Peace Dividend

The most frightening concept to come out of Washington recently is the so-called “peace dividend,” referred to by everyone with a shiny new idea in need of a buck.

There exists no dividend with its resulting infusion of cash to liberate a budget shackled by huge deficits. Any savings realized as a result of decreased defense spending are merely non-spent dollars that immediately reduce the deficit. The savings are not actual hard dollars to be spent on alternative programs.

The crisis of the federal budget is the lack of effective leadership and inability of elected representatives to make difficult decisions. The “problem” is not a lack of revenues, now approximately a trillion dollars a year.

New programs should be introduced on the basis of value after careful consideration, not on the ability of government accountants to perform various sleight of hand.

DREW J. PHILLIPS

Carson