Re: “U.S. can’t afford to keep expanding the size of its welfare state” (Oct. 27, Opinion):
There is plenty of U.S. money for humane treatment of those who need care, but most of our federal taxes go to past, current or future wars. Military spending accounts for nearly half of total discretionary spending, including life-ending nuclear weapons.
If the U.S. changed its priorities for federal spending and taxed wealth income and the multimillionaires and billionaires at a rate like progressive European countries do, then there’d be no shortage of money for health care for all, Social Security, food and housing assistance, quality education preschool through high school graduation, plus turning around the climate disaster we’re in.
A robust social safety net is not a welfare state, it’s upholding “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” and “justice for all.” What we can’t afford is militarism, environmental destruction, and oligarchy.
Let’s unite in improving our economic and electoral systems and protect/enhance the well-being of all life.
Michael Siptroth, Belfair
