Politicians should help the troops.

• Position: Washington PULSE

Lawmakers are doing a poor job ensuring that U.S. troops have critical equipment for the war on terrorism, says Ralph Peters, a military analyst and commentator. Members of Congress, he adds, should stop "wrapping themselves in the flag and talking about their love for the troops" when their only motivation is to put money in contractors' pockets.

The military services are spending billions of dollars on programs such as the Army future combat systems and the Air Force F-22 fighter...