Q: What Is the True Cost of U.S. Militarism?.

• Position: ONE QUESTION

ALLEN HESTER

Legislative representative at the Friends Committee on National Legislation

The costs of American militarism are far-reaching, in terms of both financial and human impact. The United States spends more on its military per year than any other country in the world ($858 billion). Imagine what else we could be doing with just a fraction of that money?

Militarism perpetuates a cycle of violence that harms countless individuals and communities both domestically and abroad. Military operations often result in civilian casualties, displacement, and environmental destruction. The trauma inflicted on soldiers, both physical and psychological, can have lifelong consequences.

The resources devoted to military operations could instead be used to address urgent social and environmental challenges, such as poverty, health care, education, and climate change.

We must prioritize peace and diplomacy as alternatives to the never-ending cycle of war and violence.

MARK POCAN

Democratic U.S. Representative for Wisconsin's Second Congressional District

The United States spends more on defense than the next nine countries combined. It's almost the same amount of funding that the Environmental Protection Agency, Departments of Education, Energy, Commerce, Health and Human Services, State, Housing and Urban Development, and Agriculture all receive.

Congress continues to authorize too much defense spending with too little accountability. The Department of Defense still can't pass an audit of the funding it receives, which is a requirement of virtually every other agency.

We need to stop rewarding the building of amphibious vehicles that sink unready projects like the F-35 fighter jet, which still has hundreds of deficiencies that have not been addressed, and Ford-class aircraft carriers with toilets that cost $400,000 in chemicals to flush when clogged. Yes, we...