General asks cut in nuclear stockpile — what are we waiting for?

by Diane Aronson, former executive director of WAND

Published: August 10, 2012 by The Boston Globe

Thirty years ago I joined a band of women to work toward freezing and reversing the buildup of nuclear weapons, as the first executive director of an organization now called Women’s Action for New Directions. As mothers, we were concerned about the safety and future for our children. With current unrest in the world, awareness is as critical as the days during the Cold War and, today, we add concern for our grandchildren.

I commend General Norton A. Schwartz for speaking with sound reason and logic as outlined in the article “ US general asks cut in nuclear stockpile” (Page A1, Aug. 6). One would think that if military officials are in favor of reducing our bloated and old nuclear weapons stockpile, leaders in Congress would act. Yet Republicans, such as Senators John McCain, Lindsey Graham, and Kelly Ayotte, continue to claim that reducing this useless reserve would harm our national security and cost the United States jobs.

The United States has more nuclear weapons deployed than any potential foe, and economists have found that investing tax dollars in areas other than the Pentagon creates more jobs. It’s time to listen to military leaders. It’s time to reduce nuclear weapons and wasteful Pentagon spending.