Hightower Lowdown

Next year, the Pentagon will take $463 billion of our
taxes—more than will be appropriated for the environment,
education, energy, agriculture, housing, job training, poverty needs, science, national parks, and eery other federal program combined. But the Pentagon’s haul does not include fighting a war. War is extra! For example, the $363 billion for Bush’s war of lies inIraq is all off-budget—he’s putting that on the credit cards of our kids and grandkids.

A group called Business Leaders for Sensible Priorities wants to trim a mere $60 billion in fat, pork, and pure lard that now goes to the likes of Boeing, Lockheed, and
Halliburton for weaponry boondoggles that don’t work or aren’t needed. This would not take a dime from our troops in Bush’s war—and it would still leave the Pentagon
brass with more money than the rest of the world
combined spends on their militaries. With this $60 billion slice, we could provide HeadStart for every child in America, guarantee health care for every child, rebuild every single American school, establish energy
independence for our country through renewable
fuels…and so much more.To support Sensible
Priorities, call 212-243-3416.