We are all aware, albeit somewhat vaguely, that 55% of the annual Federal budget is used on military spending. It is sometimes difficult to visualize $80 billion or 55%, but the recent Canvas for Peace has presented some helpful facts.
In 1966, the U.S. troop level in the pre-Cambodian Indochina Was was less than ½ of the current level. In that year 55% of the federal tax paid by the people of St. Louis amounted to $366,000,000 — enough to provide the citizens of our area with 18 new 1,000 bed hospitals, or with 26,000 new housing units, or with 9,000 classrooms. 1966 alone! 1967?… 1968?… 1969?… 1970?…
Meanwhile poverty persists, unemployment rises, housing deteriorates, the environment becomes poisoned, classrooms overcrowd, taxes rise and rise.
Are you satisfied with our National priorities? We strongly urge you to write Senators Symington and Eagleton, and Congressman Symington. Urge them to remember their constitutional responsibility to you.
Originally published in The Paper, June 1970.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
