Dear Editors,

Many agree with former Vice President Dick Cheney that we have the world’s most awesome military, one that is more powerful than those of Russia and China combined. And Dick Cheney argues that we must pay any price to maintain our superior defense.

I agree that we must have a strong defense, but it is just as important that we remain committed to ensuring that America’s healthcare system for the poor soon becomes just as good as it now is for the rich. We don’t need much of a defense if we don’t do a lot more to help the poor, who often are disproportionately represented on the battlefields defending our American values.