Military Spending Cuts Could Enhance National Security and Restore Funding for Some Social Programs

Interview with Anita Dancs, research director of the National Priorities Project, conducted by Melinda Tuhus

Under the proposed federal budget for 2006, military spending totals $450 billion, seven times as much as all other homeland security and preventive measures combined. And that doesn't even include the $70 billion to $100 billion a year the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are costing. That money is not included in the defense budget due to political, not budgetary considerations/

Last week, the National Priorities Project released a study showing how $53 billion could be cut from the military budget and redirected to increase protections against terrorist attacks while also allocating $13 billion more for domestic needs. Those dollars, for example, could provide health coverage for almost three million uninsured Americans, or build more than 100,000 low-income housing units.

Between The Lines' Melinda Tuhus spoke with Anita Dancs, research director of the National Priorities Project, a non-partisan, non-profit organization. She discusses how national tax and spending policies affect the country across a broad range of issues and programs.

Contact the National Priorities Project at (413) 584- 9556 or visit their website at: www.nationalpriorities.org

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