Indefensible Welfare

Re “Crash Program for Missile Defense May Be Just That,” Commentary, June 25: With the Republicans back in power, halcyon days have returned for the military-industrial complex. President Bush and his cohorts are rushing headlong into a trillion-dollar missile defense system that does not work, against phantom threats that do not exist. This absurd defense scheme, if enacted, will simply be a government-sponsored new welfare program for defense contractors and their employees. Hopefully, with the Democrats in control of the Senate, this ludicrous proposal will be permanently placed on the back burner.

Robert Teigan

Simi Valley