Dear Editor: Since I have been on Earth, the U.S. has been involved in war after war: World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Central America, Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan. Approximately 1,000 U.S. military bases have been built. We have an arsenal of 20,000 atomic weapons.

Why do our leaders support war? They always give justifying reasons, such as anti-fascism, anti-communism, and now anti-terrorism to stop dictators and to promote democracy.

Propagandists define so-called enemies, dehumanize the people with the consequence of wholesale killing of both Americans and a huge number of innocent people in foreign lands. Money that could be used to do good is squandered to kill.

Four groups of people promote wars:

1. Military leaders; that is their chosen occupation.

2. The industries that profit from producing military commodities.

3. Politicians who receive campaign contributions by voting for war.

4. The men and women who think being in the armed forces may be exciting and will give them some financial benefit and recognition.

Propaganda -- “our brave men and women who are fighting for our freedom” -- should be recognized for what it is: propaganda!

Instead, glorify the men and women of the group who do not volunteer, who refuse to be trained to kill and injure. Glorify the peace makers!

Stop the vicious circle of munitions makers giving money to politicians and politicians giving contracts to munitions makers to maintain war after war after war.

Joe Chern

Monona