DEAR EDITOR:

The Nov. 28 edition of The Vindicator asked its readers, “Should National Guard troops be removed from D.C.?” The majority responded ‘No.’ I found that somewhat surprising.

When a member of the National Guard is deployed it impacts their civilian job and family life. I often wonder how they feel about being used to support authority figures who have never dawned a uniform and normalize behaviors once considered unimaginable in democratic governance.

A simple internet inquiry reveals that many experts and local leaders argue that the National Guard is ill-suited for day-to-day law enforcement and that funding would be more effective long-term if invested in local police and community-based public safety programs. There isn’t a police department in the U.S. that could not use a boost in revenue and manpower to address their particular issues.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said that he intends to lead the military into a new era of “waste-free clarity.” Are the military deployments we are witnessing accomplishing this? Are they benefiting the Mahoning Valley in any way? The answer is “no.” The totality of these blunderbuss strategies and policies are only stripping funds from communities and persons in need. What happened to ‘promoting the general welfare?’ If only cognitive maturity and common sense could be put into a vaccine.

KIM R. KOTHEIMER

Poland