The Nation - News from April 13, 1986

A 54% majority of Americans currently perceives the United States and the Soviet Union to be about equal in nuclear strength, the largest proportion to do so in Gallup surveys spanning the last four years. At the same time, a 47% plurality believes the United States is spending too much rather than too little for defense, while 36% think the military budget is “about the right amount.” These views may be influenced, in part, by the perception that about one-third of each tax dollar spent for defense (37 cents) is wasted.