Opposition to Building More B-2s

“No Need for More B-2s, Clinton Says” (Feb. 9) suggests that about 25,000 jobs would be lost in California if no additional B-2 bombers are to be built. This is bad news for the people involved but jobs should not be the justification for spending more than $40 billion for unnecessary B-2s. The government would be far better advised to create real, non-defense jobs.

Much work is waiting to be done--repairing roads and bridges, water and sewer plants, building schools or parks and many other projects. Much of this work could be done by unskilled workers.

It is criminal to spend $265 billion a year on defense--with no credible enemy on the horizon--while failing to create living-wage jobs for down-and-out citizens who cannot find work. Our real enemy today is not some foreign military power but poverty, homelessness and crime, particularly in our inner cities where violence has become a way of life. It is more vital to spend billions on real, living-wage jobs for America’s disadvantaged than on B-2 bombers.

JAMES C. MOSLEY

Laguna Hills

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* Re “Pentagon Opposition Shot Down New B-2s,” Feb. 10: At last! Some common sense from, of all places, the Pentagon. No matter what their self-centered reasons, Pentagon officials’ agreement with the Clinton administration to curtail further construction of the B-2 bomber is a wise one.

Arguments of congressional representatives from California and other states are pointless. Claiming that the bomber has a “uniquely military value” as well as an economic role is baseless. Did Ford continue to build the Edsel just to keep people employed? The fact is defense contractors have had a number of years to retool their industry for a post-Cold War world. All one has to do is look at Hughes to see that it can be done.

As for working people who chose to remain in the defense industry, wake up! The only thing that remains to be done now is cut the defense budget in half and stop construction on the ridiculously useless F-22 being built in Newt Gingrich’s backyard.

RICK LEE

Venice

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* Regarding the B-2 bomber production: It appears Bill Clinton has waffled again. I guess he thinks he can win the election without California’s electoral votes.

MARK NOOGER

Santa Clarita

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* Regarding Clinton’s desire to not purchase more B-2 jets in order to save $20 billion, and Gov. Pete Wilson’s angry response: I can only say that it seems that everyone wants to reduce government spending--but only if government cuts are not made in their backyard. Does anyone else see a problem here?

COREY HOLLIS

Los Angeles