Military spending not welcomed by all

RE: More muscle in our military (June 12)

Though this war-making is a dramatic shift for the Canadian government, it is one that is neither timely nor welcomed by all Canadians.

Sixty-two billion over 20 years could be much better spent on long-term and hospice care, on affordable housing, on increases to support payments of all kinds, and other social and humane needs. There is no reason at all to support the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, but there is great reason in abiding by international law (and, thus, refusing to engage any longer in Canada’s illegal war in Syria); there is no reason at all to support Freeland and Sajjan’s “hard power” as it tries to shore up the failing Pax Americana, a peace that is founded on, in Thomas Merton’s phrase, “the freedom to rob others without interruption.”

In uncertain times, the best investment is in one’s own backyard, place, neighbourhood and community — not for property value but for the good of people — and the best alignment is one toward humility, care and concern for the least among us — not through the creation, by war-making, of more people who are fearful, angry, dispossessed and endlessly searching for places to rest.

If this march continues, a country in the wrong direction, that country will continue to deserve disrespect; if this march continues, count me out of it, standing for peace with others of peace. Josh Weresch, Hamilton