Is Nuclear Money Wasted Money?
Money spent by the United States on its nuclear arsenal is not money that has been wasted. As to the question of whether money spent by the U.S. on nuclear weapons is a waste and whether it would be better spent to reduce the deficit, provide education, or give health care, the answer is no. Money spent on increasing or maintaining the United States’ nuclear arsenal is not money spent on war or terrorism but rather money that is spent on protection. The Berlin Wall fell in 1989, marking the end of the Cold War, but that does not mean that nuclear war is no longer a threat to the safety and lives of the American citizens. Every dollar spent on increasing the United States nuclear arsenal is a dollar spent …show more content…
Having a strong nuclear arsenal not only deters potential attacks against the U.S. but also protects American allies against potential attacks as well. The Cold War never turned into a “hot war” partially due to the fact of mutually assured destruction and this remains one of the reasons that Russia has still not attacked the U.S. to this day. If another nation launches a nuclear attack against the U.S. then they would likely be hit back fast and hard. Deputy Defense Secretary Bob Work is quoted as saying “While we seek a world without nuclear weapons, we face the harsh reality that Russia and China are rapidly modernizing their already capable nuclear arsenals- and North Korea intends to develop nuclear weapons and the means to deliver them against the United States. A strong nuclear deterrent force will remain critical to our national security.” Another way that the ownership of nuclear weapons benefits the U.S. is that other nations are more likely to form an alliance with the U.S. knowing that if they are attacked that the U.S. has nuclear weapons that can aid them. In addition, nuclear weapons can be an influential negotiating tool. Other nations are hesitant to not comply with a country that has the kind of nuclear power the U.S. does. This is especially true when negotiating with countries that have not successfully tested or hold nuclear
Money spent by the United States on its nuclear arsenal is not money that has been wasted. As to the question of whether money spent by the U.S. on nuclear weapons is a waste and whether it would be better spent to reduce the deficit, provide education, or give health care, the answer is no. Money spent on increasing or maintaining the United States’ nuclear arsenal is not money spent on war or terrorism but rather money that is spent on protection. The Berlin Wall fell in 1989, marking the end of the Cold War, but that does not mean that nuclear war is no longer a threat to the safety and lives of the American citizens. Every dollar spent on increasing the United States nuclear arsenal is a dollar spent …show more content…
Having a strong nuclear arsenal not only deters potential attacks against the U.S. but also protects American allies against potential attacks as well. The Cold War never turned into a “hot war” partially due to the fact of mutually assured destruction and this remains one of the reasons that Russia has still not attacked the U.S. to this day. If another nation launches a nuclear attack against the U.S. then they would likely be hit back fast and hard. Deputy Defense Secretary Bob Work is quoted as saying “While we seek a world without nuclear weapons, we face the harsh reality that Russia and China are rapidly modernizing their already capable nuclear arsenals- and North Korea intends to develop nuclear weapons and the means to deliver them against the United States. A strong nuclear deterrent force will remain critical to our national security.” Another way that the ownership of nuclear weapons benefits the U.S. is that other nations are more likely to form an alliance with the U.S. knowing that if they are attacked that the U.S. has nuclear weapons that can aid them. In addition, nuclear weapons can be an influential negotiating tool. Other nations are hesitant to not comply with a country that has the kind of nuclear power the U.S. does. This is especially true when negotiating with countries that have not successfully tested or hold nuclear