In 2012, world military expenditures totaled $1.75 trillion and, once again, the world's biggest military spender by far was the U.S. government, whose outlays for war and preparations for war amounted to $682 billion -- 39 percent of the global total. The United States spent more than four times as much on the military as China (the number two big spender) and more than seven times as much as Russia (which ranked third). Thus, although studies have found that the United States ranks 17th among nations in education, 26th in infant mortality, and 37th in overall health, there is no doubt that it ranks first when it comes to war.

Although the Lockheed Martin Corporation is an immensely wealthy business enterprise, it is battling for a multimillion dollar handout from the State of Maryland. And the legislators of that state, cozy with Lockheed Martin, seem en route to authorizing it.

At this time of severe cutbacks in government funding for food stamps, early childhood education, and meals on wheels, some Maryland legislators are hard at work in an attempt to shovel millions of dollars into the coffers of one of the world's wealthiest corporations: Lockheed Martin.

As you claim that your major goal is to reduce the deficit by cutting federal government spending, why not significantly reduce the $640 billion that nuclear weapons and related programs are slated to cost over the next decade? This vast government expenditure is not only unnecessary, but undermines the free enterprise system you praise so lavishly.

Although Obama won the 2008 election and entered office proclaiming a firm commitment to eliminating all nuclear weapons, there are numerous indications that that goal is being jettisoned.

Gun control issues are remarkably similar to arms control issues, for both deal with the problem posed by the availability of weapons.

This collection of scholarly articles by historians has much to tell Americans about the reality -- rather than the glamourized version -- of World War II.

Norman Cousins, founder and co-chair of the National Committee for a Sane Nuclear Policy, played a key role in initiating and bringing to fruition the world's first formal nuclear arms control agreement.

Edward Wilson's new espionage novel does much to illuminate the Cold War crisis of the early 1960s -- and also provides an excellent read.

The disinterest of most Americans in the religious dimensions of Christmas reflects corporate-inculcated consumerism, which has become America's true religion.