For 75 years Russia and the United States have been mortal enemies. We are diametrically opposed in our views on human rights, economic systems, political systems; everything. Hundreds of billions of dollars are spent by both countries to arm ourselves against each other. Humans have been to the moon as a result of Russian and U.S. competition. A new human existence known as “fear of mutual destruction” came into being. And now we’re dealing with pro-Russian U.S. congressmen? For two months, House Speaker Mike Johnson has refused to let Congress vote on a Ukraine aid package. He doesn’t want to help Ukraine and he knows the bill would pass easily if he allowed Congress to vote on it. Last year’s aid package passed by a vote of 368-57.

For two years, Ukraine, a country the size of Texas, has protected itself and the rest of Europe from Vladimir Putin’s nuclear-armed forces totaling 1.1 million members and a budget of $86 billion/year. They are essentially fighting our war for us. Ukraine is supplying the sunflower fields as battlegrounds and they are supplying the dying soldiers by tens of thousands. The least we can do is provide them with equipment and ammunition. Equipment which is bought from American defense contractors and their employees by Uncle Sam. It is not given to Ukraine as a blank check. Tell Mike Johnson to just schedule a vote.

Russell Perkins

Concord