In response to “Top US and UK diplomats pledge almost $1.5 billion in aid for Ukraine” (KJ, Sept. 12). In this article it was stated: “Ukrainian officials renewed their pleas to use Western-provided missiles against targets deeper inside Russia.” Bad idea. People mistakenly think if Russia is having difficulties in Ukraine, they possibly can’t handle a war with America and our Allies. The truth is war comes in different forms beyond military. Using the same essence, but in different form is economic. Russia is the largest supplier of natural gas to Europe which has a number of our Allies. At the end of October, BRICS nations are having 150 countries vote to use Central Bank Digital Currency to boycott the U.S. dollar. The less people that use our currency, the less our currency is worth.

Another factor is our national debt is over $34 trillion. If we can’t get other nations to keep funding our debt, we will default. The fact is the problem with being the No. 1 superpower, is that other nations want the same position and will make alliances to make that reality. This doesn’t even include people who have crossed our borders illegally and are ready to commit forms of terrorism that would devastate our economy. Imagine right here in Augusta if all of our bridges were destroyed. It’s not like we could rebuild them overnight and even if we could, it would take a lot of money.  Add to that if every bridge was taken out in every major U.S. city at the same exact moment.

In conclusion, we need to back off trying to give Russia a reason to start a war with us. We need to concentrate on our economic weaknesses, instead of focusing on creating new ones.

Doug Papa

Augusta