Take a look at the recently submitted Common Sense Budget Act of 2006, which has as its purpose, “To reallocate funds toward sensible priorities such as improved children’s education, increased children’s access to health care, expanded job training, and increased energy efficiency and conservation through a reduction of wasteful defense spending, and for other purposes.” As one of the bills sponsors, Lynn Woolsey (D-CA) puts it, “What better serves the cause of national security? Investment in first responders, energy independence and global nutrition…or billions that we’re still pouring into the F-22A Raptor, which was designed to outpace Soviet fighter jets?”

This is in line with the budget that the American public would design if it was in control, according to the Program on International Policy Attitudes, which conducted a survey where respondents were presented with the major items of the discretionary budget, including a breakdown of the proposed funding for each item, and given an opportunity to redistribute the funds as they saw fit. The IPA reports that, “The largest cut by far is to defense spending, which is reduced by nearly one-third, followed by spending on Iraq and Afghanistan, transportation and justice. The largest increases are to reductions in the deficit, various forms of social spending and spending on the environment.”

According to The Hill, the newspaper for and about the U.S. Congress, the Common Sense Budget Act of 2006 “closely parallels a plan put together by Larry Korb,” who served as President Reagan’s assistant secretary of defense from 1981-85 and who was responsible for administering about 70% of the defense budget. The plan is also supported by a list of retired admirals and generals, including the former commander of the U.S. Second Fleet, and the 650 current and former CEOs and business leaders that make up the Business Leaders for Sensible Priorities.

If you think, with Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA), that “It’s time for Congress and the House to talk about the huge amount of tax dollars going for weapons systems designed to fight a Cold War that doesn’t exist,” support the Common Sense Budget Act of 2006 by signing the petition at TrueMajority.org.