In response to Larry Hoffner’s “School funding” letter [Feb. 18]: I agree that we should cut back on part of our military budget. It’s been a waste to have U.S. troops fighting skirmishes overseas for the past 20 years.

If we are going to go into battle, we should have Congress declare war, as specified in the U.S. Constitution. We should also spend our treasury funds constitutionally. We could accomplish this by following the Constitution and not spending federal funds on housing, welfare schemes, environmentalism and (yes) education.

All of these and similar federal programs can be handled more appropriately at the state and local level. Deficit spending will bankrupt our nation. Follow the Constitution.

—David Hammer, retired