Betsy Crites: Senate scrutiny

Ned Barnett’s Sept. 18 column on the “quiet” U.S. Senate race between Richard Burr and Deborah Ross begs the question: Do voters underestimate its importance?

Our Senate makes momentous decisions affecting every U.S. taxpayer and shaping world events. For one thing, senators strongly influence foreign policy. Since 9/11 foreign policy has been militarized with budget-busting consequences. A study from Brown University shows that our post-9/11 wars have cost us $4.70 trillion. War should be a last resort only after patient and savvy diplomacy, dependable intelligence,and international cooperation have failed.

Unfortunately, this has not been Burr’s approach. Burr voted against the START treaty with Russia and tried to scuttle the Iran nuclear agreement. As chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, he has tried to cover up the CIA report on torture. He supports Donald Trump, who has called for “waterboarding and worse” with no apparent regard for its effect on recruiting more enemies.

Voters need to look carefully at candidates for Senate or we will continue to pay dearly with endless wars and endless deficits.

This story was originally published October 1, 2016 at 4:13 PM with the headline "Betsy Crites: Senate scrutiny."