The editorial page cartoon in the July 1 issue was not only poorly timed, it was misleading and in very poor taste, this week in particular when we are celebrating the independence and freedom of this nation.

The cartoon infers that the Department of Defense budget will not be cut, and that all the social service departments will have to be cut to pay the government’s bills.

According to USA Today, the Defense Department’s budget has already been cut by $492 billion and, if Congress does not act before the end of the year, the department will lose another $500 billion over the next 10 years, starting in 2013.

Freedom is not free. Since 2001, many people have been concerned about freedom. Our defense has kept the bad guys on the move elsewhere and they have not been able to repeat the Twin Tower debacle. How much defense spending can be cut before there is another disaster?

Members of the Armed Services are giving or risking their lives, limbs and health every day so Americans can be free and feel safe. The announced first cut in defense will cause 40,000 young men/women, who volunteered to protect us, to be forced out of their jobs and service to their country.

All the pundits have yet to say what the next huge cut in defense will mean, except that it will be a “catastrophe.”

How comfortable and less safe will this nation be on July 4, 2013, if America lets its guard down and does not know the outcome?

Bob De Mont, Paris