For Ohio’s Economy and Security, Support a Strong International Affairs Budget – Colonel Frank Titus and Reverend Rebecca Tollefson
“For Ohio’s Economy and Security, Support a Strong International Affairs Budget”
By Colonel Frank Titus and Reverend Rebecca Tollefson
Columbus Local News, April 23, 2011
It seems the world is getting to be a smaller place every day, and in Ohio, we have seen why it is so important for us to be engaged in today’s interconnected world. Whether it’s the investments in the global marketplace that reap large benefits for our state and create more jobs or keeping our families safe, America must continue to be a beacon in the world.
As a military man and a leader in the faith community, it may seem like we come from different perspectives, but both of us agree on how we can keep our economy growing and our nation’s security strong. Based on our experience, we know the best way to do this is supporting a strong and effective International Affairs Budget.
If you asked most Americans how much they think we spend on International Affairs programs, they say around 25 percent of the federal budget, but it’s really only one percent. And that one percent pays big dividends for our country and our state. This small investment creates markets for Ohio goods and services around the world, funds counter-terrorism operations in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq, works to prevent conflicts in hot spots before they even occur, and builds infrastructure to supports stable societies and fight poverty and disease, both of which can cause instability and extremism.
Ohio has a proud military tradition and is currently home to over 900,000 retired service members. Our state is full of strong leaders who have made clear we now live in a very different world with new threats to our security–threats that require us to use a range of foreign policy tools, including our development and diplomatic operations alongside defense, to keep our state safe.
It may also be surprising to Ohioans that some of the biggest proponents of the International Affairs Budget are from our military. Whether it’s General David Petraeus, Joint Chief of Staff Chair Admiral Mike Mullen, or Defense Secretary Bob Gates, they know how important development experts and diplomats are to our national security. In fact, Gates said “without development we will not be successful in either Iraq or Afghanistan,” and he reminds us “development is a lot cheaper than sending soldiers.”
In addition to the national security return on investment Americans receive from the International Affairs Budget, we can see the results in a stronger economy and jobs here at home. Nearly one in five Ohio jobs now depends on trade and close to half of U.S. exports now go to the developing world. And just last month, we saw our own Ohio State University receive a $24 million grant from the U.S. Agency for International Development to improve food security in Tanzania. In this economy, we cannot afford not to invest in our International Affairs programs.
Ohio has consistently ranked as one of the top ten exporting states in the nation over the last ten years. Whether it is Honda’s Marysville Auto Plant creating 16,000 jobs for Central Ohio families or a booming export market where local businesses sold over $34 billion in products in 2009, we know international engagement has real economic benefits for our state.
Jobs for Ohio families are at stake if America does not stay actively engaged in the global economy. Competition in the world is stiff, and we can’t afford to fall behind. Our local businesses all the way up to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce tell us a strong and effective International Affairs Budget creates jobs and helps strengthen our economy.
These days, everyone is looking to cut back, from families to the government. While trimming the fat is one thing, no matter what, we cannot cut back on the essentials. And programs that protect our national security and promote economic growth are absolutely essential to our success. If we want to serve American interests in the long term and live up to the values that make us a leader in the world, we must protect the international Affairs Budget. This small investment in is a wise choice for the future of Ohio.
Reverend Rebecca Tollefson is the Executive Director of the Ohio Council on Churches. Colonel Frank Titus is retired from the United States Air Force. Both are members of the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition’s Ohio Advisory Committee.
