The politicos in Washington should be ashamed of themselves. As U.S. troops are sacrificing their lives halfway around the world, members of our nation’s &uot;leadership&uot; are bickering over details of the defense bill – or more precisely anti-terrorism items tacked onto the bill.

President Bush and the Senate Democrats are at odds over the bill financing this year’s $318 billion defense budget. Bush asked Congress to add $20 billion to the bill for additional funding needed for anti-terrorism efforts.

The Senate insists on taking $15 billion more to the bill than Bush requested.

As is the custom in all things political, a line has been drawn in the sand.

On Wednesday, Bush threatened to veto the bloated bill.

Democrats are adamant the United States needs the extra $15 billion to fund anti-terrorism efforts. Bush and the GOP contend we should spend the $20 billion allocated this year and request additional funds next year should we need more.

Sounds a bit logical to us.

Aimlessly throwing money at a problem will not make it go away. The government should have realized that fact after writing a check for $15 billion in September to the airline industry in a futile attempt to save it following the terrorist attacks.

It’s almost as if the Democrats believe if we spend more money it will prove that we care more about the country.

That’s ludicrous.

Why don’t we use a little fiscal responsibility and spend money on things for which we have an immediate need? If we need more funds later, great.

When the terrorists of the world have been eradicated, perhaps the U.S. should focus our efforts on ridding Washington of partisan nonsense.