Dear America, stop obsessing over Islamic extremists, cut way back on military spending, and start investing in education, infrastructure, diplomacy and health care. Your truly, the Joint Chiefs of staff, Pentagon

An article written under the pseudonym Mr. Y. grabbed my attention this week. The article has a bold thesis, even more surprising given who the mysterious Mr. Y turns out to be.

It argues that the United States has embraced an entirely wrong set of priorities, particularly with regard to its federal budget. We have overreacted to Islamic extremism. We have pursued military solutions instead of political ones.

Y says we are underinvesting in the real sources of national power - our youth, our infrastructure and our economy. The United States sees the world through the lens of threats, while failing to understand that influence, competitiveness and innovation are the key to advancing American interests in the modern world.  Y says that above all we must invest in our children.  Only by educating them properly will we ensure our ability to compete in the future.