We have rifles. Vision does not

Instead of drawing wisdom from the past, we invest millions in it. Slovenia is buying weaponsbut forgets that security is not a matter of caliber, but trust.

Europe is arming again. It is as if the past has not taught us anything. Slovenian statesmen proudly proclaim multimillion -dollar purchases of military equipment, new defense funds and loyalty to the Alliance. But we have to ask ourselves: Are we safer because of more rifles? And what could you build with that money instead?

Slovenia is a country with two million inhabitants and an army that can only resist a few minutes of modern attack with best readiness. Nevertheless, blindly follows the flow of militarization. In the name of solidarity, we buy weapons that we may never use or, worse, we will. But this alliance only works in peace. At the time of the conflict, however, everyone solves their own skin. Let’s look around. Ukraine has been struggling with invasion for more than two years, but despite promises and billions of help, she has often been left alone in the most difficult times. Gaza is a daily reminder of how quickly we forget about civilians, mothers without men, children without schools. What would happen if anyone really attacked Slovenia? Will we then get help or just condolences?

Even more worrying is the blind belief in the defense industrial complex. In 2023, the whole of Europe produced about as many artillery grenades that Ukraine consumes in a few weeks. While politicians are talking about « defensive readiness », reality shows that Europe is military weak and logistically unprepared for anything, which takes more than a television report.

And Slovenia? We buy weapons. But, sorry, who will use this weapon at all? We have a critical lack of soldiers, commanders and equipment to support civil protection. But we have young people who are facing a housing crisis. We have a healthcare system that bursts at the seams. We have railways that are slower than fifty years ago. We have landscapes where there is still no basic health care or modern hospitals.

With the same amount as we devote to a weapon, we could:

• built a new fast rail link between Maribor and Ljubljana;

• restore increasing hospitals;

• created 10,000 non -profit housing for young families;

• increase investments in research and development;

• strengthen the resistance of local communities.

Vlado Kreslin In the song Those Zakartan hour He writes: “The one with the clock is less and less the right time. You know, this is the one that stood on the front and waited for anyone to say: Now. ”The hour that stood during the war remained there long after her as a quiet reminder at times when time almost stopped. Those hours are not driven by mechanics, but a memory. And us today? Instead of taking it off and wondering what she teaches us, we give her instructions again: Tik-Tak, we’re ready again. Ready for what? To repeat old mistakes? To new empty beds? It might be wiser to listen to the hour that shows no more time, but with his silence reminds us that this time was already expensive.

Dear Prime Minister, Dear Prime Minister, where is your state -forming wisdom? Dear representatives of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs and the Ministry of a Solidar Future: Do you believe that the future is really in weapons? Where is your vision of peace, prosperity and long -term security? Isn’t it right now, in times of turmoil, the task of leaders to show courage to think differently?

Security is not just a military concept. Security is that you can get to a doctor when you need it. That you have a job where you are not just a cost. Not just obey that children go to school where they teach them to think. To know that the country will protect you not only from the rifle, but also from poverty, disease and hopelessness. Slovenia no longer needs tanks. It needs more vision. The safety of the future is not measured in caliber and helicopters. It is measured in trusting people, in healthy communities, in energy independence, in the mental health of children, and in how we know how to live with one another and not against the other.

If we decide to invest in life and not to death, we will be stronger as society. However, if we continue with weapons in hand and the illusion of the Alliance in our head, history will overtake us again.

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Tomaž Erjavec, entrepreneur, athlete, book lover and dialogue.

The article is the opinion of the author and does not necessarily express the views of the editorial board.