Right after World War II Congress created the National School Lunch Program as a “measure of national security.” It was a direct response to the fact that many of the young men responding to the World War II draft were rejected due to conditions arising from serious nutritional deficiencies.

Now the Associated Press reports that the Army is finding it hard to find qualified new recruits because the majority of the 32 million Americans who are 17 to 24 years old, prime age for new recruits, are too overweight, too uneducated, too flawed in some way.

Advocates for quality preschools have made a strong case for investing early to ensure that kids get the start they need to be school-ready.

Isn't it time we made the same arguments, and the same investments, in making sure older children stay healthy and engaged and learning in school so they can graduate with the skills they need? We can't keep our communities safe, our families healthy and our economy competitive -- and our armed forces up to speed -- when we're losing a third or more of our high school students before they complete their high school education. Yet Congress is now considering a budget that would cut funds for job training, education and opportunities for young people to learn and serve.

It's time to stop playing games with the federal budget and put the money where it's needed.