Every year, the Peace Economy Project takes a letter to Congress calling for the reduction of military spending to save our domestic needs and safety net programs, and the signatures of those who sign on. Add your name to the letter, and we’ll be sure to deliver it to your Congressperson and Senators in Washington, DC. Thank you very much for your participation.
Dear <<we will enter your congressperson’s name here>>,
For years, the Peace Economy Project has advocated for reducing military spending. Unfortunately, Congress and the White House continue to spend billions of dollars on Pentagon programs that are unnecessary. The massive amount of wasted dollars could instead be spent to protect the most vulnerable at home and abroad.
National security is important. The world is an ever-changing place. We agree that the federal government must protect the American people; however, we strongly believe that security at home and abroad must be achieved in ways other than constantly building up the military.
We stand by our belief that the following are all excellent examples of programs where spending can be reduced, safely, without compromising national security:
(1) the F35 Joint Striker Fighter Jet, the most expensive weapons system in history; (2) the modernization of the nuclear arsenal, which amounts to billions of dollars on weapons we will never use; and (3) the elimination of the Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) Fund, a slush fund that has no oversight or transparency.
We believe that the dollars saved should be used to increase funding for the following:
Education: is a top priority for the majority of Americans. Programs such as Pell Grants are crucial to ensuring our country’s growth. Pell Grants help students from families with low-to-moderate income access higher education. Research from the Department of Education found that Pell Grant recipients get their degrees faster than other students. Maintaining funding for this vital program is one way to fund human needs.
Infrastructure: this is a necessary expenditure. Missouri has received a C- rating from the American Civil Society of Engineers (ACSE). Nearly 3,500 bridges in Missouri are structurally deficient. The ACSE estimates Missouri will need nearly $9 billion over the next decade to meet drinking water needs. Investing in projects such as bridges and drinking water are needs that cannot be ignored by our legislators.
Refugee Resettlement: as the United States accepts refugees from around the world, funding for programs such as the Refugee and Entrant Assistant account is important. This account helps welcome refugees and supports them as they become self-sufficient. We already have a very strong refugee screening process. We must have an equally strong refugee resettlement program.
These fiscal times are tough. Difficult decisions about how to spend our money are going to be made. We hope that you choose to prioritize human life and dignity above war and the profit of war.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely.
Members and Friends of the Peace Economy Project
