This chart represents the U.S. discretionary budget - for last year. It does not include the bailout or the massive increase Congress voted overwhelmingly to give the Pentagon for this year, according to NotMyPriorities.org.
Actions this week, marking the sixth anniversary of the U.S. invasion and occupation of Iraq, are an excellent time to make the connections and call for spending on human needs.
Organizers in San Francisco have created a postcard with the pie chart on one side and a message to President Obama on the other. They're calling for a 25 per cent cut in military spending. Here are the specifics:
Join the Iraq Moratorium Campaign. Thursday, March 19, will be the sixth anniversary of the Iraq occupation. Cut the Military Budget by 25% End the Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan Now. Jobs, Education and Health Care, Not War! United for Peace and Justice of the Bay Area is coordinating broad actions on that “unhappy birthday” with a call to Congress and the President to DEFUND war and REFUND domestic programs, including very specific social needs in our own neighborhoods. The plan is to provide a strong public presence during commute and noon hours at most of the BART stations and transit hubs in the Bay Area. Many activist and social advocacy organizations are coming forward to take responsibility for a BART station; we have 18 covered. Join the Iraq Moratorium Campaign at the Montgomery BART station from 11:30 am to 1 pm Thursday March 19. We will do outreach to the public in the area, hold banners, read the names of the dead, offer postcards and petitions to passer-by to sign, and more. IMC will organize a nonviolent direct action. If you can participate, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
