Tell Congress to Reduce Military Spending
and Fund Domestic Programs
April 15th, Tax Day, is notorious in the United States -- a day when millions of people fork over thousands of their hard-earned tax dollars to the federal government. But, hard-earned does not mean well-spent, as nearly half of what you pay in federal income taxes is sent directly to the Pentagon!
Hundreds of billions of U.S. taxpayer dollars continue to pour into senseless and brutal wars--killing scores of people, destroying whole countries, and making even more enemies. But we hear daily claims that there is no money to create a substantial U.S. jobs program, despite double-digit unemployment. We are told we cannot afford comprehensive health-care reform. We are told insufficient funds are available to build a truly green economy, which could slow climate change. We're told we cannot afford the desperately needed overhaul of our roads and bridges. And state economies are in shambles, so funding for education, housing and other human services, is quickly drying up.
Starkly juxtaposing these claims is the singularly horrifying fact that about 50% of every income tax dollar is allocated to the Pentagon. Furthermore, the U.S. Government is dishonest with the American people and grossly distorts this fact. It hides military debt in other areas of the budget,thereby giving the allusion that only 24 percent of income tax money goes into the military machine and U.S. wars. Each year, the War Resisters League analyzes the proposed budget--released by the government in January--and more accurately depicts the military portion, in our accessibly written flyer, Where Your Income Tax Money Really Goes.
Tell Congress to Reduce Military Spending
and Fund Domestic Programs
How much longer will tax-payers continue funding the military-industrial complex at the expense of true security? People are legitimately worried about jobs. But the increase in military spending since 2000 could cost the economy close to two million jobs in the long run.
Imagine what would be possible in the U.S.—substantially increasing employment, rebuilding and strengthening our infrastructure and schools, funding healthcare and affordable housing, developing renewable energy -- if we could at long last unshackle ourselves from a crippling war economy. Imagine the ways our communities and cities could thrive if we finally move towards a peace economy?
More information on how our figures were determined.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About the WRL Pie Chart.
Tell Congress to Reduce Military Spending
and Fund Domestic Programs
