On the recordApril 17, 2012
On tax day, remember the ramifications of waging wars abroad. In 2011, 39 percent of our income tax dollars went to the Pentagon and war, only 9 percent for trade, commerce, education, and employment programs. The Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation estimates the war in Iraq and Afghanistan cost the average American family of four almost $13,000 in 2011 alone. National unemployment rates continue to be between 9 and 10 percent, while our families struggle to pay their mortgages, send their kids to school, and feed their families. Compared to the approximately $159 billion budgeted in fiscal year 2011 for wars, the $6 billion Congress budgeted for the Workforce Investment Act, primary Federal programs supporting workforce development, is paltry. We have nearly 23 million Americans either unemployed or underemployed and about 5.5 million who have been unemployed for 27 weeks or more. Wake up, America. Wars are ruining our economy. On tax day, remember our government has a responsibility to use our money wisely, not to waste hard-earned tax dollars on unnecessary wars. The answer to war and economic decline is peace and prosperity. ____________________
