Move the Money: National Peace Action agenda adopted by Peace Action Maine
The “defense” budget is costing more than the US can afford – or at least, more than the country is willing to pay for.
Our interests are greater than this. Our opposition to war, weapons and aggression are about much more than budget. Promoting public awareness about a society of interdependent peace and justice remains our call.
At this time, it is all threatened. Money that supports weapons as well as money utterly wasted is all taken for granted, while opposition to Social Security, health care, education, climate and environmental responsibility, are considered to be the places to cut expenditures.
There will be job loss no matter how Congress addresses budget cuts or faces sequester. It is important to remember there is greater job loss in the public sector than there would be with Pentagon cuts, although jobs will be lost in all cases, even though the media seems focused on the job losses related to Pentagon spending cuts.
Here is where Peace Action Maine is stepping forward with important action. Our Washington officials may seem to vote often as we would hope, there is more to this. We must not take them for granted. We need to let them know when we appreciate votes as well as when we make appeals.
There needs to be public awareness as this relates to Maine as a state as well, and people don’t always realize the effects of proposed cuts. It’s important to build as broad support as possible for sensible economic decisions.