"There is no such thing as a single-issue struggle because we do not live single-issue lives." --Audre Lorde
Our county's grassroots campaign to "Bring the War Dollars Home/Fund Our Communities" is intended to raise awareness about excessive military spending and the need to move taxpayer dollars back to our communities.
We believe America's interests and true security lie in the well being of our people, not in multiple wars, drone strikes, and new weapons. While over half of our tax dollars go to the military, most Americans are suffering through a severe economic decline deepened by federal, state, and local budget cuts. Too many in Alamance County cannot find jobs or pay for doctors, medicine, rent, mortgages, or even groceries. School programs are being undercut and even veterans' benefits are threatened. Yet we already outspend all seventeen of the world's next largest military budgets combined.
For example, our military spending on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan alone has taken tens of thousands of lives, military and civilian, and has cost taxpayers in Alamance County over $552 million dollars in the last ten years. Military spending means cuts in education, health care, and other human services, including jobs programs.
We are joining cities across our state and nation who have held town hall meetings or community forums to endorse resolutions such as the one passed in June, 2011, by the U.S. Council of Mayors, calling on Congress "to bring the war dollars home to meet vital human needs." Click here to see a proposed Resolution for Alamance County.
Our Alamance County "Bring the War Dollars Home / Fund Our Communities" Community Forum
took place on Saturday, April 21, 2012, at the Church of the Holy Comforter in Burlington, NC
Our goal was to kick off our resolution campaign but, far beyond that, we wanted to bring to the attention of people in our county how bloated military spending is costing us locally; how it affects job creation; how vast our military is compared to that of other countries; and how destructive its uses have been.
About seventy-five people attended the Forum. Ten were candidates and elected officials, including our U.S. Congressman, Howard Coble, and his leading competitor, Tony Foriest. Although we were pleased by the turn-out, we wish all of Alamance County could have been there to hear the vital information communicated by our seven invited speakers, by others who contributed during the open forum and, yes, by the candidates and elected officials, as well. People made heartfelt and moving statements that gave a human face to the mass of information about our excessive military spending and the unmet needs at home. Their stories will remain with those who heard them. To read the Forum Program, click here.
Many people stayed to talk after the Forum concluded; and many took information sheets provided by Peace Action, American Friends Service Committee, the National Priorities Project, and the Center for Defense Information.
In putting together this program, the experiences of other groups who have undertaken similar projects were a huge help. Further information about their experiences is available at NC Peace Action.
We believe America's interests and true security lie in the well being of our people, not in multiple wars, drone strikes, and new weapons. While over half of our tax dollars go to the military, most Americans are suffering through a severe economic decline deepened by federal, state, and local budget cuts. Too many in Alamance County cannot find jobs or pay for doctors, medicine, rent, mortgages, or even groceries. School programs are being undercut and even veterans' benefits are threatened. Yet we already outspend all seventeen of the world's next largest military budgets combined.
For example, our military spending on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan alone has taken tens of thousands of lives, military and civilian, and has cost taxpayers in Alamance County over $552 million dollars in the last ten years. Military spending means cuts in education, health care, and other human services, including jobs programs.
We are joining cities across our state and nation who have held town hall meetings or community forums to endorse resolutions such as the one passed in June, 2011, by the U.S. Council of Mayors, calling on Congress "to bring the war dollars home to meet vital human needs." Click here to see a proposed Resolution for Alamance County.
Our Alamance County "Bring the War Dollars Home / Fund Our Communities" Community Forum
took place on Saturday, April 21, 2012, at the Church of the Holy Comforter in Burlington, NC
Our goal was to kick off our resolution campaign but, far beyond that, we wanted to bring to the attention of people in our county how bloated military spending is costing us locally; how it affects job creation; how vast our military is compared to that of other countries; and how destructive its uses have been.
About seventy-five people attended the Forum. Ten were candidates and elected officials, including our U.S. Congressman, Howard Coble, and his leading competitor, Tony Foriest. Although we were pleased by the turn-out, we wish all of Alamance County could have been there to hear the vital information communicated by our seven invited speakers, by others who contributed during the open forum and, yes, by the candidates and elected officials, as well. People made heartfelt and moving statements that gave a human face to the mass of information about our excessive military spending and the unmet needs at home. Their stories will remain with those who heard them. To read the Forum Program, click here.
Many people stayed to talk after the Forum concluded; and many took information sheets provided by Peace Action, American Friends Service Committee, the National Priorities Project, and the Center for Defense Information.
In putting together this program, the experiences of other groups who have undertaken similar projects were a huge help. Further information about their experiences is available at NC Peace Action.
We have glimpses of right relationships, justice and peace; these glimpses give us hope and their brevity gives us passion. --Shadra Suzanne Shoffner