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News :: Miscellaneous |
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Where Do Our Income Taxes Really Go? |
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by Meridith
Email: bmmk (nospam) soltec.net (unverified!) |
10 Mar 2002
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With April 16th drawing near, I decided research where my income taxes will be spent... |
Where Do Our Income Taxes Really Go?
With April 16th drawing near, I decided research where my income taxes will be spent. Each year, the War Resisters League creates a leaflet, based on U.S. government figures, to answer this question. Prior to September 11th, forty-seven percent of the U.S. federal budget for fiscal year 2002 was allocated for military-related purposes. Some are arguing even more military spending is needed to make us safer in this time of war. This is a misguided short-term view. Sacrificing civil liberties and increasing weapon spending will not make anyone safe in the long run. Military spending fails to address the root causes of violence and as long as it is prioritized over basic needs such as housing, health care, and education we can only expect the cycle of violence to continue. My taxes will also fund the School of the Americas, a terrorist training school in Fort Benning, Georgia. Additionally, the most recent U.S. State Department’s Human Rights Report cited many recipients of U.S. aid (taxpayer’s money) in the current anti-terror campaign as guilty of long-standing human rights violations. Countries currently receiving aid while linked to the terrorization of civilian populations include Colombia, Turkey, Israel, Pakistan, and Uzbekistan. It is infuriating that my tax dollars are being used to undermine democracy and human rights to further the interests of global elites. Friends who participate in National War Tax Resistance make more sense every day. What do you think? |
