To the Editor:
What can we, as taxpayers, do to ensure our tax payments go to constructive, nonviolent solutions rather than violence forced upon people here and around the globe? One legal way is to examine your finances and earn under a taxable income (go to IRS.gov to determine this amount). Another way is to re-direct all or some of your tax payment to life affirming projects in your community or the 9 alternative funds set up around the country. For information on war tax resistance, visit the Maine War Tax Resistance Resource Center’s website: mainewtr.nwtrcc.org
The War Resisters League pie chart indicates 48 percent of every tax dollar pays for past and present military expenditures. Trump’s proposed budget slashes the social safety and critical agencies such as the EPA to pay for $54 billion in increased military spending. We need investment in infrastructure to lift people out of poverty with good-paying jobs, not big raises for “defense” manufacturer executives. For example, in 2013 General Dynamics, Bath Iron Works’ owner, granted its CEO a $12 million dollar raise for a total salary of $19 million.
Military personnel opposed to war may become conscientious objectors against war and killing. However, taxpayers don’t have the same option because the Peace Tax Fund, which allows conscientious objectors to redirect their taxes for peaceful purposes, has never been seriously considered by Congress. By taking back the power through how we invest our taxes, we can change the dynamic, pass the Peace Tax Fund and divest from military spending.
Our children deserve a better future and the schools to make the future possible. Our elders deserve economic security and we all deserve affordable health care. It’s our money, let’s choose to spend it in a way that serves us all.
Leslie Manning, Jason Rawn and Ginny Schneider
for the Maine War Tax Resistance Resource Center Discernment Committee
