Action: On Tax Day – Where Is Your Money Going?

Legislative Action Message

Action: On Tax Day – Where Is Your Money Going? Printer-friendly version of this alert Read this alert online at: http://www.fcnl.org/action/2007/lam0412.htm Taxes. We know they’re important, but almost everyone dreads the task of paying them.The next few days are a great time to remind your local media of just how much money the United States government spends on war, and how little money is devoted to preventing wars, protecting the environment, and responding to poverty in the U.S. FCNL’s budget team calculates that 41 cents out of every dollar that you pay in 2006 federal income taxes before April 17 goes to the military – to pay for both current and past military activities. That figure is the clearest reflection of how the federal government spends your tax dollars. Of every dollar you pay in taxes: 1 cent goes to diplomacy and development; 5 cents goes to education, job training, and social services 12 cents goes to respond to poverty in the United States 41 cents goes to war This budget is out of balance. And it will get more out of balance in the next year. Congress will vote next week to pay another $100 billion for the war and occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan. Shouldn’t the government spend more to prevent war, address the environmental challenges facing this country, and promote education? Join the debate about federal taxes. Take Action The focus on tax day in your local community, in your local newspapers, and in Congress provides an opportunity to challenge federal spending priorities. Here are three ways you can refocus attention on new federal policies: Print out copies of FCNL’s “Where Do Our Income Tax Dollars Go” flyer ( PDF) and distribute it in your community; Write a message to your local newspapers and send them a copy of FCNL’s tax day flyer; Write your representative and urge her or him to cosponsor legislation that would permit conscientious objectors to war to pay their taxes into an Religious Freedom Peace Tax Fund Background FCNL’s budget priorities Try your hand at reshaping the federal budget (courtesy of Ben and Jerry's) ________________________________________ Contact Congress and the administration. Order FCNL publications and "War is Not the Answer" campaign bumper stickers and yard signs. Contribute to FCNL. Subscribe or update your information to this list. Subscribe to other FCNL legislative, policy, and action alert lists. ________________________________________ Friends Committee on National Legislation 245 Second St. NE, Washington, DC 20002-5795 fcnl@fcnl.org * http://www.fcnl.org phone: (202)547-6000 * toll-free: (800)630-1330 We seek a world free of war and the threat of war We seek a society with equity and justice for all We seek a community where every person's potential may be fulfilled We seek an earth restored.