Hey, General, can you spare a dime???

$642 billion for the Military? This year? You must be kidding!

By davidswanson

The FY 2013 military budget (NDAA) is up for a vote in the House this Friday. It contains more than $642 billion of taxpayer money to pay for a war the majority of Americans oppose; nuclear upgrades that threaten non-proliferation agreements; programs and weapons that even the Pentagon doesn't want. The bill also promotes reckless threats on Iran, enables reckless actions by Israel and prohibits the transfer of prisoners from Guantanamo to the United States.

It's not just the Republicans, who are at fault. The majority of Democrats on the House Armed Services Committee have voted in favor, producing a lopsided 56-5 margin for an outrageous bill. Partisan rhetoric should not obscure the reality that if this over-sized military budget passes the Congress, it will be paid for by programs that affect the most vulnerable- food stamps, school lunches, health insurance for low income children, "Meals-on Wheels" for the elderly.

With $88 billion authorized to continue the war in Afghanistan. Barbara Lee has introduced a clear amendment (#158) to cut all funding except for the purpose of withdrawing all of our troops safely from Afghanistan. Representatives McGovern, Conyers, Kucinich, Frank and others have introduced strong amendments aimed at stopping the war, preventing a military confrontation with Iran, curtailing the use of drones and cutting the size of the budget. (Not certain which of these amendments the Republican majority will allow on the floor.)

Members of Congress need to hear from you today

Call the Capitol Switchboard 1-877-429-0678. *toll free number provided by FCNL)


*Ask your Representatives to support ALL amendments designed to end the war in Afghanistan, avoid a military intervention in Iran, curtail drone attacks and eliminate waste, fraud and abuse in the military budget.


*And when it comes time for a vote on the entire Pentagon budget bill (H.R. 4310) let your Representative know that the FY 2013 National Defense Authorization Act does not reflect the priorities of their constituents. The only reasonable vote on a $642 billion Pentagon bill is a NO vote.

Link:
http://warisacrime.org/content/642-billion-military-year-you-must-be-kidding?