IRAQ MORATORIUM CAMPAIGN – SAN FRANCISCO – February 2009
CALL FOR 25% CUT IN THE US MILITARY BUDGET AS A FIRST STEP
Goal: To persuade the Obama Administration and the Congress to make an immediate 25% cut in the military budget.
Background
Recently proposed by House Financial Services Chairman Barney Frank, a 25% cut in military spending would be an important first step towards a more fundamental restructuring of the US military, a decisive way to end the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and free up funds needed to develop a green and sustainable economy. President Obama’s plan to end certain outmoded programs and only withdraw the combat forces from Iraq – which might cut the budget as much as 10% – is not enough. End these occupations, reduce US bases and forces worldwide, and re-structure the US economy to prevent further economic meltdowns.
• 65% of the American people would cut defense by an average of 31% and redirect the funds to our current national needs.
• Statistical analysis shows that investments in health care, education and the green economy result in 50-100% more jobs than funds provided to the military. This 2007 study also found that ending the Iraq War alone would create 1,000,000 new jobs.
• The Defense Business Board, a Pentagon advisory group, has concluded that the Pentagon’s spending spree has resulted in hundreds of billions of dollars of cost overruns.
• Defense secretary Donald Rumsfeld admitted in 2001 that 25% of all defense spending was unaccounted for - an amount of 2.3 trillion dollars. A thorough audit must be conducted.
Primary Objectives and Strategy
• Convince several strong Bay Area groups and networks to support a bill in Congress;
• Persuade an effective local Congressperson to sponsor such a bill; and
• Inspire other groups around the country to join the campaign.
• Wage a long-term model campaign in the SF Bay Area, with an emphasis on the initial critical months of the Obama Administration, towards a strategic plan and movement-building:
Messaging
1. 25% Cut in the Military Budget This Year As A First Step.
2. End These Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan Now.
3. Green Jobs, Education, and Health Care, Not Military Spending!
Next Steps
Taking on the Pentagon is a long-term project. With the above messages and a clear strategy, we will bring together individuals and organizations to organize among their constituencies and in their neighborhoods to win hearts and minds in common cause and unity.
References
House Financial Services chairman Barney Frank recommends a 25% cut in defense spending:
http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081024/news/810240332/-1/news10
65% of the American people would cut the budget by 31%: 12/1/08 poll by the “Program on International Policy Attitudes”.
2007 study shows human needs investments result in 50-100% more jobs than funds provided to the military: http://www.peri.umass.edu/garrett-peltier/
25% of all Pentagon spending is unaccounted for, a total of 2.3 trillion dollars:http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/01/29/eveningnews/main325985.shtml; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kpWqdPMjmo; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rRqeJcuK-A&feature=related; http://www.dodig.osd.mil/Audit/reports/fy00/00-179.pdf