Move the Money

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New Priorities Network Launches Federal Priorities Campaign
Climb Aboard!

June 2011

War Times whole-heartedly supports the work that New Priorities Network is doing to redirect U.S. spending from war to human needs. Right now the network is focusing on amplifying grassroots demand for a budget that does just that. They are asking folks to respond to a poll on three very different possible federal budgets for 2012. Here's what they say:

This year’s federal budget debate will shape the future of this country for years to come.  There are three proposals that reflect starkly different values, visions and priorities for the nation.

Please join us in a campaign that will:

• bring tens of thousands of people into the public debate on the budget
• pressure Congress to cut military spending by hundreds of billions of dollars a year
• call for shifting funds to our communities and people in need
• put military spending on the map for the media and the 2012 race
• cement working relationships between the economic justice and peace movements

Click here to take the poll.

The campaign has two legs:

1. An online poll where people can choose between the GOP budget, President Obama’s budget, and the “People’s Budget” created by the Congressional Progressive Caucus. You can “vote” to cut military spending and end the wars, increase taxes for corporations and wealthy individuals, create jobs, and strengthen our safety net.
2. Town Hall Meetings on jobs, taxes, democracy – and the People’s Budget.

You can publicize the online poll by email, Facebook, and Twitter; help organize a Town Hall Meeting in your city; and pull in organizations you know.

If you need more information about participating, contact the New Priorities Network by clicking here.

May 2011

It's Past Time to "Move the Money" from War-Making to Human Needs.

The good news is that we don't have to wait for the federal government to act. We can start organizing locally - in our own towns, cities and states.

Forty-six states are cutting their budgets. Sixteen to 100 cities could face bankruptcy this year. Local governments are closing libraries and schools, cutting vital safety net programs, selling off valuable public assets, and trying to balance their budgets on the backs of their employees.
 
People are hurting and they’re angry. We can turn that anger into a political crowbar by using local resolutions to end the wars, cut Pentagon spending, and fund our communities. A resolution campaign will allow you to:

• Build an ongoing coalition with unions, community organizations, and people who are being hurt by budget cuts and layoffs;

Hold public hearings that mobilize your coalition, bring in new people, publicize our campaign, put pressure on elected officials, and start a real dialogue about our national priorities;

• Conduct an energetic and creative public relations and educational campaign,
• Engage local elected officials in pressing Congress to adopt our new priorities;
• Put real grassroots pressure on your member of Congress; and
• Build relationships that you will need in our multi-year campaign to cut war spending and fund our communities. 

For more details see www.newprioritiesnetwork.org.