Fw: Where Do Your Federal Tax Dollars Go?

----- Original Message -----
From: "Kathy Guthrie"
To: "Miriam Vieni"
Sent: Wednesday, April 13, 2005 11:35 AM
Subject: FCNL: Where Do Your Federal Tax Dollars Go?

An article this week in Parade Magazine, which is distributed to more
than 15 million people nationwide in Sunday newspapers, offers an
opportunity to engage Friends, neighbors, and local opinion leaders in
a discussion about federal tax policy as tax day approaches.

"Where Does Your Tax Money Go?," asks David Wallechinsky, in
an article that highlights the fact that the U.S. spends as much money
on its military as all other nations combined. The article goes on to
state that 21 percent of your income taxes are spent on the military.

In fact, the percentage of your federal income taxes devoted to the
military is much higher. FCNL calculates that about 42 cents of every
income tax dollar last year was spent on current and past wars and
preparations for future wars. At the same time, the U.S. spends less
than a penny of each tax dollar to promote diplomacy, international
cooperation, humanitarian and development aid, and efforts to
peacefully prevent deadly conflicts. You can find information on how we
arrive at these figures here:
http://capwiz.com/fconl/utr/1/EFVLEOHZYR/MYCWEOIHKI/

Taxes and paying taxes will be on the minds of millions of people this
week. The IRS estimates that at least 10 million people will be paying
their taxes in the next few days. The Parade Magazine article has also
focused attention on how our federal tax dollars are spent. This is a
perfect time to bring your neighbors and friends together in common
concern and let your community and legislators know how you feel about
these unbalanced budget priorities.

FCNL's new tax day flier "Where do our income tax dollars
go?" can help you share your concern about misplaced federal
budget priorities with your community, local news media, and members of
Congress. Take a look here:
http://capwiz.com/fconl/utr/1/EFVLEOHZYR/EYNHEOIHKJ/ (If you have
trouble accessing this file, see the note about PDF files at the end of
this message).

Some suggested uses for this flier:

Print copies to distribute at local tax day demonstrations or at your
local meeting or church.
Send copies to local news outlets with the name and number of a local
contact for interviews.
Send a copy to your legislators, along with a letter about the budget
(see below).
In April, the House and Senate will be debating the budget resolution
for fiscal year 2006.

Let your legislators know your concern that Congress is wasting too
much on the military and is not investing enough to promote peace and
human security at home and abroad.

Act Now!

FCNL makes it easy to contact your members of Congress: You can see a
sample letter on FCNL's web site:
http://capwiz.com/fconl/utr/1/EFVLEOHZYR/OPHDEOIHKK/ Then write your
own email in your own words. Send your legislators a copy of the tax
day flier.

Additional Resources:

Read more from FCNL about federal budget priorities:
http://capwiz.com/fconl/utr/1/EFVLEOHZYR/ANSREOIHKL/

Read FCNL's statement on conscientious objection to participation in
war:http://capwiz.com/fconl/utr/1/EFVLEOHZYR/GLGSEOIHKM/

Express your conscientious objection to paying taxes for war and
support the "Religious Freedom Peace Tax Fund" bill:
http://capwiz.com/fconl/utr/1/EFVLEOHZYR/JGJGEOIHKN/

Note about PDF files: To access PDF files you will need to have Adobe
Acrobat Reader on your computer. If you do not have this free program
you can download it from Adobe's web site:
http://capwiz.com/fconl/utr/1/EFVLEOHZYR/ANYVEOIHKO/

_______________________________________

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Contact Congress and the Administration:
http://capwiz.com/fconl/utr/1/EFVLEOHZYR/BDEXEOIHKR/

Order FCNL publications and "War is Not the Answer" campaign
bumper stickers and yard signs:
http://capwiz.com/fconl/utr/1/EFVLEOHZYR/CVFXEOIHKS/
http://capwiz.com/fconl/utr/1/EFVLEOHZYR/HNMXEOIHKT/

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________________________________________

Friends Committee on National Legislation
245 Second St. NE, Washington, DC 20002-5795
fcnl@fcnl.org * 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.

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