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Monday July 7, 2003
ICUJP Monday Night Forum
STOLEN DOLLARS:
How the War Economy Short Changes
the Quality of Our Lives
The Friendship Center (SGI)
5899 Venice (at Faifax)
Los Angeles
Mapquest directions
7:00 pm
more information:
icujp@pacbell.net
or call 626 683-9004
For a study guide on the subject of
Social Injustice and the Military Budget, see:
Workshop Trainer Guide
for War and The Economy
Created by United for a Fair Economy,
in collaboration with National Priorities Project
www.@faireconomy.org
1. Major features of the U.S. economy include massive amounts of military spending and huge tax cuts that primarilly benefit the wealthy. The results of these policies are large budget deficits that are then used to justify and force cuts in spending for social programs.
2. The overarching goal of these economic policies is to maintain and increase the tremendous concentration of wealth and power.
3. War and militarism drains resources from social needs and exacerbates state budget crises.
4. Racism plays a significant role in maintaining the climate of fear and insecurity necessary to gain popular support for a militarized society.
5. Racism and scapegoating also play a significant role in maintaining popular support for tax cuts that benefit the wealthy and acceptance of cuts in social spending that fall disproportionally on low-income people, people of color, workers, and youth.
6. Economic justice activists and peace activists have common interests and must join together to build a movement to challenge concentrated power and wealth.
download the Workshop Trainer Guide
Declaring “victory” in an unjust war
does not make it any more just.
The bombing of Iraq may have halted, but for ICUJP the long-term work of building a sturdy interfaith movement for justice and peace continues.
People are saying: “the war is over” but we know that the war didn’t begin in March. It was part of a long-term policy of sanctions and disregard for Iraqi sovereignty. So we are still asking why they haven’t found those weapons of mass destruction that formed the excuse for this intervention.
Amidst reports that Iraqis welcomed American and British troops, we see Iraqi anger at American occupation and arrogance. While we hear that Americans support the President and the war, we know that millions of people like us all over the world opposed the war.
The Iraqis did not use chemical or biological weapons, and (“orange alerts” notwithstanding) no documented acts of terrorism seem to have been launched against the US. Still the administration is playing on our fears and moving forward with profiling immigrants, holding people without formal charges, and promoting Patriot Act II.
Will you join ICUJP in rejecting fear and taking risks for peace?
- Attend our weekly meetings, 7 AM every Friday, at Immanuel Presbyterian Church, 3300 Wilshire at Berendo, where we build our community, learn from one another and guest speakers, and plan action strategies.
- Join us on June 8th at Immanuel Presbyterian Church for “Another Nation/Another World: Be Not Afraid” and the reception described above. Help us celebrate people in our community like yourself who are finding creative ways to work for peace.
- Make a financial contribution to support ICUJP’s work for justice and peace.
Our shared vision requires that each of us reject the culture of fear and engage in the daily work of peacemaking. ICUJP is counting on your financial support and your involvement.
ICUJP
C/OTHE REGAS INSTITUTE (A 501(3)C NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION)
215 NORTH MARENGO AVENUE
THIRD FLOOR
PASADENA, CA 91101
Thank you,
Rev. George F. Regas,
Convener,
Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace
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