Praying for Peace - Paying for War
By Bill Ruhaak | May 7, 2008
The following guest contribution is from Bill Ruhaak, parishioner of Sacred Heart Parish in Joliet.
It is tax time again, bringing to light a personal dilemma. I am agonized by the fact that I am praying for peace while paying for war.
What is at stake here is a fundamental human right not to be forced to participate in war, neither physically particpating in war or paying for war.
Our nation has used the concept of “conscientious objedtor” to describe those who are called to serve in the Armed Forces and, because of their beliefs, are given alternate service.
Some 54% of our federal funds go to the miltary as detailed in the “Analytical Perspectives” book of the budget of the United States Government, fiscal year 2009.
The question is if my conscience tells me I cannot kill another human being, how can I pay for someone else to do so? This does not mean that I do not want to pay my taxes, of course I do. I live here. Some of my money is used to meet basic human needs.
There is a simple answer to my dilemma: it is a piece of legislation called “The Religious Freedom Peace Tax Fund Bill,” H.R. 1921. This bill advocates legislation enabling conscientious objectors to have their tax dollars allocated to any appropriation not used for a military purpose. It is important to note that people like myself would be paying their full share of taxes. I know that, next year at this time, I would like to sit down with a clear conscience and pay my taxes.
Please contact your elected officials in Washington and ask them to suppor the Peace Tax Fund Bill, H.R. 1921. For more information contact: Nation Campaign For A Peace Tax Fund 2121 Decatur Place NW. Washington, DC> 20008 (1-888-732-2382) www.peacetaxfund.org. Also for war tax resistance: NWTRCC National War Tax Resistance Coordinating Committee PO. Box 150553 Brooklyn, NY. 11215 (1-800-269-7464) www.nwrtrcc.org
Bill Ruhaak
Topics: Non-violence | No Comments »