Chesapeake Citizens

Yo Obama! Yo Congress! Americans Need Our $38bn for Our Future, Not for War Toys!

By Diane Wittner and Dr. Margaret Flowers
February 9, 2009
Posted on www.afterdowningstreet.org

Unbelievable. The politicians in Washington D.C. still don't get it. The last election gave a crystal clear signal to politicians in Washington that Americans want REAL change. Americans want a government that works for the people.

While we welcome news from U.S. sources about President Obama's media-savvy approach to selling his economic stimulus package, the most important news about government spending decisions remains...well...um...underreported in this country. (Whither U.S. media?!)

Fortunately, the BBC is on the case:

US reopens $35bn air tanker deal"
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7498546.stm

"Boeing in $3bn air force contract"
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7876128.stm

Yes, friends, it seems that our kinder, gentler government has quietly decided to give the Pentagon and its business partners contracts with our money for about $38 billion for new war toys. The more things change, the more they stay the same.

Want to take action? Contact our lawmakers, show them the BBC articles, and tell them to cancel these orders and redirect this spending! Tell them that Americans need our $38 billion invested for our future: green jobs, national health care, and quality, affordable education for all...NOT for war toys!

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SENATE:
U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee:
http://armed-services.senate.gov/members.htm

Senator Chuck Grassley has questioned Pentagon spending, lets give him our support
http://grassley.senate.gov/contact.cfm

Senator Bernie Sanders has also questioned Pentagon spending, and he needs our support
http://www.sanders.senate.gov/comments/

Together, Sanders(D) and Grassley(R) just crafted an important amendment to the economic recovery bill; ask them to work together AGAIN on THIS issue.

HOUSE:
House Financial Services Committee
http://financialservices.house.gov/who.html

House Financial Services Committee Chairman, Rep. Barney Frank, has said twice on TV in last ten days that defense spending needs to be reduced. Lets tell him we support him
http://www.house.gov/frank/

WHITE HOUSE:
President Obama
Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel
Larry Summers (White House Economic Council)
http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/