Michigan Says Cut the Pentagon

Apr 7, 2011

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February 10, 2010

Senator Debbie Stabenow
133 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Senator Stabenow,

As our senator, you are acutely aware that people in Michigan are concerned about jobs and taxes. For too long the Pentagon’s share of our taxes has been rising out of proportion to other parts of the federal budget. We see real needs here in Michigan that could use some of the federal attention and tax dollars routinely diverted to military spending. If more of our budget were invested in civilian efforts, we would conserve precious tax dollars and create a more secure country.

As a member of the Senate Budget Committee, will you work to reprioritize our federal budget?

This year Congress approved a budget of $687 billion for the Pentagon, nuclear weapons and war. This is far more than at any other time since World War II. The Pentagon budget is expected to increase by another 25% over the next 10 years, not including wars.

As assessed in the National Priorities Project, taxpayers in Michigan had contributed a whopping $24.3 billion toward the cost of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan by January 2009. As a state and as a nation we cannot go on spending at this rate for war. Instead of spending billions more on war over the next 10 years, we hope you will work to invest in real security. Here are three examples. Those $24.3 billion could pay for hiring new diplomats trained in conflict prevention, or provide health care for 18 million children for one year, or provide renewable energy to power 34 million homes for one year.

As Defense Secretary Robert Gates has acknowledged, the Pentagon is not the only agency involved in national security. Real security means much more than military interventions around the world. We need more attention to the kind of security that keeps us safe, both at home and around the world.

We are asking you to advocate for the Budget Committee to hold hearings to reprioritize our federal budget so that our government can fully fund efforts to expand real security in three areas.

Fund Real Security – Diplomacy, Development and International Cooperation: Congress should dramatically increase funding for trained diplomats who can help address conflicts before they turn violent, expand foreign aid programs that can prevent the root causes of violent conflicts, and support international agencies with a proven record of addressing international conflicts.

Fund Real Security – Green Jobs to Protect Our Environment and Ourselves: Congress should expand funding for green jobs, environmental protection, and energy efficiency. Creating green jobs will expand our manufacturing infrastructure. This is essential for Michigan’s future. Investment in green industries and environmental protection will also build real security by preventing disputes over access to declining natural resources. These disputes over declining resources breed conflict.

Fund Real Security – Human Needs: The economic crisis has dramatically reduced funding for essential state expenditures to maintain a strong safety net, reduce poverty, and strengthen health care, housing, and education in Michigan and in other states. Investments in human needs are critical to the long-term security of our state and our nation. Now in the midst of economic crisis, Michigan’s state government is cutting back on essential programs such as education, health care, and infrastructure to balance the state budget as revenues decline. Yet the FY 2010 federal budget is scheduled to cut over 18% of federal aid to Michigan, worsening our state’s fiscal crisis.

As individuals, professionals, elected officials, religious leaders, and local organizations in Michigan, we appeal to you to work with your colleagues on the Senate Budget Committee to redirect money away from the Pentagon and toward these other pressing priorities.

Please urge your colleagues on the Budget Committee to hold hearings this year and to begin our nation’s task of investing in the real security of diplomacy, environmental protection, and human needs.

We look forward to hearing from you and your staff and setting up a personal follow-up meeting with you and a small group of us. Please contact David Wiley or Barbara Thibeault at the addresses listed below. A list of signatures follows.

Sincerely,

David Wiley, Ph.D.
729 Sunset Lane
East Lansing, Michigan 48823
Home telephone: (517) 332- 0333
Email address: wiley@msu.edu

Barbara Thibeault, LMSW
Office telephone: (517) 374-6577
Home telephone: (517) 351- 1868
Email address: bthibeault45@yahoo.com

Organizational endorsements:

MichUHCAN - Marjorie Mitchell, Executive Director
Metro-Detroit Chapter of the Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW)
Local 6000 UAW Retiree Chapter, Region 1A
Michigan Alliance to Strengthen Social Security and Medicare
Climate Change and Earth Care Group, of Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice
Church and Society Committee, Ypsilanti First United Methodist Church
The Peace and National Priorities Center of Oakland County
Sugar Law Center for Economic and Social Justice
Social Action Committee, Temple Emanu'El, Oak Park
Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice (a Washtenaw County organization)
Environment and Social Concerns Committee of the Ann Arbor Friends Meeting
U.S. Peace Council, Michigan Chapter
Democratic Socialists of America
Veterans for Peace, Chapter 93
Peace Action of Michigan
Michigan Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Network
11th Hour for Peace
Huntington Woods Peace, Citizenship, and Education Project
Pointes for Peace Weekly Vigil Group
Gray Panthers of Metro Detroit
Pax Christi Michigan
Paint Creek Unitarian Universalist Congregation Social Justice Committee
Women’s Action for a New Direction (WAND) Southeast Michigan
Citizens for Peace
Day House: Detroit Catholic Worker
Lansing Area Peace Education Center
Greater Lansing Network Against War and Injustice

Elected officials:

Tom Schneider, Bath Township Supervisor
Lynne Martinez, Lansing, former member of Michigan State House of Representatives
Kevin E. Beard, Councilmember, City of East Lansing
Nathan Triplett, Councilmember, City of East Lansing
Debra Nolan, Okemos, Ingham County Commissioner
Fern Katz, Southfield Board of Education
Paul C. Pratt, former Ingham County Commissioner
Denise Chrysler, former Lansing School Board member

Religious leaders:

Kurt Kirchoff, Pastor, Haslett Community Church – United Church of Christ, Haslett, Michigan
Rev. Fred L. Thelen, Pastor, Cristo Rey Church, Lansing, Michigan
Reverend Dick Preston, Lansing
Joan Tirak, Lansing, Coordinator, Pax Christi Michigan
Kari Nicewander, Pastor, Edgewood United Church – United Church of Christ, East Lansing
Rev. Anthony Patrick, Associate Pastor at First Presbyterian Church, Lansing Michigan
Penny Zago, Chair, Shalom Center for Justice and Peace Guiding Committee, Central United Methodist Church, and retired educator, Lansing
Rev. Anita Smith Buckwalter, Pastor, Lansing Church of the Brethren, Lansing
Emily Barr, Coordinator, Christian Education Program, Edgewood United Church, East Lansing
Shirley Bechill, Alma, Clerk, Green Pastures Quarterly Meeting, Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
Social Action Committee, Temple Emanu'El, Oak Park
Barbara Thibeault, LMSW, M.Ed., past Chair of the Justice and Peace Task Force, Edgewood United Church of Christ (EUCC), East Lansing
Mary Kay Bean, retired pastor and PA-C
Bethany Styer, Lansing, former Clerk of the Manitou Friends Worship Group
Rebecca Payne, MS, Clerk, Red Cedar Friends Meeting, East Lansing, 2006 – 2009
Eric J. Engel, Co-Chair, Ann Arbor Friends Meeting, Environment & Social Concerns
Amy Saunders, M.D., Co-Chair, Ann Arbor Friends Mtg. Env. & Social Concerns

Individual endorsements:

(Organizations listed with individual signatures are for identification purposes only.)

Susan Waltz, PhD, Professor of Public Policy
W. M. Alexander, PhD, Professor Emeritus of World Food Politics
Phil Volk, Ypsilanti, Director, Washtenaw Interfaith HIV/AIDS Network
Mark Rilling, PhD, Haslett
William T. Sledd, PhD, Perry
Margaret Nielsen, LMSW, PhD, East Lansing
Karen Dean, UAW 602 and Okemos School Parents Association
Karen O. Hooker, PhD, Okemos
Dorean Marguerite Koenig, JD, Professor of International Law
Dr. Jack Smith, Educator
Julia Bell, PhD, Holt
Gretchen Morse, Music faculty
Carol Myers-Scotton, PhD, Retired Carolina Distinguished Professor, University of South Carolina; Adjunct Professor, MSU Dept. of Linguistics and Language
Jim Anderson, PhD, Michigan State University Dept. of History
David Wiley, PhD, Michigan State University
Frank Dennis, PhD, East Lansing
Robert T. Anderson, PhD, East Lansing
Stephen W. Osborn, East Lansing, Past President, Greater Lansing United Nations Association
Kathy Booth, Lansing, Retired teacher
James M. Bloomfield, Haslett
Kyle Kirkby, Garden Project of the Greater Lansing Food Bank
Robert Kirkby, MS, Lansing
Merry Stanford, LMSW, Lansing
Ann M. Francis, PhD, Consultant, Human & Organizational Systems
Carolyn Lejuste, PhD, Project Manager, Michigan Disability Rights Coalition
Judith Morrigan, Retired teacher and Restorative Justice Provider
David Castro, Business owner, New World Woodworking, East Lansing
Erick Williams, JD, East Lansing
Ray Davies, Mount Pleasant, music teacher and musician
Amanda R. Morgan, Lansing
Arthur W. Myers, Grand Ledge
Matt Anderson, East Lansing
Steve and Carol Rall, Lansing
Randy Watkins, Lansing
Jean Golden, East Lansing
Dr. Harriette McAdoo, Distinguished Professor, Michigan State University (deceased, December 29, 2009)
Carol Baker, Church of the Brethren, Lansing
Peggy Roberts, Power of We Consortium, Ingham County
Kate Darnell, small business owner, East Lansing
Luke J. Roy, Attorney at Law
Kathie Kuhn, Chairperson, Lansing Community College People for Positive Social Change
Ivajane McCoy, Board Member of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, Lansing Affiliate
Paul Brun Del Re, Lansing Church of the Brethren
Tom Rico, Economic Developer
Ruth Borgelt, Haslett
Brad Shaw, Technology Manager
Joann Neuroth, Educator
Yvonne B. LeFave, Lansing
Roni Sionakides, Lansing
Anna Fisher, LMSW, East Lansing
Karen Patrick, MSW, Tri-County Office on Aging
Janet Laatsche, retired teacher, East Lansing
Ken Harrow, Ph.D, Department of English, Michigan State University, East Lansing
Regina Fry, Unitarian Universalist Social Action Committee, East Lansing
David Bower, Hunger/Justice Committee, University Lutheran Church, East Lansing
William Dwyer
Ann Briganti
Martha Larsen, East Lansing
Barbara B. Derman, MSW, East Lansing
Judith Bridger, East Lansing
Dena Anderson, Lansing
Margaret Kingsbury, RN, MSN, Adjunct Professor of Nursing, Lansing Community College
Serita Overton, Ph.D. Psychologist, Haslett
LaVendee Fulton, Unitarian Universalist Church
Barbara Anderson, PhD, retired Psychologist, Lansing
Char Berry, LMSW, East Lansing
Nancy Hamilton, LMSW, East Lansing
Peg Jones, LMSW, retired, Ingham Counseling Center, Grand Ledge
Ann Thompson, M.D., retired Psychiatrist, Okemos
Rebecca Farnum, MSU Students for Peace and Justice, MSU Campus Interfaith Council
Martha Kwant – Edgewood United Church of Christ (EUCC), Lansing
Robert J. Gibbs, Okemos
Jo Ann Kistler, East Lansing
Jo Ann Hubbard, East Lansing
Margarette E. Cafagna, East Lansing
Steven Rentschler, East Lansing
Harold A. Beer, Lansing
Shani Eayen, East Lansing, EUCC
Janice Gillette, East. Lansing
Ada J. Kidd, Okemos, Edgewood United Church of Christ (EUCC)
Zenon Kris Wisniewski, Lansing
Stephen Gasteyer, East Lansing
Rebecca Ammon, East Lansing
Dorothy McGrady, East Lansing
Brenda Nelson, East Lansing
Bob Gulliver, Okemos
Marc Vickers, EUCC, Mason
Stephen J. Ostrander – EUCC, Lansing
Sue Fierro, EUCC, Medical Assistant, East Lansing
Charlotte Bain, BA, EUCC, East Lansing
Linda Nuttall, EUCC, East Lansing
Cathy Cunningham, EUCC
Melanie Sino, MSU student, Dept. Political Science; East Lansing
C. Whittey, MSU student, Dept. of Sociology; East Lansing
Nancy Gardner, EUCC, East Lansing
Ann McCall, East Lansing
Roberta McCall – East Lansing
Elizabeth Mittman - East Lansing
Jim Detjen – Edgewood United Church of Christ, (EUCC), Okemos
Suzy Grace – EUCC, Lansing
Laura Miller-Purrenhage, East Lansing
E. Diane Thompson – Thornapple Community Supported Agriculture
Clare Gerber – Student, MSU
Enrique Betancourt
Joann Dowker – EUCC
Deb Wieber – EUCC, Okemos
Ivanha Rolland
William Heater – Edgewood United Church of Christ (EUCC), Lansing
Mary Ellen Heater – Lansing
Marguerite Mahler – Citizens for Health Care Reform; EUCC, East Lansing
William Mahler – Citizens for Health Care Reform, EUCC, East Lansing
Carol Grayhawk – EUCC, Lansing
Mary Crimmins - EUCC, Lansing
Billie Piazza – EUCC, Lansing
Opal Wang, East Lansing
Daria Hyde - Conservation Scientist
Colleen Mills, Citizens for Peace
Ruth Zweifler, Ann Arbor
Nancy Taylor, Ann Arbor
Dr. Helen Fox, Ann Arbor
Pat McLaughlin, Ann Arbor
Ed Morin, Ann Arbor
Anne G. Remley, Ann Arbor
Dina Christine Greenway, Ann Arbor
Lisa Klopfer, Ann Arbor
Rich Ensign, Dearborn
Freda Ensign, Dearborn
Robin Warner, Dexter
Philip A. Stoffregen, Ann Arbor
Karen Deslierres, Ann Arbor
Nancy T. L. Stoll, Ann Arbor
Rebecca Hatton, PsyD, Ann Arbor
Lexi Chapin-Smith, Ann Arbor
Michael J. Sullivan, Ann Arbor
Lynn Drickamer, Ann Arbor
Ruth Zweifler, Ann Arbor
Dr. Andrew Zweifler, Ann Arbor
Claire Tinkerhess, Ann Arbor
Paul Tinkerhess. Ann Arbor
William Rioccobono, Ann Arbor
Jeff Cooper. Ann Arbor
Ruth Carey, Ann Arbor
Judy Flanders, Ann Arbor
James E. Crowfoot, Ann Arbor
Karen L. Connor, Ann Arbor
Tom Blackwell, Ann Arbor
Jan Wright, Ann Arbor
Helaine R. Hunscher, Ann Arbor
Margaret S. Wayne, Ann Arbor
Cassie Cammann, Ann Arbor
Marilyn Churchill, Ann Arbor
Marilyn Siegel, Ann Arbor
Dr. Max Heirich, Ann Arbor
Donald MacGregor, Ann Arbor
Christa S. Williams, Ann Arbor
Polly Connor, Ann Arbor
Mrs. Kim M. Mancuse, Ann Arbor
Lydia A. Hanson, Ann Arbor
Eva Leventer, Ann
Dr. Thomas Taylor, Ann Arbor
Arthur Wolfe, Ann Arbor
Isabelle Yingling, Chelsea
Lonnie Harvey, Ann Arbor
Elaine S. Wilson, Ann Arbor
Pamela C. Hoffer, Ann Arbor
Kathleen Peabody, Ann Arbor
John Barrie
Marilyn E. Churchill
Alan Connor
Bill Diesenroth
Robin Warner
Frank O’Donnell, Ferndale
Helen Weber, Ferndale
Jen Chapin-Smith, Board member of the Washtenaw Interfaith HIV/AIDS Network and Community Mentorship Coordinator of the Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living
Charles Altman, Detroit Area Peace with Justice Network Coordinating Committee
Debbie Juriga, First United Methodist Church, Ypsilanti
Morris Taber, First United Methodist Church, Ypsilanti
Ann Taber, First United Methodist Church, Ypsilanti
David Hurst, First United Methodist Church, Ypsilanti
Edith Hurst, First United Methodist Church, Ypsilanti
Sally Lunn, First United Methodist Church, Ypsilanti
David Green, Detroit, Detroit Democratic Socialists of America
Peggy S. Collins, Southfield
Appel, Max Oak Park, Shabbes (Sabbath) book discussion group member
Appel, Ruth Oak Park, Shabbes (Sabbath) book discussion group
Becker, Dorothy W. Bloomfield, Shabbes (Sabbath) book discussion group
Engelhart, Elaine W. Bloomfield
Grossman, Sam W. Bloomfield
Hadesman, Natalie Bloomfield Hills, Shabbes (Sabbath) book discussion group
Iwrey, Sylvia Bloomfield Township, Shabbes (Sabbath) book discussion group
Katz, Fern Southfield, Women’s Action for a New Direction (WAND) Inc. Board member and Shabbes (Sabbath) book discussion group
Kerwin, Helen Southfield
Krolik, Bess P. W. Bloomfield, Shabbes (Sabbath) book discussion group
MacAdam, Carolyn Troy, ACLU of Michigan
Mazer, Dorothy H. W. Bloomfield, Shabbes (Sabbath) book discussion group
Metz, Sol Ann Arbor, Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice
Mogill, George, MD Bloomfield Hills, Shabbes (Sabbath) book discussion group
Panush, Irving Bloomfield Hills, Shabbes (Sabbath) book discussion group
Rosalik, Barbara Rochester Hills, MI, WAND Southeast Michigan
Saperstein, Audrey Huntington Woods
Sherman, Sandra Bloomfield Hills
Tabashnik, Thelmajean Beverly Hills, Shabbes (Sabbath) book discussion group
Warren, Dorothy Bingham Farms, WAND Southeast Michigan
Weinstein, Beatrice, Farmington Hills, Shabbes (Sabbath) book discussion group
Artt, Michele - Detroit, U.S. Peace Council, Michigan Chapter
Burgess, Judy - Troy, NOW
Rusten, June - Ann Arbor, Michigan for Public Education
Bautista, Jocelyn Southfield, Michigan Head Start Policy Council
Hill, Michelle Southfield, MI Head Start Policy Council
Johnson, Denise Southfield, MI Head Start Policy Council
Nagrant, Anne Southfield, MI Head Start Policy Council
Gray, Nancy Adadow - Northville, Women’s Action for a New Direction (WAND), Southeast Michigan
Morse, Elaine P. - Birmingham, WAND Southeast Michigan
Janet Affeldt, Sterling Heights, Pax Christi
Madeline Bross, Warrem, Pax Christi
Margaret Cantu, Warren
Julie Telang, Warren
Lee Dunbar, Warren
Lois A. Ellis, Warren, Pax Christi
Ron Dale, Warren
Sigrid Dale, Warren
Michael Merriweather, West Bloomfield
Martin Ehlen, Port Huron
Marlene Perrotte, Sisters of Mercy