Pennsylvania: Cut the Pentagon, Not Our Programs

Feb 1, 2010

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March 31, 2010

Representative Allyson Schwartz
U.S. House of Representatives
330 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

Congressional District Office
706 West Avenue
Jenkintown, PA 19046

Dear Representative Schwartz:

We know that, as a member of the House Budget Committee, you are acutely aware of the importance of setting clear priorities for federal spending. We are writing out of concern that for too long the Pentagon budget has been rising out of proportion to other parts of the federal budget. We see real needs here in Pennsylvania that could use some of the federal attention and tax dollars that are routinely diverted to military spending.

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, and the Pentagon budget is expected to increase by another 25% over the next 10 years, not including the wars.

By January 2009 taxpayers in our district of Pennsylvania had contributed a whopping $2.2 billion toward the cost of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. As a community and as a country we cannot go on spending money at this rate. Instead of spending another $2.2 billion on war over the next 10 years, we hope you will work to invest those funds in real security. For example, $2.2 billion would pay for hiring new diplomats trained in conflict prevention, would provide health care for 690,000 children for one year, or would provide renewable energy to power 2.6 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 at home and around the world.

We hope you will advocate for the Budget Committee to hold a set of hearings this coming year on how our government can fully fund efforts to expand real security in three areas.

Fund Real Security-- Diplomacy, Development and International Cooperation: Many of our national leaders have said Congress needs to 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-- Protecting the Environment to Protect Ourselves: Greenhouse gas emissions threaten our air and water supplies and access to declining natural resources is a source of conflict. Scientists have identified specific strategies to reduce greenhouse gas pollution, increase energy efficiency, and create jobs through investments in green industries. Congress should expand funding for these efforts.

Fund Real Security -- Human Needs: The recent economic crisis dramatically reduced funding for many critical state expenditures that are dedicated to issues such as poverty reduction, health care, housing, and education. These investments are critical to the long-term security of our nation, especially this year when our state government must cut back in programs to address our state deficit. And yet the FY 2010 federal budget is scheduled to cut 14.5% of federal aid to Pennsylvania.

As community, faith and business leaders in your district of Pennsylvania, we appeal to you to work with your colleagues on the Budget Committee to redirect money away from the Pentagon and toward these other pressing priorities.

We look forward to hearing from you and your staff.

Sincerely,

Joseph M. Hoeffel, Former Congressman from Pennsylvania District 13
Robin Stelly, PennAction
Kate Thomas, Associate Professor of English Bryn Mawr College
Nancy Posel, League of Women Voters, Jenkintown
Rege McKenzie, Lansdale, Lansdale Democratic Committe
Allen Reeder, Willow Grove, member, Abington Friends Meeting
Ronald J. Sider, Theologian, Author
Deborah F. Faulkner, Lansdale, Adult Services Librarian, Indian Valley Public Library
Doug Faulkner, Lansdale, Sr. Program Manager, SunGard Availability
Cheryl Zabinski, Montgomery Township, Gwynedd Friends Meeting
John Gist, Fort Washington, Partner in Gist Design
Linda Gist, Fort Washington, Partner in Gist Design
Suzanne Loverdi, Lansdale, St. John's United Church of Christ, Lansdale AAUW
Russell Loverdi, Lansdale, Counselor, Montgomery County Community College
Reba H. Mohan, Gwynedd, Retired Teacher
Janet H. Henderson, Gwynedd, Occupational Therapist, Retired
Constance Lezenby, Lansdale, Constance Lezenby Architects LLC
John Schwarzenbach, Penllyn, Leo Mortage Co, Banking
Lawrencine Mazzoli, Penllyn, Recycling Design
Paige Menton, Ambler, Educator
Emera Kim, Gwynedd Mercy College
Sharon McCormick, Ambler, Citizens for a Better Ambler
May B. Ball, Gwynedd, Episcopal Peace Fellowship
Ethan F. Ball, Gwynedd
Shirley Hathaway, Gwynedd
Carol B. Pye, Gwynedd, League of Women Voters
William Pye, Gwynedd
Harold Juram, Gwynedd, Germantown Meeting of Friends
Robert Neff, Gwynedd, Norristown Friends Meeting
Anne Kirk Neff, Gwynedd, Norristown Friends Meeting
Mason Barnett, Ambler
Ronald Inskeep, Gwynedd, RN
Judith Inskeep, Gwynedd, Retired NGO Worker
Elizabeth P. Lowe, Harleysville, Healthcare Editor
Beth Roberts, Lansdale, Retired Public School Teacher
Vicki Hain Poorman, Roslyn, Temple University Health System
Marcia Paschkis, Gywnedd, Art Teacher
Al Paschkis, Gwynedd, Habit for Humanity
Richard Himmer, Blue Bell, Engineer
Suzanne Spiker, Ambler, GSK, Programme Manager
Heidi Thomas, North Wales, Civil Engineer, MESH Consulting
Stacy Kent Wyckoff, Gwynedd Valley, Principal, Kent Design
Michael Mrozinski, Ambler, Planning Director, Warrington Township
Joan Faulkner, Lansdale, Library Assistant
Daniel P. McCormick, Ambler, CBA
M. Alicia Wright, Harleysville
Jed Brensinger, Gwynedd Valley, Gwynedd-Mercy College
Mary Margaret Bailey, Gwynedd
Richard P. Bansen, Gwyedd, Green St. Monthly Meeting of Friends
Frances J. Rhodes, Gwynedd
Jeanetta Bicking, Gwynedd, League of Women Voters
Natalie Hunt, Gwynedd, Lehigh Valley Friend Meeting
Diane Vernon, Ambler, Educator
Tom Spencer, Glenside, Consultant
Carolyn Spencer, Glenside, Nutritionist
Lillian Goertzel, Bala Cynwyd, Psychologist
Donna Wray, Wyncote, Consultant
Patricia Wermeling, Jenkintown, Lunch Aid
David M. Wermeling, Abington, Attorney
Susan Schmidt, Oreland, Library Assistant
Doris Godwin, Glenside
Bob Perry, Philadelphia, Retired
Mildred Staib, Philadelphia, Retired
Elizabeth Townsend, Abington, Teacher
Carol Wolf, Melrose Park, Teacher
Michael Dillard, Glenside, Carpenter
Ann Dillard, Glenside, Billing Coordinator
Annie Boagni, Elkins Park, Teacher
Don Dow, Elkins Park, Psychologist
Barbara Smith, Glenside, Environmental Scientist
Joanne Maule Schmidt, Abington, Retired
Margaret Sayers, Elkins Park, Psychologist
Bonnie D. Schorsch, Meadowbrook, Florist
Peter Schorsch, Meadowbrook, Private Equity
Dr. Joseph Price, Philadelphia, Physician
Bob Wolpert, Jenkintown, Educator
Rosi Bothwell, Jenkintown, Artist
Lowell Booth, Willow Grove, Retired Teacher
Chris Agoglia, Wyncote, Professor
Daniel Turner, Jenkintown
Carol Palmer, Abington, Teacher
Alyse Smith, Lansdale, Retired
Elizabeth Mosley, Jenkintown, Retired
Kathleen MacInnes, Huntingdon Valley, Retired
Ronald A. Feldman, Philadelphia, Retired
Thomas Dwyer, Jenkintown, Actor
Doris Meltzer, Huntingdon Valley, Artist
Dr. Lea G. Stabinski, Blue Bell
Maria Sweeney, Montgomery County, Gwynedd Friends Meeting

Our Nations’ Checkbook Local Group Contact Person:
Al Paschkis
1315 Foulkeways Apt # 15
Gwynedd, PA 19436
Phone: 215-283-7367
Email: paschkis@localnet.com

Our Nation’s Checkbook Washington Contact Person:
Ruth Flower
Associate Executive Secretary
Friends Committee on National Legislation
245 2nd Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002
Phone: 202 903 2524
Email: ruthflower@fcnl.org