More than $625 billion of the federal budget fuels the U.S. Military; and now’s the time to start making cuts to that financial plan so tax payer money can be used more effectively. That was Quaker lobbyist Diane Randall’s message Saturday morning as she addressed about 40 Spokane residents at Salem Lutheran Church.
“We’re spending more on military spending than we ever have,” she said.
Randall is the executive secretary of the Friends Committee on National Legislation and was the keynote speaker at this weekend’s Fall Advocacy Forum in Spokane.
Her organization advocates that war is not the answer and because of the nation’s growing debt, weak economy and increased poverty, Congress should cut military spending and instead focus on issues such as housing, hunger and peacekeeping. Part of that includes lobbying for the Budget Control Act, which would cut Pentagon spending by about $1 trillion over the next 10 years.
“I think most people understand by making different choices we can cut military spending,” she said. “We can use this money differently to get different results.”
For example, Washington State will spend $11.2 billion this year on the Department of Defense. That money, Randall said, could have provided medical care for 1.4 million veterans, or scholarships for 1.5 million college students.
Shar Lichty, of the Peace and Action Justice League, said in a workshop following Randall’s address that the Eastern Washington families have spent $2.4 billion on the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq since 2001. That money, she said, could have provided healthcare for 1.5 million children or created jobs for 60,000 people with a $40,000 salary.
“Now is the time to do this. We need to start thinking about a different economy, about our future,” Randall said.
She urged residents to get in touch with their government leaders and consider giving financial support for issues and candidates they can stand behind.
“It’s important to make investments in things you believe in,” she said during a workshop following her lecture.
Rich Cowan, who is running for Congress, said it may seem daunting to try and get in touch with a lawmaker, but urged people to try.
“It’s a matter of making new connections all the time,” he said, adding that it does make a difference.
After Randall’s keynote address attendees broke into four breakout sessions to discuss how they could work toward a better economy locally. Workshops were lead by leaders from PJALS, the Faith Action Network (FAN), The Oak Tree and the Friends Committee on National Legislation (led by Randall).
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