Is the Federal budget a reflection of our country's moral values?

So claims the Friends Committee for National Legislation, a fine Quaker lobbying group. So also claims Matthew in the Gospel: For where your treasure is, they will your heart be also (Matthew 6:21

But the cynic in me (small but still present) says them who have the gold make the rules, and that fits our budget picture more clearly.

For each dollar of federal income tax we paid in 2009, our government spent
33 cents on Pentagon spending for current and past wars (3 cents on veterans, 6 cents on interest on debts, 24 cents on Pentagon and related spending.
27 cents supporting the economy -- recovery and bailouts, 26 cents, other jobs, education and social programs, 1cent.
17 cents on health care, mainl Medicare, I suppose
11 cents responding to poverty
9 cents for general government
2 cents for energy, science, and the environment
1 cent for diplomacy, development, and war prevention

FCNL says if these expenditures don't reflect your values, talk to Congress. Good idea. Also talk to your family and friends, your neighbors, your Facebook community, anyone you can.

FCNL makes it easy to reach your reps in Congress. Visit www.fcnl.org, follow the "contact Congress" link, and there you go!

Honest to goodness, it is so much cheaper to prevent a war than to wage one and pay one off decades later. But there's profit in war and not so much for working on making lives better for the multitudes of poor and disenfranchised.

Okay, I'm going to silence the cynic, who is rarely constructive, and bring back cheerier outlook.

Peace, y'all

Molly

Gays in the military, Southern Christian leadership Conference

Not feeling terribly inspired today so I'll just share a few facts and ideas.

Fact: On this day in 2000, England lifted its ban on gays in the military. Good for them! I haven't heard that the earth stopped spinning or that the mililtary has fallen apart (though come to think of it, I wouldn't really mind if it did).

On this day in 1957, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference was founded in Atlanta. This group focused first and foremost on civil rights through the use of non-violence. Boycotts. Marches. Voter registration. All good things, and just as relevant today.

So I ask: do you walk your talk? Do your purchases align with your values? Do you chose recreation that fosters your spirit and helps improve the world?

Off my soap box. I wonder when I'll get my next chance to register voters?

Thanks to the great folks at Nebraskans for Peace, who produce the Cat Lovers Against the Bomb calendar with the facts that almost inspired me today. And maybe gave you a thing or two to think about, as well

peace, y'all

Molly