 |
Adam Russell Taylor Last month Congress approved an annual military budget of $858 billion, a staggering new record. To put that sum into perspective, national security expert William D. Hartung estimates that “the $80 billion increase from the fiscal year 2022 to 2023 alone is higher than the entire military budget of every nation in the world but China.” The Pentagon itself reported that Congress had added more than $58 billion in funding to the Defense Department beyond what the department had even requested. These are astronomical, nearly incomprehensible numbers, yet there is little discussion on Capitol Hill over the magnitude of our government’s military spending: The Senate passed the most recent Pentagon budget by an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 83-11. As followers of Jesus, bringing “good news to the poor” and promoting peace should be at the center of our worldview and vocation. In our advocacy work at Sojourners, we constantly find ourselves trying to convince our country’s decision-makers to prioritize government spending that provides a lifeline to people experiencing poverty. Unfortunately, we have often found that securing adequate resources to help people lift themselves out of poverty is a constant uphill battle. While I believe in the importance of fiscal responsibility, when members of Congress become concerned about the national deficit, the programs that wind up on the chopping block are usually the programs that offer a safety net to those who are most vulnerable — while military spending continues unchecked. The consequences of our nation’s massive military spending are heartbreaking. After 9/11, military spending increased dramatically to finance the global “war on terror,” which anthropologist David Vine estimates has killed 4.5 million people worldwide. Brown University’s Costs of War project assesses that these wars have also displaced 38 million people and cost the U.S. $8 trillion. The U.S. maintains an unparalleled military presence around the world in the form of about 750 military bases in at least 80 countries and colonies. The size and scale of this presence are the hallmarks of empire.
|
ADVERTISEMENT |
Our Latest In ‘The Whale’ and in the Gospels, We Crucify What Disgusts Us (by JR. Forasteros) Darren Aronofsky’s latest film, starring Brendan Fraser, is ripe for biblical interpretation. Loving Thy Neighbor Vs. Upgrading Your iPhone (by Matt Bernico) Global supply chains are good at obscuring the workers whose labor makes our lives possible. How a Heritage of Black Preaching Shaped MLK’s Voice in Calling for Justice (by Kenyatta R. Gilbert) What led to the rise of the Black preacher and shaped King’s prophetic voice? Jesus Offers Abundant Life to All. The U.S. Asylum Process Doesn’t (by Paola Fuentes Gleghorn) Biden’s recent changes to the asylum process shows how U.S. immigration laws favor protecting white Europeans and wealthy people. |
ADVERTISEMENT |
From the Magazine Nuclear Weapons Disarmament Is a ‘Pro-Life Issue’ (by John C. Wester) Three ways people of faith can advocate for a nuclear-free world. |
ADVERTISEMENTS |
Festival Center 2023 Collectives Interested in learning more about spiritual discernment, climate justice, or community organizing? The Festival Center invites you to join one of our 2023 online Collectives. Working to bring about justice doesn’t have to be daunting. You can find your call and join others who share your passion. Join us. Coordinate peacebuilding & development placements for young adults with MCC MCC seeks a full-time coordinator to work with your young adult program participants on the east coast of the U.S. Placements in local development projects, peacebuilding and more. Meeting key priorities of engaging a new generation and working with constituents of color. Apply by February 1. We are looking for someone who can combine their interests in social justice, sales or marketing, and faith to contribute to underwriting the mission of the organization through advertising sales. For a complete job description and application instructions visit our careers webpage. |
|
Copyright © 2023 Sojourners, All rights reserved. Sojourners | 408 C St. NE | Washington, DC 20002 Email: sojourners@sojo.net | Tel.: 202.328.8842 |
No comments:
Post a Comment