Strength Through Peace and Progressive Democrats of America - Northern Colorado have been holding monthly "Brown Bag Lunch Vigils" at the Fort Collins office of Congresswoman Betsy Markey to highlight the human and financial costs of war and militarism. All are welcome to join us. For information, visit www. strengththroughpeace.org. On Wednesday, we will deliver the following open letter to Congresswoman Markey:
"According to the National Priorities Project (http:// nationalpriorities.org), for every $100 a U.S. resident pays in federal income tax for 2009, $35.40 will be used to pay for the costs of past, present and future wars and other military endeavors.
"The United States spends more on its military than all other countries in the world combined. As he was leaving office, President and former Army General Dwight D. Eisenhower warned us of the rise of the 'military-industrial complex.' With more than 700 military facilities in over 140 countries around the world, the accusation that the United States has become an 'empire of bases' is difficult to deny.
"We applaud your determination to bring fiscal responsibility to the federal government. We respectfully suggest that the military budget, as well as related Department of State and Department of Energy expenses, warrant the highest priority and your most careful scrutiny in this effort. We also urge you to vote against the upcoming $33 billion supplemental appropriations request for the continued occupation of Afghanistan. We cannot give the military a free pass when it comes to controlling government costs."
Kevin Cross, convener, Strength Through Peace,
Fort Collins