Dear Friends,
It happened the first time President Obama was elected. In the days after that historic vote, we heard hysterical appeals to save the banks that were "too big to fail." What did we get? A trillion-dollar, unaccountable bailout of banks that subsequently foreclosed on millions of Americans while making a few men richer.
Now it's the "fiscal cliff" -- a non-emergency used to protect the bloated Pentagon budget and the wealthiest 2%, ravage those who are poor, and raid Social Security and Medicare programs that contribute nothing to the federal deficit but are vital to the welfare of our country's elderly, vulnerable, and ill.
We need your voice -- join the Fellowship of Reconciliation in calling for jobs, not wars!
Need more evidence? Watch this simple two-and-a-half minute video explaining the steps we can take:
Take action this week
Tomorrow, thousands of Americans will call their members of Congress to tell them not to sell out the 98% by cutting the social safety net. Will you be one of them?
Call 1-800-998-0180 to get more background information on the threat to Social Security, and to be connected to the offices of your members of Congress.
Then, send the following message to Washington!
It's Time for Peace and Jobs!
Mr. President and Members of Congress:
During this period, when people of faith and secular people alike reflect on the year that is ending and look forward with hope to the year ahead, it is a time to put aside differences and enmities to celebrate our universal values.
It is in this spirit of humanity and hope that we call upon you to redirect your efforts and federal resources to:
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End the war in Afghanistan now, bring all our troops home, and care for and support them upon their return.
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Create good jobs at living wages: invest in our communities and our people to grow the economy and put people back to work.
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 In communities devastated by Hurricane Sandy, assure that reconstruction is performed in the public interest with full transparency under the direction and control of local, state, and federal governments and accountable to the people.
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Train and hire veterans, the unemployed and youth from historically disadvantaged communities to perform cleanup and reconstruction as a part of a broader national jobs program to rehabilitate inner cities, build affordable energy-efficient homes, repair/replace public infrastructure, and develop sustainable manufacturing for the 21st century.
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Redirect our nation's resources from war and uncontrolled Pentagon spending to fund social programs and public services, protect and improve Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, repair the social safety net, meet the challenge of climate change, and reduce poverty and inequality.
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Rely foremost on determined diplomacy and patient negotiation, rather than military power to respond to international disputes, differences, or conflicts.
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Require those at the top of the income ladder, giant corporations, and financial speculators to pay their fair share of taxes.
We ask that you summon the personal courage and moral fortitude to transcend partisan differences to serve the common good and public interest.
Please sign the petition today as we join together to say, "Jobs, not war!"
In peace,
Mark C. Johnson, Ph.D.
Executive Director
Fellowship of Reconciliation
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