War Protesters Use Tax Day To Send Message
BANGOR, Maine - Opponents of the Iraq war spent Tuesday, the deadline for filing income tax returns, working to educate Mainers about the costs of war.
More than half of each federal income tax dollar paid by Maine taxpayers now goes toward past and current military expenses, according to Larry Dansinger, coordinator of the Maine War Tax Resistance Resource Center.
The group, camped outside the Bangor U.S. post office, was one of at least two Maine organizations that spent Tax Day handing out fliers they said “show where our tax dollars really go.” The other group, the Maine People’s Alliance, handed out fliers in Portland.
Though Dansinger noted that most Mainers now file their tax returns electronically, he said the resistance planned to hand fliers out to those who still do it the traditional way as a “symbolic” gesture.
“April 15 is a significant day for a lot of people in the U.S. because it’s the day their taxes are due,” Dansinger said.
According to data from the War Resisters League, with headquarters in New York City, 54 percent of the federal budget for the 2009 fiscal year - or $484 billion - goes toward past and current military expenses, including an estimated $200 billion for Iraq and Afghanistan war spending.
Dansinger said “the vast majority of Mainers,” based on informal polling, would rather see their tax dollars being used to support such things as health care, education and other public services.
“It’s Tax Day and we feel that it’s really important for people to realize there are two different value systems out there,” said Ben Chin, federal issues organizer for the Maine People’s Alliance.
“One is a value system of war and the other is investing in Americans - health care, education, social services,” Chin said. “What we’re basically trying to do is educate the public because right now I think we’re running dangerously close to getting used to something that we shouldn’t be getting used to.”
Chin said the MPA also planned to call upon Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins to “take a leadership role” against the war and bring U.S. troops home.
Also on Tuesday, the war tax center awarded grants funded with federal income tax dollars being withheld by some Mainers who don’t want their taxes used to support a war they neither support nor believe in.
“I will not pay our government to threaten and kill in my name,” Dansinger noted in an announcement leading up to Tuesday’s activities. “That would make me an accomplice to murder.”
On Tuesday, the center presented $500 grants of withheld tax money to individuals and to state, national and international groups the resisters say are working to counteract harm being done by the U.S. presence in Iraq. Several of those grants were given out during a brief gathering at the Peace & Justice Center of Eastern Maine:
- Simon Beckford, 18, of Clifton, to help cover education costs. Beckford, who is being home-schooled by his parents, Peter and Julie Beckford, has decided not to register with Selective Services, required of males ages 18 to 25, a decision that likely will render him ineligible for financial aid for college and some kinds of jobs.
“I’ve always been interested in the truth behind things and where money goes and why people are in which political positions, and so I’ve been pretty aware of the realities of war and what militaries do to each other and to other countries and the environment,” Beckford said Tuesday.
Though he said he has made no decision about college, he does want to work as a political and grass-roots organizer.
- Iraq Veterans Against the War. A representative from the group was not available to receive a grant Tuesday so the Rev. Gerald Oleson, vice president of the Bangor chapter of Veterans for Peace, accepted it on the group’s behalf.
According to Oleson, the IVAW was founded by Iraq War veterans in 2004. The group is calling for the immediate withdrawal of all occupying forces in Iraq, reparations for the human and structural damage Iraq has suffered, and full benefits and adequate health care for returning service men and women.
Dansinger said other grants were being given to the Western Mountains Peace Action Group in Franklin County promoting “truth in recruiting” and the Direct Aid Initiative, an international group providing medical care to Iraqi war refugees in Jordan and Syria.
© 2008 The Bangor Daily News
Not only are ‘death and taxes’ the only sureties in life, the American government routinely uses most of our tax money to guarantee a steady supply of death to whomever the scapegoat of the week may be. Congrats to those who would risk the wrath of the IRS to express their disapproval.
was it paul krugman who said if we call taxes dues they will be used for better purposes? the city where i live voted to tax ourselves to buy up development rights to create a green belt around the city for the betterment of all our lives. and indeed, there are more wildlife found here than in nearby cities.
the quality of our lives is directly related to what our federal and state governments do with the social dues we pay them. congratulations to those with the courage and endurance to withhold payment of war taxes.
Bravo! Real patriotism-for love of country!
We hear a lot about how we are a ‘free country’ because we have (well at least used to have) ‘freedom of speech’. But just try exercising your ‘freedom of speech’ when it comes to money, not words. TPTB really don’t care what we say, as long as they get our money on tax day. Same with voting — we’re not supposed to notice that the only vote that really matters is involuntary and involves voting with our wallets !
Cleverly, TPTB give tax protesters a bad name by saying that we “don’t want to support vital services”. Right. What a crock. Years and years ago there was an organization called the Con$cience and Military Tax Campaign — US. Wonder what happened to it ? (You filed as usual,
but paid your taxes due into their escrow account and when the IRS came looking for it you sent them to the escrow account and they had to seize the funds from it. The idea was, funds in the escrow account should be spent on humanitarian rather than military needs.) Perhaps every county in the country should start its own escrow account ?
great bear and all the rest of you that are applauding the civil disobediance - and the risks of practicing your belief instead of being complicit in murder - JOIN US! I have been saying this for the past five years, and practicing war tax resistance for the same number of years. Find out the facts and put your fear aside. You’ll sleep better at night.
No one is speaking out against how the current administration has made billions from controlling Iraqi oil, billions from ignoring electricity and water services that Sadam had for everybody, and ignoring the fact that Iraq was only ever a threat to Saudi Arabia. This is another country that has and continues to pay the current administration billions in oil broker fees as a guise to kill our US men and women while they fight for them. I know many of you do not want to hear about any religion but Islam, but before Sadam was ousted, the Christian population in Iraq numbered in the millions. Iraq allowed and protected Christian worshippers and the country was by and large tolerant to all religions. Saudi Arabia was the only country that spoke out against this tolerance in Iraq. Now, under the direction of Saudi Arabia, the military has turned away from the religious slaughter of Christians in Iraq by foreign almost always Saudi Arabian troops.
Christians in Iraq are now almost non-existent- just like in Saudi Arabia. Syria and Iran have the middle east’s next largest Christian populations. Guess who’s next? Things that make you go hmmm.
If we have to go to war, go to war with those who are an actual threat, don’t go to war based on how the most amount of money can be made by a current adminstration!!!!
All taxes must be apportioned. There is no law that forces individuals to pay income tax. See “AMERICA: FREEDOM TO FACISM” http://www.freedomtofacism.com
Don’t be foolish. “A fool and his money are soon parted.”Don’t be afraid to say no to the IRS. Don’t pay for war when you don’t support war. Congress has the power of the purse, and won’t use that power to stop this war. We can. Until you give YOUR money to the IRS YOU have the power of the purse. WE, collectively, can stop this war.
One of the best things to do is minimize our federal taxes paid. As for the “good” federal programs that will suffer - they can’t be so good when they are abused to perpetuate war without end.
if you really want to stop this so called war in irac ,stop paying for it. our legislative branch won’t. we the people have to make them do what we want them to do,not what they want.when our we all going to stand united again. God bless us all,were going to need it
Thank you, Bangor, Maine. Thank you for your courage in standing up.
It is the only thing of value left in our current culture of deception and
spin. This war on iraq has been going on for seven, frickin years. Seven,
frickkkkkkkkin years with little protest from we the people, whoever the
hell that is. Our constitution has been gutted. Oil is selling at 113 plus a
barrel. As much as 50% of our taxes now go toward defense. Defense of
what many ask, but few answer. It is irrelevant. It is only relevant that we
the people know “we are under attack.” Google Herman Georring’s final quote,
if by some incredible miracle you don’t know it. No, damn it, let me post it here.
“Naturally the common people don’t want war: Neither in Russia, nor in England, nor for that matter in Germany. That is understood. But, after all, IT IS THE LEADERS of the country who determine the policy and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is TELL THEM THEY ARE BEING ATTACKED, and denounce the peacemakers for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. IT WORKS THE SAME IN ANY COUNTRY.”
This is not rocket science folks. But it is psychological warfare. It’s success depends on the dumbing down
of “we the people” thru television, distraction, diversion and propaganda. Threads like these on CD further
the cause of democracy, which isn’t easy, but is the only way. Won’t you wake up, if for nothing other than
the future of these beautiful children these hard times are producing? Call your congressman today and ask
him or her, if he or she supports continued aggression against iraq. If he or she says yes, tell he or she’s
office staff that you will not support them in the next election. Do this after first demanding auditable voting
ballots. Remember, the only power the government has is derived from we the people. Without “our” support,
and dollars, it fades like the smoke it is.
–Goering at the Nuremberg Trials
I get it! Americans happily pay taxes so that their government can keep perpetual war going so that it can eventually control the world and ensure that rich Americans get richer.
Is that the American Dream? Have I got it right?
P.S. Are soldiers gunmen?
Can your family afford ANOTHER $40,000 for the next four years in Iraq?
You’re already on the hook for the first $50,000, payable on E-Z credit to the Chinese military. Don’t anger them too much about Tibet or they’ll call the loan in.
That may be so but the Pope has given his secret blessings to GWB to deal with Iran as he sees fit.
OK guys less red meat.
To all of a sudden notice your tax bucks is paying for an illegal war is duuu wake up folks time. What is it 80% of Americans are against the way the US has been heading. By the way you tax bucks isn’t paying for the war it is paying for the borrowed money for the war and will be for the next 50 years.
Wrong approach !
this web site preaches to the converted, time to go to the right wing web sites and make postings like this. Maybe win over a few that are on the fence. I am sure by some postings that is what they do here.
McCain:
I got it that is why McCain said we have to be in Iraq for 100 years. It will take that long to pay for this invasion.
Let me tell you why these people and most people are ignorant of reality when it comes to the income tax. ZERO percent, yes zero percent of the income tax goes towards government services you would expect. I’m citing the Grace Commission here, but all of our income tax goes towards servicing our debt. So yeah, bitch and moan about all your little issues instead of building coalitions with libertarians and true conservatives about the issues that matter, such as sound monetary policy that doesn’t give a small cartel of bankers the real power, the power to create money. You think wars just happen because politicians are idiots?
Hey, and the pope’s visit is a joke, isn’t it? I wanted to puke when he sat there with GWB praising America. Is anyone else getting tired of this circus side show…sigh.
So yeah, bitch and moan about all your little issues instead of building coalitions with libertarians and true conservatives…
–Sorry, I’m not in a high enough income bracket to be either, though I’d be willing to pay taxes if they were truly used to benefit the whole of society in a constructive way, and provide things that people really need.
No doubt it is of benefit to be a social Darwinist when you are at the top of the economic food chain. And whatever label you apply to yourself, or income level, a more stable society benefits you as well–whether you pay grudgingly or not.
But then the question always arises: who can we really trust to spend our hard-earned tax dollars wisely and compassionately, especially when wide-spread corruption is the rule of the day?
There needs to be UN arbitration for the dispensing of global funds and a universal citizen of earth tax, but first they got to take back all the permanent vetoes from the 5 permanent UN Security Council Members who cause all the wars.
Even if us peons quit paying taxes, dem folks with aw dat muni, huni, still gots aw da powa!
How can we get people to wake up and boycott greedy materialism (as opposed to logical materialism) when it’s sooooo gooooood? Mmmm baby. greatest nation ever
Thanks to all of the great posts here!
You people encourage me!
Peace- even one mind at a time.
Quit sending your tax money to an anonymous bank account somewhere. Quit sending your avaricious lice to Washington as the “representatives” of the People. Find out where your money is going; redirect it, and keep the lice where they can be cracked between your thumbnails.
FINALLY!
THE REALLY SAD THING IS THAT MOST F YOU OUT THERE..ARE TOO AFRAID TO NOT PAY FOR THE REALITIES OF THIS GOVERNMENT THAT YOU FEAR AND LOATH..YOU WILL SIMPLY GO AHEAD AND RATIONALIZE THAT HALF OF EVERY DOLLAR YOU SENT WILL GO TO:
TORTURE
ILLEGAL WAR
KIDNAPPING
PRIVATE MERCENARY ARMIES (YES, BLACKWATER IS A GOVERNMENT CONTRACTOR..YOU ARE PAYING THOSE IDIOTS SALLERIES AS THEY GUN DOWN 17 INNOCENT CIVILIANS..YOU PAID FOR IT..AND YOU WILL FINANCE ANOTHER YEAR OF THE SAME.)
AND ON AND ON AND ON..EVIL..ACTUAL EVIL..AND YOU ARE PICKING UP THE CHECK..WHY? I ASK YOU..WHY?
I AM GLAD THAT YOU RANT, AS I DO, AGAINST THESE INJUSTICES, THE MURDEROUS, YES, FASCIST..METHODOLGY OF THE ‘BUSH DOCTRINE’..BUT YOU HAVE TO DO MORE.AND THE BEST POSSIBLE ‘NON-VIOLENT PROTEST’ YOU CAN ACCOMPLISH..IS QUITE SIMPLY..TO NOT PAY FOR IT…IT MAKES ABSOLUTELY NO SENSE WHATSOEVER TO SIT IN FRONT OF A RECRUITING OFFICE, OR MARCH IN A ‘PROTEST’ AND THEN…STILL…PAY FOR THE VERY ACTIONS OF THE GOVERNMENT THAT YOU ARE PROTESTING? THAT IS SORT OF AN ACT OF REALLY DESPERATE RATIONALIZING..AN ACT OF..WELL..JUST AN “ACT”…BECAUSE IT REALLY HAS NO IMPACT ON THE “BOTTOM LINE” WHICH, AS AMERICA BECOMES MORE LIKE A CORPORATION, IS THE ONLY REALLY EFFECTIVE FORM OF PROTEST…AND PERHAPS THE ONLY REAL “POWER” WE HAVE LEFT..THE POWER OF THE PURSE.
SURE, IT’S RISKY..BUT HEY..IT IS NON-VIOLENT, IT IS TRUE DEMOCRATIC ACTION IN THE GRANDEST TRADITIONS OF THIS COUNTRY, AND IT IS ABSOLUTLEY RIGHT AND FAIR..WE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO, NOR SHOULD WE, PAY FOR POLICIES THAT WE FEEL ARE ILLEGAL AT BEST, AND PURE EVIL AT WORST…SO…WHILE YOU SIT THERE AND RATIONALIZE YOUR PAYING FOR THE WAR…REMEMBER THIS:
FREEDOM ISN’T FREE…YOU MIGHT ACTUALLY HAVE TO TAKE SOME RISK TO CHANGE THE “SYSTEM”..AND TO ONLY TALK..IS JUST BULLSHIT!
Tax Strike Day needs to be every day and every way.
The USA is collapsing under the load of the national debt, which is setting off hyperinflation. Not a fun picture.
The debt comes in part from Iraq, and the rest is socialism, plain and simply. We are forced to be our brother’s keeper, an irrational morality.
So here we are, Clinton, Obama and McCain, none will address the soaring $9.5 trillion debt nor the inflation getting worse every day. All are seeking more of the same tax force for whatever hair-brained objectives they might hold. Once again this time around, there’s nobody to vote for, and no check-box for “none of the above”.
WITHDRAW, don’t file taxes, don’t support this sytem, don’t submit to the force of taxes, you’re gonna need all your assets to survive the crash. And if/when we ever return to sanity, rebuild upon a morality which respects the individual
more on my http://morality101.net/blog/ - nothing to “join’, no names, just freedom.