
As physicians and health practitioners we have warned for decades about the existential threats of nuclear war and climate change and vulnerability to global pandemics. (Photo: Scott Howe/DVIDS)
Budgets Are Moral Documents: Nuclear Weapons Funding and COVID-19 Response
We are one interconnected human family on this planet and at long last, it is time to recognize this fact. The cessation of funding and elimination of nuclear weapons would be a good-faith step in recognizing this reality.
April 15 is the day we traditionally know as tax day, the day when we fund our nation's priorities. It is also the time we fund the nuclear arms race that is spiraling out of control. This year tax day has been put on pause as much of the world has. As the world addresses the global health crisis of COVID-19, our country has the opportunity to reassess our priorities through the lens of caring for one another and basic human needs. For ultimately in the words of theologian Jim Wallis, of Sojourners magazine, "Budgets are moral documents." How does this year's budget address those health and economic needs and inequalities which are so readily apparent at this time.
As our nation grapples with the health and economic impacts of COVID-19, we continue to fund nuclear weapons programs in the amount of 67.595 billion dollars for fiscal year 2020.
As our nation grapples with the health and economic impacts of COVID-19, we continue to fund nuclear weapons programs in the amount of 67.595 billion dollars for fiscal year 2020. This deprives cities, counties and states across the nation of critical funds in the midst of this health crisis. Large states like New York are spending in excess of 41/2 billion dollars and California spending over $8.7 billion on nuclear weapons programs robbing our treasuries of critical funds necessary at this time. The economically challenged city of Flint, Michigan dealing with their own COVID-19 cases and healing from their water crisis of the last decade will spend $9.6 million. Where is the sanity?
As physicians and health practitioners we have warned for decades about the existential threats of nuclear war and climate change and vulnerability to global pandemics. These threats are real and happening now.
This is a 9-11 moment when the whole world is ONE. We failed to recognize this after 9-11 entering into the most protracted, expensive and deadly war in our nation's history. Let this not be a time when similar errors in response are made. We are one interconnected human family on this planet and at long last it is time to recognize this fact. The cessation of funding and elimination of nuclear weapons would be a good faith step in recognizing this reality.
An Urgent Message From Our Co-Founder
Dear Common Dreams reader, The U.S. is on a fast track to authoritarianism like nothing I've ever seen. Meanwhile, corporate news outlets are utterly capitulating to Trump, twisting their coverage to avoid drawing his ire while lining up to stuff cash in his pockets. That's why I believe that Common Dreams is doing the best and most consequential reporting that we've ever done. Our small but mighty team is a progressive reporting powerhouse, covering the news every day that the corporate media never will. Our mission has always been simple: To inform. To inspire. And to ignite change for the common good. Now here's the key piece that I want all our readers to understand: None of this would be possible without your financial support. That's not just some fundraising cliche. It's the absolute and literal truth. We don't accept corporate advertising and never will. We don't have a paywall because we don't think people should be blocked from critical news based on their ability to pay. Everything we do is funded by the donations of readers like you. The final deadline for our crucial Summer Campaign fundraising drive is just days away, and we’re falling short of our must-hit goal. Will you donate now to help power the nonprofit, independent reporting of Common Dreams? Thank you for being a vital member of our community. Together, we can keep independent journalism alive when it’s needed most. - Craig Brown, Co-founder |
April 15 is the day we traditionally know as tax day, the day when we fund our nation's priorities. It is also the time we fund the nuclear arms race that is spiraling out of control. This year tax day has been put on pause as much of the world has. As the world addresses the global health crisis of COVID-19, our country has the opportunity to reassess our priorities through the lens of caring for one another and basic human needs. For ultimately in the words of theologian Jim Wallis, of Sojourners magazine, "Budgets are moral documents." How does this year's budget address those health and economic needs and inequalities which are so readily apparent at this time.
As our nation grapples with the health and economic impacts of COVID-19, we continue to fund nuclear weapons programs in the amount of 67.595 billion dollars for fiscal year 2020.
As our nation grapples with the health and economic impacts of COVID-19, we continue to fund nuclear weapons programs in the amount of 67.595 billion dollars for fiscal year 2020. This deprives cities, counties and states across the nation of critical funds in the midst of this health crisis. Large states like New York are spending in excess of 41/2 billion dollars and California spending over $8.7 billion on nuclear weapons programs robbing our treasuries of critical funds necessary at this time. The economically challenged city of Flint, Michigan dealing with their own COVID-19 cases and healing from their water crisis of the last decade will spend $9.6 million. Where is the sanity?
As physicians and health practitioners we have warned for decades about the existential threats of nuclear war and climate change and vulnerability to global pandemics. These threats are real and happening now.
This is a 9-11 moment when the whole world is ONE. We failed to recognize this after 9-11 entering into the most protracted, expensive and deadly war in our nation's history. Let this not be a time when similar errors in response are made. We are one interconnected human family on this planet and at long last it is time to recognize this fact. The cessation of funding and elimination of nuclear weapons would be a good faith step in recognizing this reality.
April 15 is the day we traditionally know as tax day, the day when we fund our nation's priorities. It is also the time we fund the nuclear arms race that is spiraling out of control. This year tax day has been put on pause as much of the world has. As the world addresses the global health crisis of COVID-19, our country has the opportunity to reassess our priorities through the lens of caring for one another and basic human needs. For ultimately in the words of theologian Jim Wallis, of Sojourners magazine, "Budgets are moral documents." How does this year's budget address those health and economic needs and inequalities which are so readily apparent at this time.
As our nation grapples with the health and economic impacts of COVID-19, we continue to fund nuclear weapons programs in the amount of 67.595 billion dollars for fiscal year 2020.
As our nation grapples with the health and economic impacts of COVID-19, we continue to fund nuclear weapons programs in the amount of 67.595 billion dollars for fiscal year 2020. This deprives cities, counties and states across the nation of critical funds in the midst of this health crisis. Large states like New York are spending in excess of 41/2 billion dollars and California spending over $8.7 billion on nuclear weapons programs robbing our treasuries of critical funds necessary at this time. The economically challenged city of Flint, Michigan dealing with their own COVID-19 cases and healing from their water crisis of the last decade will spend $9.6 million. Where is the sanity?
As physicians and health practitioners we have warned for decades about the existential threats of nuclear war and climate change and vulnerability to global pandemics. These threats are real and happening now.
This is a 9-11 moment when the whole world is ONE. We failed to recognize this after 9-11 entering into the most protracted, expensive and deadly war in our nation's history. Let this not be a time when similar errors in response are made. We are one interconnected human family on this planet and at long last it is time to recognize this fact. The cessation of funding and elimination of nuclear weapons would be a good faith step in recognizing this reality.