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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.
Apr 16, 2020
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.
We are at a crossroads
This country and this world are at a monumental crossroads. US voters have an opportunity to beat back the forces of fascism and confront the billionaires who are rigging the economy, our media system, and our democracy, making it increasingly impossible for ordinary people to get by. We’re not just talking about the election. We’re talking about what must be done once these fascist elements are vanquished from power. We need a bolder set of solutions than what either major party has so far been willing to offer and a working-class movement ready to fight like hell for it. Trump didn't emerge from nowhere. The conditions that fueled MAGA authoritarianism were created by decades of radical neoliberal economic policies and a corrupt political system dominated by corporate interests. They slashed taxes on the super-rich, promising that the benefits would trickle down. They said giveaways to the corporate titans would make life more affordable for the rest of us. It was all bullshit. And when a bitter, betrayed populace searches for someone to blame, right-wing demagogues have little trouble finding scapegoats. People know when they're being lied to, but you won't hear any of this from the corporate media. Only independent journalism—powered and funded by people who believe in building a better world—can deliver truly trustworthy daily news. If you share our vision, please contribute whatever you can to sustain our work. |
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Robert Dodge
Robert Dodge, MD, is a retired family physician living in Ojai, California. He serves on the board of Physicians for Social Responsibility Los Angeles (www.psr-la.org), and serves as the co-chair of the Committee to Abolish Nuclear Weapons of National Physicians for Social Responsibility (www.psr.org). Physicians for Social Responsibility is the US affiliate of the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War who received the 1985 Nobel Peace Prize and is a partner organization of ICAN, recipient of the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize. He also serves on the Back From the Brink (www.preventnuclearwar.org) steering committee.
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.
Robert Dodge
Robert Dodge, MD, is a retired family physician living in Ojai, California. He serves on the board of Physicians for Social Responsibility Los Angeles (www.psr-la.org), and serves as the co-chair of the Committee to Abolish Nuclear Weapons of National Physicians for Social Responsibility (www.psr.org). Physicians for Social Responsibility is the US affiliate of the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War who received the 1985 Nobel Peace Prize and is a partner organization of ICAN, recipient of the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize. He also serves on the Back From the Brink (www.preventnuclearwar.org) steering committee.
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.
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