Tell your members of Congress today that any deal to address the so-called “fiscal cliff” must include significant cuts to the Pentagon and preserve funding for programs that support people living in poverty in this country and around the world.

Background: Negotiations continue between the White House and congressional leaders about a “grand bargain.” The idea is to reduce the deficit and avert the so-called fiscal cliff—the expiration of tax cuts, the need to raise the debt ceiling and the automatic sequestration cuts that are all scheduled to kick in at the end of the year.

Members of Congress—including those who are not directly involved in the negotiations—need to hear from their constituents what their priorities are, as they will need to vote yea or nay on any deal that is reached.

Your efforts so far have helped, as it looks increasingly likely that at least some Pentagon cuts will be part of any final deal. However, given the tremendous costs of the wars, the fast rise in Pentagon spending since 9/11 and the fact that Pentagon spending already makes up more than half of all discretionary spending, it is critical that the cuts be substantive. Groups from the left to the right have released reports showing how the Pentagon can cut as much as $1 trillion over the next decade. Learn more.

Faith reflection: As Mennonites, we believe that true security is not found in weapons or tanks. No matter how much we spend, we can never be perfectly safe. Security comes instead when resources are shared equitably, people can trust that their basic needs will be met and they know that they can work out differences with one another without turning to violence. Governments can use their resources to promote these basic aims, which cost far less than military hardware.

Action: Send an email today to your members of Congress, telling them that any deal to address the so-called “fiscal cliff” must include significant cuts to the Pentagon and preserve funding for programs that support people living in poverty in this country and around the world.

Alert prepared December 18, 2012 by Rachelle Lyndaker Schlabach, director, rals@mcc.org.