October 28, 2008
Cost of War
Grecia Quijije asked:
As of today, reports currently demonstrate that the United States is responsible for 47% of the world’s total military spending. The current national debt consists of 80% towards military spending; analysts believe that if there had been no military spending most of the national debt would have been eliminated. This massive expenditure has created a further burden on our already excessive national debt.
During the second presidential debate, President elect Barack Obama, argued that the high cost of the Iraq war was near $700 billion since the beginning of the war. This figure is not far off from what various analysts have estimated the cost to be. For instance, The National Priorities Project and My War Tax – What does Iraq cost you? estimate the current amount to be $575,383,700,000 which continuous to increase on a daily basis. For example, the State of Pennsylvania alone has contributed with over $21 billion toward the war. This money could have been used towards additional services to further improve the community. For instance, 1,637,916 scholarships could have been created for university students who are being greatly affected by the cuts produced by the money shifted to the war.
How much of the federal tax withheld from your check is used for the military purposes? Suppose your filing status in 2006 is head of household and your taxable income is around $46,000 per year, the cost of war for individuals based on your taxable income would be $6,858 of total federal taxes. From this amount, $1,998.29 will be your total share toward the cost of the war. This figure is then split between two sections. The war tax paid that consists of $663.47 and the “war tax still owed” of $1,334 an amount not yet paid, an expense that will be incurred in the future. It includes current spending and budgetary costs such as future operating costs, and veteran’s health care. If you are interested in finding out how much you are contributing with the cost of war, the link is www.mywartax.org/costbytax.php.
Imagine putting away almost $2,000 per year for 30 years to have some money towards your retirement, it will reach near a total of $60,000. This money may be of some relief for the many people who are currently worried for the future of social security. Wouldn’t anyone like some extra cash with no tax due? I know I would.
Now, is there anything we can do to avoid this extra expense in our lives? Yes, there is. We could refuse to pay for it. Although is considered illegal by the government, there are several organizations that inform and support individuals who are considering this option. Some organizations that help the public are the National War Tax Resistance Coordinating Committee, War Tax Resistance, War Tax Boycott, and Hang Up on War Resisters League. Even though this money will not go to your pocket, it will serve other purposes for the community such as non-profit organizations. Other ways to protest against the war tax are to write letters to the president, congress, local papers, or to support organizations such as The National Campaign for a Peace Tax Fund. The purpose of this organization is to get a bill passed to have the current war tax money used for non-military purposes. These organizations have become a support group for those who share similar ideas against the war.
Justin
As of today, reports currently demonstrate that the United States is responsible for 47% of the world’s total military spending. The current national debt consists of 80% towards military spending; analysts believe that if there had been no military spending most of the national debt would have been eliminated. This massive expenditure has created a further burden on our already excessive national debt.
During the second presidential debate, President elect Barack Obama, argued that the high cost of the Iraq war was near $700 billion since the beginning of the war. This figure is not far off from what various analysts have estimated the cost to be. For instance, The National Priorities Project and My War Tax – What does Iraq cost you? estimate the current amount to be $575,383,700,000 which continuous to increase on a daily basis. For example, the State of Pennsylvania alone has contributed with over $21 billion toward the war. This money could have been used towards additional services to further improve the community. For instance, 1,637,916 scholarships could have been created for university students who are being greatly affected by the cuts produced by the money shifted to the war.
How much of the federal tax withheld from your check is used for the military purposes? Suppose your filing status in 2006 is head of household and your taxable income is around $46,000 per year, the cost of war for individuals based on your taxable income would be $6,858 of total federal taxes. From this amount, $1,998.29 will be your total share toward the cost of the war. This figure is then split between two sections. The war tax paid that consists of $663.47 and the “war tax still owed” of $1,334 an amount not yet paid, an expense that will be incurred in the future. It includes current spending and budgetary costs such as future operating costs, and veteran’s health care. If you are interested in finding out how much you are contributing with the cost of war, the link is www.mywartax.org/costbytax.php.
Imagine putting away almost $2,000 per year for 30 years to have some money towards your retirement, it will reach near a total of $60,000. This money may be of some relief for the many people who are currently worried for the future of social security. Wouldn’t anyone like some extra cash with no tax due? I know I would.
Now, is there anything we can do to avoid this extra expense in our lives? Yes, there is. We could refuse to pay for it. Although is considered illegal by the government, there are several organizations that inform and support individuals who are considering this option. Some organizations that help the public are the National War Tax Resistance Coordinating Committee, War Tax Resistance, War Tax Boycott, and Hang Up on War Resisters League. Even though this money will not go to your pocket, it will serve other purposes for the community such as non-profit organizations. Other ways to protest against the war tax are to write letters to the president, congress, local papers, or to support organizations such as The National Campaign for a Peace Tax Fund. The purpose of this organization is to get a bill passed to have the current war tax money used for non-military purposes. These organizations have become a support group for those who share similar ideas against the war.
Justin
