In his Farewell Address in 1961, President Dwight D. Eisenhower reminded us that after World War II the US created a permanent armaments industry of vast proportions for the first time in its history. Although he believed the international situation “compelled” the nation to do this, he also warned that this industry would create what he called a “military-industrial complex.” This, he warned, would pose a serious threat to US democracy. In this address he told the nation, “In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist,” he told the nation.
Unfortunately, the “councils of government” ignored President Eisenhower's warning and the military-industrial complex grew like cancer beyond anything he might have imagined. The military budget now consumes more than half of our nation's discretionary funds. This makes the economy increasingly dependent on military spending and national politics and priorities increasingly vulnerable to the influence of the arms industry and the military.
The Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL), a Quaker organization, is among the numerous faith-based groups that are addressing this issue. Below we share an article on this subject which appeared in their recent newsletter.
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A Budget That Reflects Our Values
Source: Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL)
As families across the country stretch every dollar just to get by, President Trump has made an outrageous request for 2027 for more than $1.15 trillion of our tax dollars to go to the Pentagon’s already swollen budget—partly to fund the nation’s illegal and unpopular war with Iran. This represents an increase of at least $150 billion over last year’s Pentagon budget!
The results of this mis-investment of our money would be suffering and distress for people worldwide. Beyond the unacceptable destruction, death, and long-term unrest that comes from warmaking, diverting obscene amounts of public money to the Pentagon starves funding for programs like health care, SNAP food assistance, and other vital programs that improve people’s lives.
This is immoral.
No matter what happens in next month’s election, those in Congress right now have an obligation to listen to the people—and FCNL is speaking out.
Budgets are moral documents. They show what, and who, we value as a country. FCNL is calling on Congress to reject more funding for the Pentagon’s budget and the unauthorized Iran war. As you and I know, there are so many better ways to spend our tax money.
Congress will soon be voting on the 2027 National Defense Authorization Act.
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IPWG Call to Action
The Interfaith Peace Working Group urges readers of this newsletter to contact their US Senators and their own congressional representative and ask them to reject the increase in military spending proposed in this legislation.
