MN ASAP Resolution

Minnesota Arms Spending Alternatives Project (MN ASAP) Resolution

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Whereas in 2011 Minnesota government was shut down over disputes as to how to address a $5 billion two-year budget shortfall; and

Whereas Minnesota taxpayer spending for war far exceeds the state’s budget deficits with Minnesotans having spent nearly $5 billion to fund the Iraq and Afghan wars in 2011 alone, bringing total Minnesota taxpayer spending for these wars to more than $37 billion; and,

Whereas in addition to these costly wars Minnesota tax payers will spend more than $16 billion in 2012 for our share of the base Pentagon budget, a budget that increased from $290.5 billion to $526 billion between 2000 and 2011; and,

Whereas many cities and communities in Minnesota are managing austerity budgets and laying off police, firefighters, and teachers while cutting essential services; and,

Whereas 59 cents of every dollar of federal discretionary spending is devoted to military purposes;[1] and,

Whereas the budget for veterans is separate from the military budget we seek to cut, and our nation has a responsibility to provide veterans with quality medical care and other support, including opportunities for meaningful jobs; and,

Whereas renowned economist Jeffrey Sachs says that by 2015 the United States “should be able to slash the military budget by at least half” and that doing so and having a “smarter foreign policy” are the keys to economic recovery and resolving the nation’s debt issues;[2] and,

Whereas our nation desperately needs to better balance its approach to national security to include the economic, social, and environmental needs of our communities, state, and nation;

**Local groups can add their own whereas statement here:

Therefore be it resolved that we, *______________________________ call on Senators Klobuchar and Franken, and Representatives Walz, Kline, Paulsen, McCollum, Ellison, Bachmann, Peterson and Cravaack as well as President Barack Obama, to shift federal funding priorities from war and the interests of the few, to meeting the essential needs of us all.

*e.g. the Legislature of the State of Minnesota or Duluth City Council or Minneapolis Library Board or Trinity Church, etc…

Approved ______________________________________       _________________________

(signature and date)

**Individual groups can also add whereas clauses from this list of optional clauses:

Whereas over the past decade budget cuts in Minnesota have resulted in painful reductions in essential services, and future cuts would further erode the quality of life for and, in fact, endanger the lives of many citizens; and,

Whereas the agreement to end the shutdown relied on further cuts to social services and education, under‑investment in essential infrastructure, and other economic gimmicks that push the crisis onto local governments and the poor; and,

Whereas military spending priorities at the national level negatively impact budgets and quality of life at all levels of government and society; and,

Whereas Minnesotans need living wage jobs but money spent in the military sector creates relatively few jobs per billion dollars spent; and,

Whereas investments in clean energy, health care, and education create a much larger number of jobs across all pay ranges;

Whereas in order to address pressing environmental concerns, including climate change and the need to build a renewable energy economy, we need to shift spending priorities away from militarism and war; and

Whereas as many people die every three weeks from lack of health insurance in the United States as were killed in the 9/11 attacks and this is just one example of distorted priorities and flawed definitions of security;

MN ASAP will add your group’s endorsement to our website, mnasap.org, and will communicate your action to President Barak Obama and to Congressional Representatives in your district. You can confirm your organization’s endorsement online using the form below or mail us a hard copy to: MN ASAP, c/o Community of St. Martin, 2720 E. 22^nd Street, Minneapolis, MN 55406.

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© Copyright 2011 - Minnesota Alternative Arms Spending Project
Community of St. Martin, 2720 E. 22nd Street, Minneapolis, MN 55406 connect@mnasap.org