It seems like everyday there is a new reason to engage in war tax refusal; it seems there are more people joining the ranks. News pundits and citizens alike have been equating the costs of war with the lack of social services throughout the US. Not surprisingly the initial costs of the war with Iran at $1 Billion a day were underestimated by the Pentagon. The first 2 days of war cost US taxpayers at least $5.6 Billion in munitions alone. The costs of war are being pushed globally onto consumers in increased energy, transportation and household goods.
In recent days, Donald Trump has declared that the US has a “virtually unlimited supply” of weapons; thus concluding that “Wars can be fought forever.” The arrogance of that statement alone is an insult to all of the workers who struggle to afford the most basic necessities of life while over half of their federal income taxes go towards war and militarism. The statement is flat out false as well. Even prior to the most recent escalation of war with Iran, the US was in short supply of interceptor missiles. About 25% of the total stock of US interceptors were used in the 12 day war in June with Iran that cost US taxpayers over $ 2 Billion according to the Costs of War Project. A bulk of the costs were for interceptors at about $15 million for the THAAD units and $4 million for the Patriot models. The US also employed the largest non nuclear weapon to bomb Iran’s nuclear facilities.
In January Trump issued an Executive Order to pressure weapon manufacturers to increase production by threatening executive pay and prohibiting stock buybacks by companies deemed to be ‘under performing.’ At the end of the first week of war, Trump met with the CEOs of the top 7 weapons manufacturers who agreed to quadruple the stockpile of ‘exquisite class’ weapons. The following week on a Friday night, the State Department declared an emergency with the war on Iran to bypass Congressional approval to sell over 20,000 bombs to Israel estimated at nearly $600 million. Earlier this year the State Department simply bypassed Congressional approval to send weapon systems valued at $6.5 Billion to Israel.
All of the numbers are a lot to take in. Fortunately our friends at the War Resisters League have put it all together in an easy to digest Pie Chart. The breakdown of federal income taxes for Fiscal Year 2027 are difficult to digest with 58% going towards war. The newest pie charts that came out in the last week may not fully incorporate the true costs of war with a proposed $50 Billion in supplemental military spending.
We have heard from some in the NWTRCC network who have already been gathering for Pi Day to discuss the obscene amount of taxpayer money going towards war and militarism. While the idea of celebrating Pi Day has been catching on, NWTRCC has been planting the seed of connecting military spending to Pi Day for years. There was a recent article asking and answering ‘Why do peace activists celebrate Pi Day?’
Photo by Chrissy Kirchhoefer
With so many people filling out taxes online these days and realizing that everyday can be an opportunity to talk about how much of our tax money goes towards militarism, NWTRCC decided to put an extra push towards Pi Day activities prior to Tax Day. Let us know how it went if you celebrated Pi Day this year; we would love to see photos of pies, penny polls or any other way you may have celebrated Peace on Pi Day. Also reach out to the NWTRCC office if you would like Pie Charts to educate around Tax Season this year or find them here.
Post by Chrissy Kirchhoefer