Current Actions

Say No to Runaway Military Spending!
The $640 billion National Defense Authorization Act will be voted on by the House starting Wednesday.

Please contact your Representative to tell him or her to support amendments to audit the Pentagon budget, cut boondoggle weapons systems, nuclear weapons and foreign bases (while protecting healthcare and other programs for troops and veterans), end the Afghanistan war, rein in the lethal drones program, and end the Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) that gave a green light to the past decade of endless warfare.
Syria: Escalate the Talk, Not the War

Tell the president, “we need to escalate the talk, not the war.” Please sign our petition, and feel free to add your own thoughts, and to forward it to your friends and family.
[PA] Syria Petition

Tell the president, “we need to escalate the talk, not the war.” Please sign our petition, and feel free to add your own thoughts, and to forward it to your friends and family.
Oppose S. Res. 65 Which Supports Israeli Attack on Iran
Stop the Backdoor to War with Iran

As early as Wednesday the Senate plans to vote in support of Israeli strikes on Iran. It is important that we reach Senators Warren and Cowan to tell them to vote no.

The Senate is expected to pass S.Res.65, which urges that if Netanyahu decides to bomb Iran, the U.S. should provide full support.

This is a nonbinding resolution, meaning it will not become law. But the pro-war hawks are setting the stage for such action and this could be one of the final steps. Unfortunately both Sen Elizabeth Warren and Sen Mo Cowan have joined 89 other Senators endorsing this resolution. Support for this resolution has been falsely portrayed as a litmus test for support for Israel.

Our U.S. Senators Warren and Cowan must hear from us that we oppose the gradual push to war and that they should oppose these measures when they are voted on tomorrow even thoughb they had previously announced support. If they only hear from the vocal minority who want war, instead of the overwhelming number of Americans who oppose war with Iran, they will continue to push forward until it’s too late.

Tell Senators Warren and Cowan to reconsider and stand up against a backdoor to war and vote No on S Res 65
Support SANE Act
Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA) has just reintroduced the SANE Act to put a huge dent in the billions wasted on nuclear weapons every year, and stop plans to build new nuclear bomb factories. The bill — named after Peace Action's founding organization — would save up to $117 billion over the next ten years by stopping upgrades to nuclear bombs and canceling costly replacement fleets of nuclear-armed submarines, bombers and missiles. Ask your Representative to cosponsor now!
The F-35 military aircraft is the most expensive mistake in Pentagon budget history.
The F-35 is billions over budget and years behind schedule. Recently grounded - yet again - the F-35 has been plagued by cost overruns, structural problems and numerous ‘glitches’ in the high tech equipment and software. The total cost, now projected at over $395 billion ($162 million per plane), will contribute mightily to our national debt. The United States plans to buy just over 2,400 of the fighter jets for the Air Force, the Marine Corps and the Navy. For what?

Just three years ago the Pentagon canceled further production of the F-22, another overly expensive, underperforming aircraft we didn’t need. Join Peace Action in demanding the cancelation of the F-35 program. Congress should redirect military spending to fund the transition to green sustainable jobs and the manufacturing needs of a 21st century economy.
President Obama: It's A Bad Idea!
The President’s budget proposes cuts for seniors, veterans, people with disabilities; the most vulnerable members of our society. Let's tell the President and Congress that before there are any further cuts are made to the social safety net, the Pentagon needs to cut funding for war and weapons contractors. Cosmetic reductions to the largest bureaucracy in the world that targets primarily cost of living increases in military salaries and raises healthcare fees won't cut it. Let's cancel the blank check for war, exotic new weapons and nuclear overkill first.
Diplomacy, Not Escalation, Needed on the Korean Peninsula
Provocative actions, such as war games that simulate U.S. nuclear attacks on North Korea by B-2 and B-52 bombers, and F-22 fighters just deployed to South Korea are simply fanning the flames of war. Restraint and diplomacy, not threats and saber rattling, are what's needed. Please write the President here, urging him to stop flexing U.S. military muscle and use diplomacy to defuse the crisis on the Korean Peninsula.
Shut the Backdoor to War
This is a crucial point in preventing war with Iran. Despite progress being made last week in talks between the P5 + 1 and Iran in Kazakhstan and despite repeated assurances from experts that Iran is years away from a nuclear weapon IF it chooses that path, Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) introduced legislation (S. Res 65) that would urge the U.S. to back Israel militarily if it attacked Iran.

Take a moment now to write Congress to oppose war and support diplomacy.
Stop the Pentagon Contactor CEOs
The deadline for $1.2 trillion in automatic spending cuts is fast approaching, and Congress is working to make a deal.

This could be our best opportunity to rein in Pentagon spending. We simply have to stop paying for the things we don't need so that we can afford the things we do - like Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.

Lobbyists representing fat cat Pentagon contractors are already circling the halls of Congress to ensure they get the best deal. Now it’s time Congress heard from the People too.

Join Peace Action and USAction as we call on Congress to cut wasteful Pentagon spending, not Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.
Zero is the Number
Leave no soldiers behind. Zero is the correct troop level and should be achieved at the earliest date. US military operations in Afghanistan are more likely to destabilize the government than achieve a political outcome favorable to the real interests of the American people - and that would be peace.

Tell President Obama you support the safe and complete pullout at the earliest possible date, Tell him its time to end this war and bring all our troops home.
Jobs Not Wars!
Jobs-Not-Wars is a time-limited petition campaign spearheaded by Military Families Speak Out to urge the president and congress to abandon austerity solutions to the deficit and instead to end the war, cut military spending, tax the super-rich, and redirect resources to restore and protect the social safety net, create jobs, deal with climate change and meet other urgent social needs. The deadline for signatures is Friday, February 1st!
Respect the Will of the Voters - Prosperity not Austerity
Tell your members of Congress to stop the cutbacks, create jobs, tax those who can best afford it, bring the troops home and cut the Pentagon budget, as Massachusetts voters said by a 3 to 1 margin in November.
SCRIPT YOUR SENATOR: Questions on DRONES for Durbin
John Brennan is Obama's nominee for CIA director. But as counterterrorism advisor, he has a record of expanded drone use overseas. Send this letter to Senator Durbin in preparation for Brennan's hearing on February 7, 2013.
SCRIPT YOUR SENATOR: Questions on DRONES for Durbin
John Brennan is Obama's nominee for CIA director. But as counterterrorism advisor, he has a record of expanded drone use overseas. Send this letter to Senator Durbin in preparation for Brennan's hearing on February 7, 2013.
Sign Letter for Energy Tax Credit Set to Expire in Days!
Letter to President and Congress to renew the Renewable Energy Production Tax Credit rather than letting it expire
Letter to Obama: STOP Keystone XL!

Letter of Petition to Barack Obama to Cancel the proposed Keystone XL tar sands pipeline.
A Petition to Reduce Military Spending
We Agree With Colin Powell
There is no fiscal cliff, what's needed is a fiscal showdown. Join Peace Action in calling on Congress to keep its 'hands off Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid.' No more cuts in programs that meet the needs of our communities and most vulnerable citizens. First, the federal government must stop wasting our tax dollars on war and weapons and corporations and super rich need to pay their fair share.
Tell Congress You Support Diplomacy Not War
After over a decade of two costly wars in Iraq and Afghanistan that have exploded our national debt and stretched our Armed Forces to their limit, we don’t need another war in the Middle East. With war rhetoric at a fevered pitch, please write your Congressional delegation and ask them to support diplomacy and thwart any country from striking Iran.
Tell Congress You Support Diplomacy Not War
After over a decade of two costly wars in Iraq and Afghanistan that have exploded our national debt and stretched our Armed Forces to their limit, we don’t need another war in the Middle East. With war rhetoric at a fevered pitch, please write your Congressional delegation and ask them to support diplomacy and thwart any country from striking Iran.
Peace Voter Pledge
Prioritize funding our communities and human needs, not the Pentagon

Poll after poll shows people want the government to cut Pentagon spending and fund human needs. A recent survey showed 80% of voters in Congressional districts represented by Democrats and 74% in Republican districts favored lower military spending - putting them at odds with their Congressional representatives.
Shame on you, Mr. Noda.
The People of Japan need your help!

PLEASE SIGN THIS PETITION

For over a year the people of Japan have had to endure the hardships coming from the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami, and the triple meltdown at the Fukushima nuclear power plant which has contaminated large areas of the country. They now are calling on the people of the world for help against a new threat which they hadn’t counted on – their own government!

Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda is in the process of allowing the re-start of some of Japan’s 54 nuclear reactors – over the objections of the local government and the majority of the people. The Japanese people have put out an international call for help, asking people to contact the Prime Minister urging him to continue the moratorium on nuclear power in Japan, and replace it with energy efficiency and renewable energy.
Prevent Doomsday - Take Nuclear Weapons Off Hair-Trigger Alert
Dear Mr. President

Today, two decades after the end of the Cold War, one-third of U.S. strategic forces, including almost all land-based missiles and some sea-based, are still on launch-ready alert. Recently, retired Gen. James Cartwright, a former vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, called for rethinking this posture. We agree.

You pledged in your 2008 campaign to work with Russia to take missiles off launch-ready alert status, and the idea was examined in the administration’s 2010 Nuclear Posture Review. It is feasible, can be done in a number of ways, and, in 2012, 21 years after the end of the Cold War, it's simply time to do so.
It’s time to stop wasting our tax dollars on nuclear overkill

In February, U.S. Representative Ed Markey introduced the SANE Act -- designed to slash U.S. nuclear weapons expenditures by $100 billion over the next decade.

The SANE Act would leave the US with a nuclear arsenal second to none, but would cancel plans to produce new, more 'usable' nuclear weapons we don't need and make us less safe.
The War in Afghanistan is Unwinnable - so Stop it Now!
This action page allows you to send an e-mail to your House Representative, Senators Kerry and Brown, and President Obama, calling on them to bring the troops home now from Afghanistan as specified in the Responsible End to the War in Afghanistan Act (HR. 780).
It’s time to stop wasting our tax dollars on nuclear overkill
In February, U.S. Representative Ed Markey introduced the SANE Act -- designed to slash U.S. nuclear weapons expenditures by $100 billion over the next decade.

The SANE Act would leave the US with a nuclear arsenal second to none, but would cancel plans to produce new, more 'usable' nuclear weapons we don't need and make us less safe.

In order to address your message to the appropriate recipient, we need to identify where you are.
Please enter your zip/postal code:
Support the Budget for All
of the Congressional Progressive Caucus

Tell your Representative we need the "Budget for All!"

Failed federal leadership caused and deepened the Great Recession, perilous inequality, and other economic crises and reversals. The Ryan Plan would double-down on these failed policies, and risk double-dip recession. The President's proposals are a step in the right direction, but don't do enough. We need the "Budget for All," strong leadership and wise policies to get America moving again.

Please call (202) 244-3121, ask for your Representative, and identify yourself as a constituent.

Ask him or her to vote for Budget for All.

Then send an email using the form below.

Calls count more than email, although both are important. Thank you!

Tell your Representative and Senators that the "Budget for All" would:

• End emergency war funding beginning in FY '14, reduce base discretionary defense spending.
• Bring our troops home and realign national security strategy, saving $1.1 trillion over 10 years.
• Invest $2.9 trillion in jobs, manufacturing, alternative energy, entrepreneurs and small business.
• Let Bush-era tax cuts expire for the highest incomes in '12, enact a high net-worth surcharge.
• Treat capital gains and qualified dividends as ordinary income.
• Limit regressive itemized deductions for high earners.
• End corporate welfare, establish accountability to discourage--not subsidize--harmful activity.
• Reduce deficits $6.8 trillion, cut spending $749 billion, reduce debt to 62.3% of GDP by '22.
• Much more! (See the "Budget for All" for more details and rationale.)

Tell your Representative and Senators to vote for the "Budget for All!"

Please join us! Tell your Representative and your Senators that we need the "Budget for All." Tell them to vote for and actively support the "Budget for All."

Then, please share this action alert with all your friends and contacts.
The NC Costs of War Petition
It’s time: tell your representative to support end of combat in Afghanistan in 2013
In February, U.S. Representative Ed Markey introduced the SANE Act -- designed to slash U.S. nuclear weapons expenditures by $100 billion over the next decade.

The SANE Act would leave the US with a nuclear arsenal second to none, but would cancel plans to produce new, more 'usable' nuclear weapons we don't need and make us less safe.
Tell Chicago PBS stations: Let the Winter Soldiers be televised!
Wouldn't you like to know?

In March of 2008, two hundred and fifty veterans and active-duty soldiers marked the fifth anniversary of the invasion of Iraq by gathering in Washington, DC, to testify from their own experience about the nature of the occupations of Afghanistan and Iraq.

"This is so important on so many levels. I’m tired of seeing people die, I’m tired of funerals, but it’s so dangerous at the same time just to be speaking out."

-Selena Coppa, Winter Soldier: Iraq | Afghanistan Participant

This is Where We Take Our Stand is the inside story of these veteran's courageous testimonies. However, local PBS stations and affiliates have not yet scheduled the documentary to be shown in the Chicago-land area.

Do you think it's important to hear testomonies from Iraq and Afghan veterans?

These brave soldiers and veterans are challenging a public silence that runs very deep. Sign the petition to tell your local PBS station to air This is Where We Take Our Stand.
Cut military spending, invest in America
Rep. Buck McKeon has filed legislation, H.R. 3662, to exempt the Pentagon from deficit reduction cuts. Sen. John McCain plans to file similar legislation in the Senate. Tell your Senators and Congressional representative to oppose the "Down Payment to Protect National Security Act of 2012".
No War With Iran
Thanks to a collaborative effort around the country, National Peace Action successfully delivered over 70,000 petition signatures to top officials in the White House calling on the President to choose diplomacy, not war, with Iran. In light of this success, the petition will be kept open, and additional signatures will be delivered to the White House as they come in. Please continue this success by adding your name now!
Sign the Petition to Prevent War with Iran
We won't wait for the bombs to drop to make our voices heard. Tell President Obama that another war isn't what this country needs! More information
Sign the Petition to Prevent War with Iran
We won't wait for the bombs to drop to make our voices heard. Tell President Obama that another war isn't what this country needs!

Sign now! We need to deliver our second wave of signatures to the Obama Administration very soon.
Tell President Obama to Reject the Keystone XL Pipeline and lay out a Clean Energy Strategy for the Future!
Tell President Obama: Reject the Keystone XL Pipeline.
Send the Senate some Sense
Send the Senate some Sense

It just makes sense.

The Global War on Terror has become the longest, most expensive war in U.S. history. Our nation spends more on the military than the next 17 nations combined. Now, our economy is wrecked and conservatives are threatening cuts to critical human needs.

It's time to move the money!

But after three months of talks, the bi-partisan members of the so-called Super Committee are set to announce they're giving up. With a mandate to identify over $1 trillion in federal spending cuts over the next 10 years, the committee has failed to reach an agreement.

Shackled by corporate lobbyists, the Super Committee has failed to make the sensible cuts to Pentagon spending that we need to save our nation's economy.

Next week, the Senate will vote on amendments to end the wars and cut Pentagon spending. Send them some sense! End the wars and move the money!

Use our online form below to send a message to your Senators today!
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Send the Senate some Sense

It just makes sense.

The Global War on Terror has become the longest, most expensive war in U.S. history. Our nation spends more on the military than the next 17 nations combined. Now, our economy is wrecked and conservatives are threatening cuts to critical human needs.

It's time to move the money!

But after three months of talks, the bi-partisan members of the so-called Super Committee are set to announce they're giving up. With a mandate to identify over $1 trillion in federal spending cuts over the next 10 years, the committee has failed to reach an agreement.

Shackled by corporate lobbyists, the Super Committee has failed to make the sensible cuts to Pentagon spending that we need to save our nation's economy.

Next week, the Senate will vote on amendments to end the wars and cut Pentagon spending. Send them some sense! End the wars and move the money!

Use our online form below to send a message to your Senators today!
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Representative Fitzpatrick: We Need Jobs, Not War!

Sign the letter and urge the Congressman to cut military spending so that our country can better fund urgent needs at home.

Buxmont Coalition for Peace Action
MoCo Council Resolution

YES to Council's Resolution Supporting Federal Budget Reprioritization

Agenda Item #: 2(A)
Introduced: October 4,2011

Proposed Action:

The County Council for Montgomery County Maryland approves the following resolution:

The County Council urges the United States Congress to make major reductions in the
Pentagon budget, in a manner that does not harm the safety or lives of our troops, with
the savings invested in state and local needs so that Montgomery County and other
counties in Maryland can repair their deteriorating infrastructure, reverse budget cuts to
education, health care, and other needs, and otherwise improve the welfare of their
residents.

This resolution will be sent to the President of the United States, Maryland delegation to
the United States Congress, Governor of Maryland, and Montgomery County delegation
to the Maryland General Assembly

Full introduced version, see here

http://ourfunds.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/2011-10-04-county-council-reprioritization-introduced.pdf

Earlier draft version, see here

http://ourfunds.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/2011-09-23-county-council-draft-res.pdf
Volunteer!
Help us Ask Senator Kerry to Stand Up for US!

Senator Kerry will only use his Super Committee role to create jobs, defend social programs, restore fair taxation for the affluent, and stop the wars and cut the military budget, if the people of Massachusetts come together to demand it!

Peace Action and the new Fund Our Communities Not War network need volunteers to get the word out!

Can you help us?
Senator Kerry, Stand Up for Us!
This summer Congress created a Supercommittee that is supposed to cut $1,200 billion dollars from the U.S. government’s budget deficit over the next ten years.

If we don’t act, the Supercommittee may slash Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, aid to our states and cities, education funding, housing support, and money to repair roads and create an economy that doesn’t destroy the planet.

Senator Kerry is on the Supercommittee. Let’s make him represent US!

Send an online postcard to Senator Kerry! Fill in the space below and we will email your online postcard to Senator Kerry. We'll send a copy to Senator Brown and your Member of Congress also.

Use your own words, but try using some of these messages:
Please enter zipcode or address if requested, so we can look up your elected officials.
An Appeal to the Massachusetts congressional delegation
Ask your Member of Congress to tell Sen. Kerry: stand firm against cuts in Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid and insist on real solutions instead.

There are real solutions and they were proposed and documented in the Congressional Progressive Caucus’s People’s Budget last April:

1) Ending the Iraq and Afghanistan wars and cutting the outsized military budget by 25% would save more than the required $1.5 trillion.

2) Ending the Bush tax breaks on income over $250,000, as Obama promised to do when he ran for President, would bring in $700 billion. Taxing millionaires, billionaires, and capital gains and higher rates, as proposed recently by Warren Buffet, would help even more.

We can cut the deficit even more than the Supercommittee is supposed to – and not touch programs that we use. This is the message Kerry must hear from our Members of Congress.

Feel free to use your own wording in your message!
Super Committee: Listen up!

Left to right: The Co-Chairs of the "Super Committee," Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R-TX) and Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA).

The Co-chairs of the "Super Committee," Sen. Patty Murray of Washington and Rep. Jeb Hensarling of Texas, charged with coming up with the next round of Federal cuts, are getting to work.

The Super Committee, composed of members of both chambers and both parties, has been granted extraordinary new powers to cut over a $1 Trillion from federal spending over the next 10 years. It's unprecedented.

Sign our letter to the Co-chairs of the Super Committee: Cut Pentagon spending, not Medicare and Social Security!

Its time our government stopped ignoring what we want. Sign our letter to keep the Pentagon from eating away programs needed at home.
Action name

The Co-chairs of the "Super Committee" charged with coming up with the next round of Federal cuts, Sen. Patty Murray of Washington and Rep. Jeb Hensarling of Texas, the Democratic and Republican, are getting to work. They are picking their staff and preparing for the full committee of 12 to begin their deliberations on September 23.

The "Super Committee," composed of members of both chambers and both parties, has been granted extraordinary new powers to cut over a $1 Trillion from federal spending over the next 10 years. It's unprecedented.

Send a strong message to the co-chairs now: Save Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, cut the Pentagon budget.
What if it were up to you?
Debt and deficits have deeply divided our government. Congress and the President have been debating for months about how to address the country's fiscal issues, even playing a potentially disastrous game of "chicken" with the debt ceiling.

Tea Party compliant Republicans are taking this as an opportunity to cut desperately needed domestic programs that are keeping American families afloat in the economic crisis, such as Social Security and Medicare.

Meanwhile, Congress is increasing the Pentagon budget, already the largest recipient of federal funds – by $17 billion.

If it were up to you, would you increase funding for the Pentagon and cut Medicare and Social Security?

Its time our government stopped ignoring what we want. Sign our petition to keep the Pentagon from eating away programs needed at home.
Appeal to Senator John Kerry
Massachusetts needs jobs and real solutions. Sen. Kerry is a member of Congress’ “Super Committee”, charged with reducing the deficit by $1.2 trillion by November 23, 2011. Tell Senator Kerry he must stand up for ordinary people!
Sign the Contract and join the fight for The Dream
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke of "The Dream" at the March on Washington in 1963. Today, the children of immigrants are fighting for the Dream Act, the right to education. Others speak of the American Dream as the right to a decent life, job and home. Langston Hughes, the great poet, asked and described, "What happens to a dream deferred?"

No matter how you define it, a dream will never become reality unless we fight for it.

In July, over 25,000 people got together in living rooms and backyards to discuss what it will take to make the dream of a better life possible in these dire times. That's how the Contract was created; people identified 10 ways to deal with our economic nightmare out of 40 suggestions in over 1,500 gatherings.

Peace Action is working with our allies in labor and the economic and racial justice movements to organize grassroots coalition events in communities and bird-dogging of Congress people across the country.

Join us to fight for The Dream!

Download the full text of the Contract here.
Fund Our Communities Not War

Appeal to President Obama and the U.S. Congress

Fund Jobs, Education, Healthcare, Environment, and Communities!

Stop the Afghanistan & Iraq Wars! Reduce Military Spending 25%!

With the U.S. facing devastating economic and environmental crises, now is the moment to demand a shift in our country’s priorities. Military spending -- now more than $700 billion per year -- is bankrupting our country and draining the life blood of our communities.

Massachusetts Congressman Barney Frank, in calling for a 25% reduction in military spending, has put the issue clearly -- “If we are not able to get military spending under control……we will not be able to respond to important domestic needs.”
Speak Out Against the Budget Proposal
Tell your senators what you think about the budget proposal!
What if it were up to you?
Our country is at risk of defaulting on our loans for the very first time. Congress and the President are deep in negotiations to tackle the federal deficit.

Tea Party compliant Republicans are taking this as an opportunity to cut desperately needed domestic programs that are keeping American families afloat in the economic crisis, such as Social Security and Medicare.

Meanwhile, Congress is increasing the Pentagon budget, already the largest recipient of federal funds – by $17 billion.

If it were up to you, would you increase funding for the Pentagon and cut Medicare and Social Security?

Its time our government stopped ignoring what we want. Sign our petition to keep the Pentagon from eating away programs needed at home.
Hold President Obama to his Word!
In December 2009, President Obama announced that the U.S. would begin withdrawing troops from Afghanistan by July 2011.

We haven't forgotten, and neither should Congress. Let's hold the President to his word!

Contact your Representatives and urge them to cosponsor HR780: Responsible End to the War in Afghanistan Act. This important piece of legislation calls on the US to fully fund the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan.

In addition, Rep. Barbara Lee is circulating a letter to her fellow members of Congress calling on the President to keep his word: implement a "significant and sizable" withdrawal of US troops beginning in July. Urge your member to sign on by March 16th!
Support Raskin-Hixson Letter to Congress to Fund our Communities and Reduce Military Spending

Maryland State Senator Jamie Raskin and Delegate Sheila Hixson have recently sent a memo to their colleagues in the Maryland General Assembly asking them to sign a joint letter to our Federal Congressional delegation.

All tax revenue comes from a LOCAL source. The misallocation of funds at the federal level means that our state and local communities have fewer resources for human needs, key services, education and environmental protection. Senator Raskin and Delegate Hixson’s letter requests Congress to cut the Pentagon budget by at least 25% over the next five years and reallocate that money to domestic priorities, where it is needed. We are faced with huge and growing needs in Maryland and inadequate money to address them. Meanwhile, the Pentagon budget increases, year after year after year. It is time to redress that imbalance.

You can read the letter here.

Please let your members in the General Assembly know that you want them to sign this letter as well by clicking below to send them an e-mail.
Support Leventhal Letter to Congress to Fund our Communities and Reduce Military Spending
County Council member George Leventhal recently sent a memo to his colleagues on the Montgomery County Council asking them to sign a joint letter from Council members to our Federal Congressional delegation.

All tax revenue comes from a LOCAL source. The misallocation of funds at the federal level means that counties have fewer resources for local needs.
Council member Leventhal's letter requests Congress to cut the Pentagon budget by at least 25% over the next five years and reallocate that money to domestic priorities, where it is needed. We are faced with huge and growing needs in Montgomery County and inadequate money to address them. Meanwhile, the Pentagon budget increases, year after year after year. It is time to redress that balance.

You can read the letter here LINK

Please let the members of the County Council know that you want them to sign this letter by clicking below to send them an e-mail.
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Tell the County Council:

Why should one of the country's wealthiest companies get a .5 million dollar giveaway?

Montgomery County needs every penny. No new tax breaks for Lockheed Martin.
Support Our Workers: Oppose Council Bill 57-10

Please support our Montgomery County firefighters, police officers and workers by telling the Montgomery County Council to oppose Council Bill 57-10. If passed, this bill would severely diminish the collective bargaining rights of county workers. Then share this action link: http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/161/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=5350#

Please also consider attending the upcoming hearing on this important bill on Tuesday, December 14th at 11:00 AM in the Montgomery County Council Building located at 100 Maryland Ave., Rockville, MD.
Letter to Representative Boehner
Please sign this letter to Representative John Boehner to encourage him to reduce the military budget and fund communities at home.
Keep Our Troops Safe By Bringing Them Home, Join the Out of Afghanistan Caucus
The war in Afghanistan has become the longest war in U.S. history. It's time for our troops to come home. Urge your Representative to join the Out of Afghanistan caucus today!
Take a Stand Against Wasteful Pentagon Spending
Tell Your Representative to Take a Stand Against Wasteful Pentagon Spending

Its time for our elected officials to apply the same scrutiny to the Pentagon now being applied to Wall Street and the banking industry.

Let’s face it, there’s plenty of room in the massive Pentagon budget for savings as the Sustainable Defense Task Force report has demonstrated. From Cold War weapons systems to security guarantees offered nations well able to defend themselves, wasteful military spending comes at the expense of higher priority items like education, health care and job creation.

Tell your Representative to sign on to Frank/Paul letter supporting the Sustainable Defense Task Force report.
Urgent Alert on New START Treaty
Thank you for your help in bringing the New START Treaty to the Senate Floor. To insure its ratification, use the letter below to urge your Senators to vote in favor of ratification. Senators need to hear from you that during the limited legislative time they have left this year, this treaty must be finished.
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Tell the County Council:

Why should one of the country's wealthiest companies get a .5 million dollar giveaway?

Montgomery County needs every penny. No new tax breaks for Lockheed Martin.
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Ask your Senators to support New START

Hearings on New START, a treaty between the United States and Russia, are currently underway, and it is critical that Senators hear from their constituents, expressing strong support for its ratification. New START is expected to come up for ratification before the Senate's August recess.

The treaty is a critical, if modest, step towards the goal of nuclear disarmament. Unfortunately, the timing of the vote has made it an easy target for political opportunism. With the vote coming up right before the elections, many on the Right would deny President Obama the ratification of New START for their own political gain.

Peace Action would urge you to contact your Senators this week and ask them to do all that they can to support the New START treaty possible. Please take action below to move one step closer to a nuclear-free world.
Broome County Cost of War Awareness Campaign
Broome County Peace Action and the Broome County Cost of War Awareness Project needs your help to support Mayor Ryan and the Cost of War Sign hung on City Hall. Please sign below, and check the box to receive event invites and action alerts from Broome County Peace Action.
Urge President Obama to advocate for a Nuclear-Free Middle East
News of three Israeli submarines, armed with nuclear-tipped cruise missiles and positioned off the coast of Iran in the Persian Gulf, is most disturbing. President Obama must be told by those of us who know our history that this looming disaster cannot be allowed to occur. I'm not talking about telling Israel that's our bottom line and leaving it at that, but rather taking immediate action to resolve the crisis with Iran over its alleged nuclear ambitions. Frankly, after a good start, a new beginning and high hopes for success, the President has bungled the job. Sanctions and threats are the stuff of failed diplomacy. The administration's rejection of the deal brokered by Brazil and Turkey, followed by the revelation the President had sent a letter to Brazilian President Lula da Silva endorsing the deal is fodder for the Daily Show, except it's very serious.

Tell President Obama he must make clear to Israel no military action against Iran is acceptable. The President needs to know a proxy war is not an option. Israel needs to know the US pursuit of a non-military solution is a priority for the administration and our 'special relationship' is at stake.

Peace Action has been a consistent advocate for restarting negotiations for a Mideast Nuclear Weapons and Weapons of Mass Destruction-Free Zone, which was one of the action items that made the final report from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Review Conference last month. The US reluctantly signed off on the report, so it will need to a good push to play a meaningful role in restarting negotiations.

Help us pressure President Obama to do these things by taking action below.
Urge President Obama to advocate for a Nuclear-Free Middle East
News of three Israeli submarines, armed with nuclear-tipped cruise missiles and positioned off the coast of Iran in the Persian Gulf, is most disturbing. President Obama must be told by those of us who know our history that this looming disaster cannot be allowed to occur. I'm not talking about telling Israel that's our bottom line and leaving it at that, but rather taking immediate action to resolve the crisis with Iran over its alleged nuclear ambitions. Frankly, after a good start, a new beginning and high hopes for success, the President has bungled the job. Sanctions and threats are the stuff of failed diplomacy. The administration's rejection of the deal brokered by Brazil and Turkey, followed by the revelation the President had sent a letter to Brazilian President Lula da Silva endorsing the deal is fodder for the Daily Show, except it's very serious.

Tell President Obama he must make clear to Israel no military action against Iran is acceptable. The President needs to know a proxy war is not an option. Israel needs to know the US pursuit of a non-military solution is a priority for the administration and our 'special relationship' is at stake.

Peace Action has been a consistent advocate for restarting negotiations for a Mideast Nuclear Weapons and Weapons of Mass Destruction-Free Zone, which was one of the action items that made the final report from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Review Conference last month. The US reluctantly signed off on the report, so it will need to a good push to play a meaningful role in restarting negotiations.

Help us pressure President Obama to do these things by taking action below.
Urge your Senators to take action on the New START Treaty
Hearings on START, a treaty between the United States and Russia, are currently underway, and it is critical that Senators hear from their constituents, expressing strong support for its ratification. is expected to come up for ratification before the Senate's August recess. The new treaty limits the U.S. and Russia to no more than 1,550 deployed strategic warheads and 800 deployed and non-deployed delivery vehicles. The treaty has broad based support from diplomats and high-ranking officials from past administrations. Former Secretaries of State Henry Kissinger and James Baker as well as Secretary of State Clinton have all endorsed New START at hearings held by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Even Robert Gates, Secretary of Defense is in support of the treaty stating that it “The New START Treaty has the unanimous support of America's military leadership.” http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703339304575240164048611360.html

The treaty is a modest but critical step towards the goal of nuclear weapons, and despite the broad support it has, there will be strong opposition from Republicans seeking to deny President Obama and Democrats another legislative victory.
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Call your Member of Congress and ask for no future war funding and to co-sponsor HR 5015

On June 22nd, Rolling Stone published a candid interview with General Stanley McChrystal and members of his staff. "The Runaway General" is valuable because it gives an unfiltered look at how the men who led the war in Afghanistan truly feel. Nine years ago our government sold the American people snake oil to get us into Afghanistan, and they did it again with Iraq. Check out the video on the right from Brave New Films with quotes from the article and then take action below.

As President Obama commits more and more troops and resources to this war, the tide of public support for the war is starting to turn. That's why Peace Action members have been ringing the phones in Congress like mad. Now that the war supplemental vote is expected to happen this week, it's critical that we press even harder. Plus, we've been building lots of momentum on H.R. 5015 which will "require the President to develop a flexible timetable to draw down U.S. troops from Afghanistan." H.R. 5015: Redeployment of U.S. Troops from Afghanistan, and it's sister bill in the Senate, S. 3197. Thanks to callers like you, we've gathered almost one-hundred co-sponsors on the legislation.

To help end this war with no exit strategy, please contact your Members of Congress and ask them to vote against all future war funding, and to co-sponsor HR 5015. You can find their numbers with a call-script after entering your address information, or you may look the numbers up at this link.

When you are finished making your call, please report back on our blog here.
Make three one-minute phone calls to help end the war in Afghanistan

Most of Peace Action's supporters know it's past time to end the war in Afghanistan. As President Obama commits more and more troops and resources to this war, our fellow Americans are realizing this too. That's why Peace Action recently helped three Members of Congress to draft new legislation to bring an end to the war.

Senator Russ Fiengold, Representative Jim McGovern, and Representative Walter Jones have bravely brought this legislation to the floor. It will "require the President to develop a flexible timetable to draw down U.S. troops from Afghanistan." H.R. 5015: Redeployment of U.S. Troops from Afghanistan, and it's sister bill in the Senate, S. 3197, are critical first steps for the U.S. withdrawal effort.

In our efforts to support an end to the war in Afghanistan, Peace Action helped to lead efforts successfully coordinating a national call-in week in support of this legislation. It is important that we support our allies in this struggle and lift our voices in unison with them.

Call the Congressional Hotline at (202) 224-3121 between 9–5 PM Eastern. Alternatively, you may look up the phone numbers of your Members of Congress at the bottom in order to leave a message. Use our calling script below and tell your Members of Congress and ask them to support S. 3197, to support H. R. 5015, and to stop funding this war!

Call Script

Call the Congressional Hotline at (202) 224-3121 to reach your Senators or Representative.

Remember to be polite, respectful and clear. Also, don’t forget to use the bill number. The Senate bill number is S. 3197. The House bill number is H. R. 5015.

Introduce yourself to whomever answers the phone. Let them know you are a constituent and a member of Peace Action. Mention what town or city you live in as well.

If you can, try to get a staff person who knows the Senator's position on Afghanistan on the phone. For instance, try asking for the Foreign Policy aide.

Say that you've been very concerned about the direction which the war in Afghanistan has gone and that you want your Senator/Representative to support the Afghanistan Withdrawal Timeline legislation (S. 3197 or H.R. 5015). In addition, tell the staffer that you would like your Senator/Representative to vote against all future funding for the war in Afghanistan.

Be firm and let the aide know how you would like your Senator/Representative to support the resolution. Tell the aide that you would like your Senator/Representative to co-sponsor and support the bill (S. 3197 or H. R. 5015) as well as to vote against future war funding.

Example Script for Your Calls

"Hello, my name is __________. I'm a constituent and a member of Peace Action. I'm calling from __________ (city or town).

Could I speak to your staff person who handles Afghanistan?

(If no, leave a message urging the Senator to support and co-sponsor the bill _______ (S. 3197 or H. R. 5015) introduced by ______ (Senator Fiengold or Representatives McGovern and Jones) and to vote against all future war funding.)

I'm very concerned about our present strategy in Afghanistan and would like the Senator to support McGovern and Jones' resolution S. 3197. This bill would set a timetable for withdrawal from Afghanistan. Furthermore, I would like the Senator/Representative to vote "no" on all future funding requests for the war in Afghanistan.

Can you please get back to me when you’ve found out what the Senator/Representative plans to do in support of this bill?"
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Seven Years Too Many

Take Action to End the Occupation of Iraq

It is has been more than seven years since the U.S. forces started invaded and occupied Iraq, and more than 19 years since the war with Iraq started. The occupation has been a failure, and it has caused the death of thousands of Americans and injury of tens of thousands more. In addition, one million Iraqis have been killed, and another five million displaced.

President Obama has promised to end this occupation.

The Obama plan has two guiding timelines: Obama’s own plan to remove all combat forces between April and the end of August of this year to bring the total number of U.S. troops to less than 50,000 and U.S. contractors to less than 75,000. Then the bi-lateral agreement with Iraq requiring all troops and contractors to be out by the end of 2011, and all U.S. bases to be shut down. The graph above demonstrates the troop levels in the last few years and the projections of the U.S. troop withdrawal till the end of next year.

There seems to be some pressure from the U.S. war machine to postpone or cancel the Combat Forces withdrawal from Iraq, or to link this withdrawal to political and security conditions on the ground. If the Obama administration falls into the slippery slope of adopting a conditions-based withdrawal, that will take us back to square one.

The U.S. occupation has never been a part of the solution in Iraq, and it will never be. Prolonging the occupation will not solve what the occupation has damaged, and will lead to more death and destruction.

Take Action Now!

Enter your zip code to contact Congress, Senate and the White House and ask them to stick to the withdrawal plan
Thank your Senator
SB 778, a measure to prohibit the automatic release of test results to military recruiters from students taking the ASVAB in Maryland’s public schools, passed the Maryland Senate 24-23 on March 24^th. This is an opportunity for you to thank your Senator for his or her vote.

The Senators voting in favor of this legislation were: Brochin, Conway, Della, Exum, Forehand, Frosh, Gladden, Harrington, Jones, Kasemeyer, Kelley, Lenett, Madaleno, McFadden, Middleton, Muse, Peters, Pinsky, Pugh, Raskin, Robey, Rosapepe, Stone, Zirkin. If you do not know your Senator, check to see if he or she is on the list by entering your address below.
Honor the Anniversary of the Iraq Invasion
March 19th was the anniversary of the invasion of Iraq. Peace Action members and activists around the world will be protesting in solidarity with the Iraqi people this weekend. But to be effective, we must also follow up our actions with a unified message. Our message to the Obama administration is simple: we must have all US troops and bases out of Iraq by the end of 2011. Please ask your Representative to take firm action by filling out the form below.
Help Kucinich Use War Powers Act to Force Afghanistan Debate

Last week, Representative Kucinich introduced a privileged resolution invoking the War Powers Act to force the President to withdraw U.S. troops from Afghanistan this year. Congress will now be forced to debate the issue of the open-ended U.S. war and occupation in Afghanistan.

Call your Representative and ask him or her to support Representative Kucinich's resolution H. Con Res. 248. Please use the call-tips and call-script below to assist you in making your call.

When you're done with your call, report back here. Then tell your friends by clicking here.
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Contact your Maryland Senators and Delegates below
Take a Minute to Call and E-mail President Obama
In the next two weeks, as he finalizes the Nuclear Posture Review (NPR), President Obama will decide the administration's direction and priorities on nuclear weapons issues, and perhaps the fate of the world.

It is important that you ask the President to make the right decision by calling on him to fulfill this promise he made in Prague:

“I state clearly and with conviction America’s commitment to seek the peace and security of a world without nuclear weapons.”

Take a few minutes to call the White House about this critical issue. Use our sample e-mail as a call script, customize and then send it to follow-up with your call most effectively.
Support Progressive Working Group's Agenda

Please ask your local representatives to support campaign finance reform, greater transparency/open access in Annapolis and progressive measures to deal with the state budget crisis. Find more information on the sidebar to the right.

Enter your postal code below to send a message to your local Maryland Delegates. For a greater impact, call your representatives and use the e-mail text as a call script. Information on the legislation is below.
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Ask your representatives to support student privacy
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The resolution, introduced by Representatives Jim Mcgovern (MA-D) and Dan Lungren (CA-R) supports US and Russian negotiations for the mutual reduction of nuclear stockpiles. If passed, the savings from the reductions in nuclear weapons will be invested in programs that secure and dismantle nuclear materials in former soviet nations, and increase funding in food and educational programs for children in the world’s most needy countries.
Co-Sponsor H Res 278

The resolution, introduced by Representatives Jim Mcgovern (MA-D) and Dan Lungren (CA-R) supports US and Russian negotiations for the mutual reduction of nuclear stockpiles. If passed, the savings from the reductions in nuclear weapons will be invested in programs that secure and dismantle nuclear materials in former soviet nations, and increase funding in food and educational programs for children in the world’s most needy countries.
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Use this handy tool to look up your Representative's phone number and his or her position on Afghanistan. After you've called, send a followup e-mail to them using the box below.
Keep Our Troops Safe By Keeping Them Home, Support HR 3699
Obama is readying to announce his plan for Afghanistan. We still have time to pressure him to make the right choice and to support a House Resolution that could stop escalation even after its ordered. Help us stop endless war by calling your Representative and telling them to co-sponsor HR 3699 now.
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Sign Our Petition to End the War in Afghanistan

Peace Action is leading a campaign to deescalate and ultimately end the war in Afghanistan.

In eight years of war in Afghanistan the United States spent a total of $228.2 billion. As more troops are sent, the predictable result is an increase in US and Afghan fatalities. 2009 has been the deadliest year for both Afghans and American soldiers with 183 US troop deaths, already higher then 2008 the next highest year for US fatalities. The humanitarian crisis for Afghans has also worsened. In the first half of 2009 there were 1,013 civilian deaths, a third of which were caused by coalition forces, mostly the result of air strikes.

The United Nations, U.S. and British generals, peace groups, and members of Congress agree:

“The war in Afghanistan cannot be won militarily and success is only possible through political means including dialogue between all relevant parties.”

Sign the petition below and add your name to the growing list of people who support alternatives to military intervention in Afghanistan.
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Take Action for A Nuclear Free World!

On April 5th President Obama declared that the US "has a moral responsibility to act" to create a world free of nuclear weapons. We have a great opportunity now to hold him to this pledge and push for nuclear disarmament and abolition to become reality.

Take action today to raise the call for a world free of nuclear weapons by sending a message to President Obama and Congress urging them to support nuclear abolition.
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In eight years, Pentagon spending has more than doubled to over $700 billion. We’ve spent nearly $1 trillion on war, wasted $60 billion every year on obsolete Cold War weapons, and maintained over 700 military bases around the world. Excessive Pentagon spending and continued wars hurt our economy AND international relations, WHILE not making us any safer.
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Incidents at Sea Agreement

President Obama has made productive political overtures toward Iran. His historic Norooz message laid the ground work for real diplomacy to move our two countries forward in peace.

Peace Action and our friends at the National Iran-American Council are proud to support bipartisan legislation calling for an "Incidents at Sea" agreement with Iran introduced by Reps. John Conyers (D-MI) and Geoff Davis (R-KY).

Join our effort to support this legislation by sending the letter below to your Congressperson.

Please add your personal thoughts and experiences to the letter below. Letters that have your own voice and any local anecdotes are more effective.
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A Better Plan: Winning the Peace in Afghanistan

Since 2001, The United States spent a total of $228.2 billion on the war in
Afghanistan. And this year the cost of the war is already $60.2 billion, exceeding the
financial cost of the Iraq war in 2009.

And as more troops are sent to Afghanistan, the predictable result is more US and
Afghan fatalities. 2009 has been the deadliest year for both Afghans and American soldiers with 183 US troops deaths, already higher then 2008 the next highest year for US fatalities. And the humanitarian crisis for Afghans has also worsened. In the first half of 2009 there were 1,013 civilian deaths, a third of which were caused by coalition forces, mostly the result of air strikes.

We have a better plan: focus on diplomatic cooperation and humanitarian aid, mitigate civilian causalities by scaling back military force.

The United Nations, U.S. and British generals, peace groups, and 19 members of Congress agree:

“The war in Afghanistan cannot be won militarily and success is only possible through political means including dialogue between all relevant parties.”

Sign the petition below and add your name to the growing list of people who believe there is a better plan.
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Primary links

Current Actions

Stop the Backdoor to War with Iran

Wouldn't you like to know?

Do you think it's important to hear testomonies from Iraq and Afghan veterans?

We won't wait for the bombs to drop to make our voices heard. Tell President Obama that another war isn't what this country needs! More information

We won't wait for the bombs to drop to make our voices heard. Tell President Obama that another war isn't what this country needs!

Send the Senate some Sense

Next week, the Senate will vote on amendments to end the wars and cut Pentagon spending. Send them some sense! End the wars and move the money!

Send the Senate some Sense

Next week, the Senate will vote on amendments to end the wars and cut Pentagon spending. Send them some sense! End the wars and move the money!

Sign our letter to the Co-chairs of the Super Committee: Cut Pentagon spending, not Medicare and Social Security!

Send a strong message to the co-chairs now: Save Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, cut the Pentagon budget.

If it were up to you, would you increase funding for the Pentagon and cut Medicare and Social Security?

No matter how you define it, a dream will never become reality unless we fight for it.

Join us to fight for The Dream!

If it were up to you, would you increase funding for the Pentagon and cut Medicare and Social Security?

Ask your Senators to support New START

Seven Years Too Many

Take Action to End the Occupation of Iraq

Take Action Now!

Take Action for A Nuclear Free World!

Primary links

Primary links