The average US taxpayer sent $58 to fund antiwar diplomacy efforts versus $5,109 for militarism and its support systems.
By Lindsay Koshgarian, TRUTHOUT
Every year at tax time, the National Priorities Project at the Institute for Policy Studies releases a tax receipt to show where your federal income tax dollars go.
Every year, militarism in all its forms is one of the biggest expenses on the receipt. From war and weapons, to deportations and detentions, to prisons and policing, budgeting choices made in Congress mean that every U.S. taxpayer will contribute to these systems of violence and oppression. By comparison, almost every constructive government program — from public health and environmental protection to education and disaster management — is woefully underfunded.
For 2023, the average taxpayer will have contributed $5,109 to militarism and its support systems, including war and the military, homeland security, federal law enforcement and veterans’ programs. The biggest portion of that tax bill is for the Pentagon itself at $2,974. More than half of that, $1,748, goes to corporate contractors that benefit from U.S. militarism. That’s more than the average monthly rent in the United States.
Recent Posts
A Whistleblower’s Return To The World.
May 15, 2024
Take Action Now This was to be my first trip abroad in a very long time, certainly the first time since being released from prison. By Jeffrey…
Only Our Enemies Commit War Crimes
May 15, 2024
Take Action Now A half-baked report highlights the double standard US officials use for Israel By Connor Echols, Responsible Statecraft On NBC’s…
NATO Spreads Nuclear Weapons, Energy, And Risk
May 15, 2024
Take Action Now NATO calls itself a “nuclear alliance” and maintains a “Nuclear Planning Group” for all of its members — those with and those…
Nuclear Weapons at Any Price? Congress Should Say No
May 14, 2024
Take Action Now Costs are skyrocketing to modernize the U.S. nuclear arsenal. Instead of turning a blind eye, Congress should demand fiscal…