MILITARY
SPENDING ROBS PEOPLE IN NEED OF BASIC HUMAN RESOURCES
BY Sr. Brenda Walsh, Racine Dominican
Today, many are
questioning the amount of money our US government is spending
on wars and other military engagements and homeland security.
This is happening at a time when more people are experiencing
poverty and are in great need. Even though the war in
Afghanistan is winding down , our nation is still spending
almost as much on war as we spent at the height of the war in
Vietnam.
The Senate
Appropriations Committee Chairperson said the” House
Appropriations Committee approved the 2014 budget increase by
more than 5 percent, as compared to 2013 funding after the cuts
of sequestration.” The funding increase in military spending
would be offset by cuts in domestic spending. This would greatly
affect areas such as Labor, Health and Human Services and
Education programs, which would see cuts of 18 percent in some
areas of vital social services and education. It is a concern
for all of us when budget cuts are required that will affect
each of us and our communities and nation. Building a more just
and sustainable economy is a moral issue that requires our
attention and response. We have to believe that another world is
possible. War is never the answer and calls for our prayers,
analysis, and tools for taking action for the common good.
We know that
with God’s power always available to us, there is no stone that
cannot be rolled away and allow ways to create a loving and just
and peaceful community for all people. Our faith can help us to
look at our communities and world with clear vision and help
create the kind of world God has in mind for all. When we look
out the window and see the green shoots coming through the
frozen ground, we know new life is very possible. It is time for
a wakeup call to all of us. We rely too much on weapons of war
which only generate more violence and never lead to peace. We
cannot rely on war for our economic wellbeing. The money spent
on war could be used to help people in poverty and to create
healthy communities which lead to wellbeing, hope and peace.
This is a time
when we not only are close to economic bankruptcy, but also to
moral and spiritual bankruptcy. If we continue on the same path.
it will only end in more violence. It is time to use our energy
and resources to work for peace, justice and human dignity. We
are all called to be truth-seekers and truth proclaimers, to
call on our leaders to end the wars and divert our resources
toward life- giving causes. School, hospital and human resources
for all are badly needed to bring life, not death, to all
people. Martin Luther King’s words often reminds us that every
dollar spent on war, is stolen from the people who need it more,
while trying to get basic necessities of life for themselves and
their children. May we see the urgency to bring about change in
these areas of need.
We hear God’s
call and unfailing presence and realize that there is no slavery
or darkness that cannot be overcome or that has the last word.
Remind people, especially our legislators, that war is not the
answer. It only leaves a legacy of violence and destruction of
human life to future generations. We want to leave a legacy of
hope and harmony to our broken and bleeding world. There are
many signs of hope where people are going into dangerous places
to help those who are in great danger, delivering food and other
resources to them. To accomplish our goals our government
needs to cut our military budget down to size and reorder our
priorities to match God’s plan for all people.
As Dominic’s
followers, we need to follow his example and way of life by
going into dark and dreary places, holding high the Torch of
Truth and bringing the light of God to all people and mirror
God’s mercy and love wherever we are. May we live as people of
the Promise and share in Dominic’s daring dream. Let us begin
today with courage, conviction and hope. With God’s unfailing
help, thus mission can be accomplished.
Preaching
is at the heart of the Dominican vocation. The Dominican Leadership Conference
claims for all members of the Dominican Family the right to preach, and commits
itself to the struggle this claim entails. The injustices of our day compel us
to place the charism of preaching at the service of the poor and powerless. The
Dominican prophetic message, rooted in experience, study and prayer, will move
both preachers and hearers of the word to act for the transformation of
oppressive structures. The Conference on its part will act corporately,
confronting evil with the Gospel and working for the construction of a just
world order.
