Please join us on Saturday, December 1, 2012 to stand in support of the Massachusetts Budget For All that calls for ‘Stop the Cuts, Invest in Jobs, Tax the 1%, End the Wars, and Cut the Military Budget. We will also speak out to protest widespread use of Drones by the US. Come to the corner of West and Main Street, across from Walpole Cooperative Bank, from 10 to 11 AM.
We need to remind our representatives that voters in all 91 cities and towns in Massachusetts spoke out clearly for the Budget for All. See the press release below.
You might also be interested in attending a talk on Drones in Natick on Monday, December 3, 2012.
STOP THE DRONES
Report Back from Members of the October CodePink Anti-Drone Peace Delegation to Pakistan
Presenters:
Lois Mastrangelo, member of United for Justice with Peace and CodePink of Greater Boston
Paki Wieland, an arrested Hancock AFB drone resister who engages in peacekeeping & nonviolent training and education.
Monday, December 3, 2012
7:00 p.m. -9:00 p.m.
Morse Institute Library
14 E. Central St. (Rt. 135) Natick
Sponsored by Pax Christi Metrowest and Metrowest Peace Action
Press Release on Budget For All Referendum:
Walpole Voters Urge Tax Fairness and Military Cuts
to Avoid “Fiscal Cliff” and Protect Vital Programs
Walpole voters in precincts 1, 2, 6, and 7 sent a clear message to Washington on November 6, 2012 by voting 2 to 1 on the Budget for All ballot question, stating that they do not want Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and other essential social programs to be cut. Besides voicing opposition to cuts in essential services, the ballot question also called for investment in useful jobs, an end to Bush tax cuts on high incomes and to corporate tax loopholes, and redirection of military spending to vital social programs. The Budget for All question was on the ballot for the Massachusetts12th Norfolk Representative district covering part of Walpole and all of Norwood and also on the ballot in 89 other Massachusetts cities and towns. The measure passed in every city or town where it was on the ballot, garnering a total vote of 661,033 in favor to 222,514.
This vote is particularly important as Congress and the President engage in negotiations for a solution to the so called “fiscal cliff.” It has been reported that compromises being discussed would still cut Social Security, Medicare, etc while only making token tax increases on those who can afford it. It would be unfair to cut these programs while not addressing the real causes of the budget deficit like spiraling health costs, inequitable taxes, and a military budget out of proportion to what we need or can afford. The collapse of the economy was caused by the recklessness of Wall Street and the mortgage industry and not by Social Security and Medicare. The proposed 2013 military budget is 57% of all discretionary spending and dwarfs spending for critical programs like transportation, veterans affairs, education, and housing. Social Security shortfalls could be addressed by raising the maximum taxable income. Many programs, like SNAP and unemployment benefits will automatically decrease when the economy picks up. It would be counterproductive to cut the services and programs that are critical to so many people and which will help stimulate the economy.
The Walpole Peace and Justice Group was one of 80 community, peace, labor, and faith groups that supported the ballot question. It was also supported by State Treasurer Steve Grossman, State Auditor Suzanne Bump, and Representatives Barney Frank, Mike Capuano, Jim McGovern and Ed Markey, along with 10 State Senators and 18 State Representatives. As the budget debate proceeds in Washington, this is an important time for all voters to contact the President and their Senators and Representatives, on both the state and federal levels, to express support for the Budget for All
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