INDEPENDENCE FROM WAR TAX DAY—BEGIN TO CONVERT WAR TAX TO PEACE TAX

Cross of war complicity--from Port Huron Post Office demonstration 4-15-06

 Once we’ve fully rendered to God, what is left for Caesar’s wars?

As we march onward towards war in Syria--
On July 4^th we lament our country’s increasing dependency on wars without end—a war economy with 50% of our federal tax for war, while 26% of Port Huron is poor.  Therefore a few of us from interfaith backgrounds begin to examine how our federal tax monies perpetuate war.

We will meet July 3^rd, 11 am, in the space between the St. Clair County Courthouse and the Library, to conduct a short public vigil, advocating work and prayer to turn our IRS dollars from war tax to peace tax.  We will burn some of our W-4, 1099, 1040 forms as a symbol of our converting part of federal war dollars into peace investment.

The first step is a spiritual and material change of heart—those who can afford, trying to make less money [in this way liable for less war tax], dedicating more of the time gained to family, Christian works of mercy, working for justice and the common good.

Each of us needs to reflect on how we dedicate our time and money.  For many of us $1000’s of our IRS dollars go towards war every year.

To pay still less for war, change your IRS W-4 and 1099 forms in such a way as to withhold some of the potential war tax money due, and re-direct it to peace, and to serve community needs.  For more information on the details and consequences of this step towards civil disobedience, more closely following our almighty all-merciful God, please contact the National War Tax Resistance Coordinating Committee [nwtrcc.org, 800 269 7464].

Check your W-4 on July 4^th, to convert War Tax to Peace Tax on April 15^th.

WE PRAY FOR PEACE, WHY PAY FOR WAR?

Noncooperation with evil is as much a duty as cooperation with the good.  – Dr. Martin Luther King

From a previous "Iraq Peace Bonds" campaign in 2007--IRS dollars re-directed to our public library

To some, peace merely means the liberty to take advantage of other people without fear of retaliation or interference. ... And to practically everybody peace simple means the absence of any physical violence that might cast a shadow over lives devoted to the satisfaction of their selfish appetites for comfort and pleasure.  ... So instead of loving what you think is peace, love other people and love God above all.    -- Thomas Merton, from p. 122 of New Seeds of Contemplation