Tax season 2008 has arrived. January brings W-2s, 1099s and
1040s to our doorsteps, so if you haven't registered for the
2008 War Tax Boycott, now is the time! About 250 people have
signed on so far, but we know there are many more resisters
out there-we have more subscribers to this newsletter than that!
Your public resistance inspires others to join, and helps us
plan for publicity for a public redirection to display how serious
we are about changing national priorities. It only takes a few
moments. Just go to wartaxboycott.org.
[Return to List of Headlines]
By Dave Gross
If we craft our message well, we can motivate antiwar activists
to become war tax resisters.
As in sports, there's an offensive game and a defensive game.
Offense is knowing what message you want to get out, crafting
it well, and deploying it effectively. Defense is anticipating
questions, understanding the real concerns behind them, having
good answers ready, and not getting thrown off-message.
To craft a motivating message, consider three categories of
motivations: needs, fears, and values.
To motivate somebody to do something, show them how it will
meet their needs, protect them from something they fear, and
be consistent with their values.
When the government tries to motivate taxpayers, they rely
on fears and values. Fears of IRS enforcement action, criminal
penalties, financial troubles, and so forth are important. But
values are even more important.
The IRS once asked taxpayers what factors were important to
them when deciding whether to pay their taxes. 35% said that
fear of an audit was very important, 26% said somewhat, 35%
said not very or not at all. How important was "personal integrity?"
76% said it was very important, another 15% said somewhat, and
only 7% said it was not very or not at all important.
Taxpayers pay because they identify taxpaying with honesty,
fairness, good citizenship, and their values as a whole.
We offer another path to integrity. The more we speak about
how our values motivate us to become tax resisters, the easier
it is for people who share our values to imagine themselves
resisting.
But fear is also important. In 2006-2007, NWTRCC surveyed
1,100 anti-war activists who had never done tax resistance before.
The #1 reason they gave for why they hadn't: "Fear legal consequences."
Asked what they thought were the two most likely consequences
of war tax resistance, 31.6% included jail time! Asked what
they needed most before they would consider resisting, the #1
answer: "Clear idea of likely consequences."
People imagine the consequences of tax resistance to be much
more frightening than they really are. We need to dispel this,
not by saying "tax resistance is perfectly safe" but this:
- there are many methods, with different levels and types
of risk;
- you can learn the risks in advance and take steps to mitigate
them;
- if you take these steps the risks are much smaller than
you might expect;
- hardly anyone goes to jail for war tax resistance.
We can also appeal to needs. How many times have you heard
activists say they're tired of rallies - they want to do something
that has a real effect? Tax resistance meets that need.
Be Prepared
On defense, some questions come up frequently when tax resistance
is discussed. These also concern needs, fears, and values:
Is war tax resistance effective? (Needs)
For instance:
- Won't the government end up with more after adding interest
and penalties?
- Can one person's refusal affect the vast military budget?
Is war tax resistance safe? (Fears)
For instance:
- Won't they lock me up or take my home if I refuse taxes?
- If activists resist taxes, won't the government use this
to crack down on dissent?
Is war tax resistance ethical? (Values)
For instance:
- Don't we all need to pay our fair share?
- Is it fair for me to decide where a democracy spends my
taxes?
When answering, consider addressing both the specific question
or concern and the whole category it represents. For instance,
answer a specific question about the ethics of tax resistance,
and then add something about how your values led you to become
a tax resister.
You can meet a question honestly in many ways. Sometimes,
a direct answer is best. Other times, it's better to put the
question into a larger context or to address the assumptions
behind the question. It can pay to practice meeting common questions
in multiple ways.
With some questions the best policy is to change the subject.
If you're about to begin an answer that looks likely to end
with a defense of some particular political philosophy, what
Jesus really meant, or the truth about 9/11 - take a deep breath
and start over.
For example: Someone asks "do you think everybody should be
able to decide what their tax money can be spent on?"
I could answer, "Yes: As a free-market anarchist, I think
a society in which people make their own decisions about how
to spend their money would be a big improvement," and pretty
soon I'm talking about anarchism and not tax resistance, and
maybe giving the impression that tax resistance is only for
anarchists like me.
But I could answer, "Maybe so and maybe not, but the war tax
resisters I know spend their money more fairly and wisely than
Congress does. If war tax resisters were budgeting more money
and Congress less, we'd all breathe easier. By taking responsibility
for how my money is spent, I make sure Congress doesn't spend
it irresponsibly."
Comparisons can put things into context:
- "Protesters are willing to be arrested doing sit-ins and
blockades, and risk jail time and fines. Why are the much
smaller risks of tax resistance so scary?"
- "People will pay 20% interest on their credit cards to
pay for Christmas presents. I think I can risk a few percentage
points of interest and penalties to fight for what I think
is right."
- "We want Congress to take political risks by cutting off
funding for the occupation. I'm willing to take risks as well."
When you play defense, look for opportunities to get back
on offense - especially when you're trying to get your message
out through the news media. Take charge - put your message front-and-center.
Help meet the reporter's needs with pithy, well-practiced sound
bites. If it's a telephone interview, write some key phrases
down ahead of time so you can be ready when the right moment
comes.
War tax resistance is what frustrated antiwar activists need
- they just don't know it yet. If we can get our message across,
the war tax resistance movement will grow and the antiwar movement
will become more effective.
Dave Gross lives in San Francisco and is active with Northern
California War Tax Resistance. He also writes a regular blog
on war tax resistance and related issues at sniggle.net/Experiment.
We convert, if we do at all, not by demanding the impossible,
but by presenting the irresistible.
--May Sarton (Poet, 1912-1995)
[Return to List of Headlines]
Taxable Income Levels
NWTRCC offers the standard deductions/personal exemption chart
as a guide for people who choose to live below the taxable income.
IRS standard deduction and exemption amounts are adjusted annually
for cost-of-living increases.
To figure out how much you can earn in 2008 before owing income
taxes, identify your category and multiply the personal exemption
by the number of dependents you can claim, including yourself,
then add your standard deduction. For example, if you are married
and filing jointly, with two children, you would add $14,000
($3,500 x 4) to $10,900, equaling a taxable level of $24,900.
Below this amount your family would owe no income taxes for
the year. This calculation also gives the amount of income the
IRS needs to leave you to live on during the year if they are
garnishing your wages. This formula does not apply to Social
Security taxes.
2008 IRS Deductions and Exemptions
| Category |
Standard |
Personal |
| |
Deduction |
Exemption |
| Single |
$5,450 |
$3,500 |
| Married, filing jointly |
$10,900 |
$3,500 |
| Married, filing separately |
$5,450 |
$3,500 |
| Head of household |
$8,000 |
$3,500 |
An additional $1,050 standard deduction may be claimed by
a married taxpayer who is at least 65 years old or blind. If
the taxpayer is single, the additional standard deduction amount
is $1,300.
The 1040 instruction book, available from the IRS
or at tax form tables, includes more details on this and also
the filing threshold for each category. NWTRCC's
Practical #5, "Low Income/Simple Living as War Tax Resistance,"
also includes information on legal ways to reduce taxable income
at higher levels to owe no federal income taxes ($1 from the
NWTRCC office).
Faster Response by IRS?
Resisters who file and refuse to pay some or all of their taxes
have mentioned that letters and salary and bank account levies
seem to be arriving faster than in the past. A number of resisters
who refused 2006 taxes last spring are already experiencing seizures.
In workshops and counseling sessions be sure to note that obvious
assets may be vulnerable on a faster timeline than resisters used
to expect.
In addition, banks may add a fee to an IRS levy. One caller
told us her bank was charging a $100 fee for a $300 levy. Apparently
savings accounts are usually not charged a fee, but checking
accounts are. Non-interest bearing accounts are harder for the
IRS to find, but "cash transactions rule" says a comment on
the war tax resistance listserve on this topic. Consider living
without a bank account if you want to avoid such seizures-and
nasty bank fees!
Responding to Salary Levies
Many people ask what to do about a salary levy. Here are some
of the options. Perhaps other readers and counselors have more
ideas for this list?
- Allow the levy to happen; at least you aren't willingly
turning over money to them; you're forcing them to come to
you and to seize it.
- Quit the job.
- Quit the job and work on a volunteer basis for awhile until
the IRS gives up and withdraws the levy.
- Reduce your payroll to the minimum level allowed by IRS
(see chart above to figure the amount or ask your employer/payroll
office.)
Salaries are vulnerable to collection. Before a levy arrives,
change to being an independent contractor, if that makes sense
with the particular job and the employer allows that. Levies
for independent contractors are not standing levies; they are
only good for what is due at the time the levy arrives.
Filing and Identity Theft
According to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration
(TIGTA), the IRS has more than 2,100 databases that store taxpayer
and other financial data, many of which are susceptible to penetration
attacks. According to a November report, over the past five years
"significant weaknesses" have been detected in the IRS security
controls…. Over one out of ten of the databases recently tested
exhibited these problems…. TIGTA has stated that these weaknesses
could lead to taxpayer identity theft, fraud, and financial losses
to the federal government. A complete report can be found at treas.gov/tigta/auditreports/2008reports/200820029fr.pdf.
--Lincoln Rice
If You File, Be A Cog in the Works
The Government Accountability Office notes that it costs the IRS
$2.36 more to process a paper tax return than one that was filed
electronically. "Paper returns also limit the effectiveness of
IRS's enforcement programs. To control costs, IRS does not transcribe
all the lines on paper tax returns into its computer databases,
such as taxpayers' telephone numbers, limiting the amount of information
available electronically for enforcement purposes.... Further,
to avoid disadvantaging taxpayers who file electronically, IRS
has a policy of posting the same information from electronic and
paper returns to its databases. Consequently, if a line is not
transcribed from paper returns, it is not posted from electronic
returns either. Only information posted to computer databases
is readily available for use in IRS's automated compliance checking
programs. These programs include matching tax return entries with
information returns from third parties, such as W-2s from employers
or 1099s from financial institutions, and selecting suspicious
returns for audit."
--Dave Gross
New Frivolous Claims
The IRS welcomed in the new year by identifying four new frivolous
claims that can trigger a $5,000 penalty. One of the new claims
may be a result of the Appeals Court ruling against Daniel Jenkins'
last March (MTAP
April 2007):
Misinterpretation of the 9th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
regarding objections to military spending. Specifically, this
position states that the Ninth Amendment exempts those with
religious or other objections to military spending from paying
taxes to the extent the taxes will be used for military spending.
(Notice 2008-14, 2008-4 IRB)
The 9th Amendment reads: "The enumeration in the Constitution,
of certain rights shall not be construed to deny or disparage
others retained by the people."
The penalty can apply when filing a frivolous tax return (an
unacceptable form and showing a "frivolous" argument) or submitting
to IRS a frivolous request for a collection due process hearing
or application for an installment agreement, offer-in-compromise,
or Taxpayer Assistance Order.
Jenkins Presses On
Preparations are underway for an appeal to the Inter-American
Commission on Human Rights. The case is based on retained rights
of conscience as identified in state constitutions and as protected
from federal denial by the Ninth Amendment. The freedom of individual
conscience is also guaranteed in various international human rights
covenants. Jenkins cannot appeal to the United Nations human rights
tribunal system because the U. S. government has not ratified
the necessary protocol. For additional information contact Daniel
Jenkins at 518-891-4083.
Update on All Saints Church
In September 2007, All Saints Church, Pasadena, received a letter
from the IRS that it was closing the dormant two-year old IRS
examination of the church's tax exempt status. The IRS commenced
the investigation in June 2005, raising questions about a guest
sermon delivered by the Rev. Dr. George Regas, entitled "If Jesus
Debated Senator Kerry and President Bush." (MTAP Dec. 2005). However,
the IRS's letter also concluded without explanation that the sermon
in question constituted intervention in the 2004 Presidential
election
In response to the letter, All Saints Church, Pasadena formally
referred the numerous procedural and legal errors of the exam
to the Commissioner of the IRS and demanded a correction and
apology. In addition the Church's Rector, the Rev. J. Edwin
Bacon, Jr. expressed great concern about the letter's implications.
"While we are pleased that the IRS examination is finally over,
the IRS has failed to explain its conclusion regarding the single
sermon at issue. Synagogues, mosques, and churches across America
have no more guidance about the IRS rules now than when we started
this process over two long years ago. The impact of this letter
leaves a chilling effect cast over the freedom of America's
pulpits to preach core moral values. We have no choice but to
demand clarification on this matter with the IRS."
To follow this continuing story, see the "News and Actions"
page on the Church's
website. NWTRCC has added a page to our website, nwtrcc.org/nonprofit_status.htm,
to help counselors answer questions about WTR and 501(c)3 status.
[Return to List of Headlines]
We are grateful for recent contributions and dues payments
from:
Austin Conscientious Objectors to Military Taxation
Iowa Peace Network
Mennonite Central Committee
Resources for Organizing and Social Change (ROSC), Maine
and to Resist for a special grant of $350, a share of the extra
$40,000 they decided to grant in 2007 as part of their 40th
anniversary celebration. Happy Birthday, Resist!
[Return to List of Headlines]
Counselors and contacts are updated on our website fairly regularly.
If you find that contact information is not correct, please let
the NWTRCC office know. If you need someone in your area and do
not use the internet or see anyone near you, call the NWTRCC office
for referrals, 1-800-269-7464.
[Return to List of Headlines]
Legislative News
Conscience Needs Your Voice this Spring!
By Alan Gamble
The National Campaign for a Peace Tax Fund (NCPTF) invites
peace advocates to Washington, DC, for three unique times this
spring. Each event brings an opportunity to share information
about NCPTF and the Religious Freedom Peace Tax Fund Bill (HR
1921) or participate in lobby days on Capitol Hill.
March 6-10 Christian/Interfaith Peace Witness, christianpeacewitness.org,
is planning workshops, an interfaith service on the mall to
end the war in Iraq, and possible civil disobedience on March
6-7. This will blend into the March 7-10 Ecumenical Advocacy
Days and conference with the theme, "2008: Reclaiming a Vision
of True Security." There will be training to lobby on March
10, and over one thousand participants are expected. See advocacydays.org
for more information or call (202) 386-6397. Come and lobby
for the Peace Tax Fund bill (HR 1921) or help table at the conference.
March 21-31 NCPTF is sponsoring days of action at the
time when thousands of visitors come to Washington for the National
Cherry Blossom Festival. "A Blossoming of Conscience" will include
a rolling fast beginning on Purim/Good Friday/Bahai New Year,
and readers are encouraged to join and commit to a period of
fasting. Sunday, March 30, will feature a forum and worship
with primary Peace Tax Fund bill sponsor Representative John
Lewis. Monday, March 31 is lobby day, starting with a breakfast
with John Lewis and leaders of endorsing organizations, a program
including songs and stories from Citizens of Conscience, and
lobby training. Afternoon lobbying will be followed by a debriefing
and Celebration of Conscience with Congressional leaders and
a surprise celebrity.
May 16 Join NCPTF and the Center on Conscience and War,
centeronconscience.org,
for Conscientious Objector Day to lobby for the Military Conscientious
Objectors Act and the Peace Tax Fund bill. If you can't come
to DC, arrange to meet with your representative or senators
in your district, especially in February and March. Send NCPTF
a brief report of your meeting and together we will be a persistent
voice in following through. By all of us playing our small part
in a coordinated and strategic plan, the Peace Tax Fund bill
may be granted another public hearing before the Ways and Means
Committee. Strong grassroots support is also necessary to introduce
companion legislation in the Senate for the first time in twelve
years.
For more information contact NCPTF, 2121 Decatur Place NW,
Washington, DC 20008, 1-888-PEACETAX, www.peacetaxfund.org.
Alan Gamble is the Executive Director of the National Campaign
for a Peace Tax Fund.
[Return to List of Headlines]
New England Gathering
By Daniel Sicken
The 22nd annual New England Regional Gathering of War Tax
Resisters and Supporters was a huge success. It was held at
Woolman Hill Conference Center in Deerfield, Massachusetts.
Fifty-six registrants from six northeastern states enjoyed good
food, lively conversations with new and old friends, and the
warmth of wood stoves cranked up on a cold, snowy weekend in
early December.
The theme of the Gathering, "Embracing Simplicity," was well
illustrated by four presenters on Friday night (see page 8)
and set the tone on Saturday for several small group discussions
on food, transportation, housing, health care, community, and
other essential elements of our lives. In the evening we provided
our own talent show entertainment, and entertaining it was.
Many had a story or poem to share or a song to sing. In a skit,
agents from the Department of Homeland Simplicity raided the
home of a surprised family, searching for simplicity violations
and driving home the point that we can go too far with this
theme.
After sharing our personal war tax resistance experiences
in a large group discussion, regional reports from WTR groups
were given. It was evident that our group members are diminishing
when it seems they should be increasing in a time of unending
war. We discussed why this is occurring, which led to suggested
brainstormed themes for next year's gathering, including "growing
the movement," "fear and war tax resistance," and "war tax resistance
and war resistance by young people." (Watch for details in a
late summer or fall issue of this newsletter.)
On the whole, it was clear that this weekend was an enriching
experience. In essence, we shared with each other in building
community. Isn't that what it's all about?
Daniel Sicken lives in Vermont and works as an electrician.
He's been a WTR for the last 25 years and is active with Pioneer
Valley War Tax Resistance.
"Take a Bite from the IRS" on March 19
On Wednesday, March 19, War Resisters League, war tax resisters,
and others are planning a nonviolent blockade of the national
IRS headquarters in Washington, DC, as part of the day of actions
against the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Just as military recruiters
supply the bodies for the war, the IRS supplies the funding. To
mark the fifth anniversary of the invasion of Iraq, United for
Peace and Justice initiated a call for mass nonviolent civil disobedience
in Washington, DC, on March 19, and the IRS action is planned
in coordination with this call. If any of you can join in the
DC action on March 19, send an email to nycwrl@att.net
or leave a message at the NWTRCC office, 1-800-269-7464. See 5yearstoomany.org
for more information about March antiwar events.
Are You A Member?
The War Tax Resisters Penalty Fund (WTRPF) is a mutual aid fund
designed to assist ourselves in the event of an IRS seizure of
interest and penalty amounts. It is a way of spreading the financial
cost of resistance and redirection amongst all of us, rather than
having it borne only by those few who experience collections.
The Fund, which celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2006, is administered
by volunteers in North Manchester, IN.
The most recent appeal was mailed last November seeking $21.07
per member to reimburse three war tax resisters. We encourage
you to be part of this important support organization. If you
are not already a member send a note to the address below asking
to be added to the active member list. Toss in a donation ($21.07?)
if you can. As we promote the 2008 War Tax Boycott, it will
be very important for components of our movement such as the
WTRPF to be securely in place and well supported.
WTRPF, PO Box 25, N. Manchester, IN
46962
-Thanks to Robert Randall for providing this information,
which he posted on the war tax resistance listserve. You can
sign up for that - for free - on the NWTRCC homepage, nwtrcc.org.
Click on the "E-mail Discussion Group" button.
WTR and the Candidates
It's not often that tax resistance gets a thumbs-up from presidential
candidates, but Republican Ron Paul and Democrat Dennis Kucinich
both have had good things to say about tax resisters.
Paul told Newsweek: "Civil disobedience is a legitimate tool
in a free society... This money is supporting evil in the world,
through pre-emptive war. I mean, that's pretty evil as far as
I'm concerned. So much waste in a system of government that
has just overrun our liberties. In many ways it's heroic that
people are willing to risk their freedom to defend what they
think is freedom."
Kucinich, in an interview with Chris Hedges of The Nation,
said of tax resisters: "I understand that. That is a civil disobedience
tactic. It also invites scrutiny by the IRS, which doesn't really
care about anyone's politics. They just care about getting the
money they are owed. It is a brave thing for people to do because
there is a degree of risk in doing that. Why should people have
to do this? ... I am asking a rhetorical question. People are
feeling they have to do something."
Paul and Kucinich are also cosponsors of the Religious Freedom
Peace Tax Fund Bill.
-Dave Gross
[Return to List of Headlines]
Stock Up for Tax Day!
Prepare for workshops, leafleting, and tabling materials between
now and tax day! All bulk orders have postage in addition to the
cost of materials and can be invoiced. Below are a few options.
See the website, nwtrcc.org/publications.htm,
for a full list or contact the NWTRCC office for a copy, 1-800-269-7464
or nwtrcc@nwtrcc.org.
- "Our Tax Money Our Choice" - (brochure) 15˘ each general
orders, 12˘ each for affiliates
- "Where Your Income Tax Money Really Goes" - pie chart flyer
from War Resisters League - 2009 version available mid-February
- 10˘ each for orders of 200 or fewer (WRL handles larger
orders: 339 Lafayette St., NY, NY 10012, 212-228-0450).
- "Why Isn't Everyone Who's For Peace A War Tax Resister?
Answers to Common Questions" - (brochure) 15˘ each general
orders, 12˘ each for affiliates
- War Tax Resistance: A Guide to Withholding Your Support
from the Military, 144 page book. $15 each plus $4.60
first class postage (call for bulk rates)
- Practical War Tax Resistance Series booklets ($1 each;
50˘ for affiliates) - #1:
Controlling Withholding; #2:
To File Or Not To File; #3:
How To Resist Collection; #4:
Self-Employment; #5:
Low Income/Simple Living; #6:
Organizational Resistance; #7: Aging and War Tax Resistance.
- "War Tax Resistance At A Glance" (booklet) $2 each; $1
for affiliates)
- "On the Duty of Civil Disobedience" - essay by Henry David
Thoreau - $2.00 each
- "A Matter of Freedom" - essay by Juanita Nelson - $1.50
each
- WTR Exhibit - six 22"x34" posters (not mounted). $30 postpaid
- "Ask Me About War Tax Resistance" buttons. Single buttons
free. Call about bulk orders.
- 2008 War Tax Boycott materials are ready to download at
wartaxboycott.org
- see the "Tools" page.
Radio Ads
If you have a friendly radio station in your area, please help
promote our work by asking them about requirements for public
service announcements (PSA). Send in the text below if they agree
to read PSAs, or call or email the NWTRCC office (1-800-269-7464
or nwtrcc@nwtrcc.org) if
you'd like us to send them the prerecorded version, which you
can listen on the "Tools" page at www.wartaxboycott.org.
The text of our War Tax Boycott 30-second PSA is:
"It's time again for a war tax boycott. In 1968 thousands
including Kurt Vonnegut, Gloria Steinam, and James Baldwin made
a public pledge to stop paying taxes for the war in Vietnam.
Now, 40 years later, we've got another war to stop. To learn
more about war tax resistance visit www.wartaxboycott.org."
Compelled by Conscience
A revised and updated version of "Compelled by Conscience," the
introductory DVD by the National Campaign for a Peace Tax Fund,
is available now. This 12-minute film explains the idea of the
Religious Freedom Peace Tax Fund Bill through interviews with
war tax resisters, Congress people, organizational sponsors, and
activists. The new DVD has extras too, including interviews with
Campaign founder David Bassett, peace educator Colman McCarthy,
a tour of the NCPTF office, excerpts from the 35th anniversary
celebration and concert by John McCutcheon, and more.
DVD's are $20 each from NCPTF, 2121 Decatur Pl. NW, Washington,
DC 20008.
Note: In case you are wondering about the progress of NWTRCC's
"introduction to war tax resistance" film, we are working with
filmmakers at Pan Left Productions in Tucson, Arizona, and the
DVD is projected to be available by the end of the summer 2008.
[Return to List of Headlines]
Nominations Needed
NWTRCC's Administrative Committee (AdCom) seeks new members to
give oversight to day-to-day business operations and plan for
the two meetings held each November and May. New members from
nominations will be selected at the May 2008 meeting and serve
as alternates for one year and full members for two years. Full
members have travel paid to the meetings.
Contact NWTRCC for a job description, or send in nominations,
and we will follow up with further details. Self nominations
are fine, and affiliate groups should make a special effort
to offer nominations. Deadline for nominations is March 14,
2008.
Mark Your Calendar
Plan your travel now for the next National War Tax Resistance
gathering and Coordinating Committee meeting. Birmingham War Tax
Resisters, in the person of David Waters, will be hosting NWTRCC
over the weekend of May 2-4, 2008. Gatherings begin with dinner
on Friday and end at noon on Sunday after the business meeting.
Brochures will be mailed in March and information will be posted
on the NWTRCC website "Programs and Gatherings" page. Proposals
for new program ideas are due March 28.
[Return to List of Headlines]
"Embracing Simplicity" was the theme for the New England Gathering
of War Tax Resisters in December. The photos and profiles on this
page are taken from presentations by panel members who have all
"embraced simplicity" in their own way.
Ruthy Woodring
Ruthy is part of an 11-member workers' collective called Pedal
People in Northampton, Massachusetts, and lives in a communal
household. Pedal People use their bike power to offer a trash
pick-up service to residences, and they even secured a city contract
recently to empty the town's sidewalk trash cans. The collective
arrangement helps to support war tax resister members. As someone
who lives simply, Ruthy talks about seeing the "trash end of consumption."
She is amazed at the amount of trash one family can produce. "They're
taking up landfill, and so many people in the world have nothing."
The Pedal People website and newsletter give people ideas on how
to cut back on trash, and they do what they can to represent a
responsible lifestyle to the community at large through potlucks,
bike workshops, a public lending library, and even a free internet
phone set up next to the bike path behind their house for passers
by to use anytime. Check out Pedal People at pedalpeople.com.
Aaron Falbel
"The problem isn't Bush, it's us and the way we live. If we didn't
buy it, they wouldn't produce it." Aaron's war tax resistance
is motivated by a desire to address the causes of war, with U.S.
consumption as the number one cause. With less than 5% of the
world's population, the U.S. consumes 25% of the world's resources,
and Aaron has tried to minimize his participation in this overconsumption.
He bikes and walks and lives without a car. He has no computer,
cell phone, or TV, and would prefer to live without electricity
but compromises there, but he doesn't want to live in a cave.
He still feels trapped in the industrial society that demands
more resources and continues to do all he can to live a life that
promotes peace.
Frances Crowe
"I suddenly woke up about five years ago and made a big sign that
said 'Does Our Lifestyle Demand War?' and hung it on my door."
Frances then proceeded to work at changing her lifestyle, starting
by not using her car for two days a week. As she walked more,
she found she could use her car less and less-and liked walking
more and more. It became something of a meditation, with the added
bonus of meeting people along the way. She changed from a Friends
Meeting that was some miles away to one within walking distance,
and dropped her YMCA membership where they use so much heat and
air conditioning. She doesn't want to fly anymore and takes the
train instead. She's still working on many things, like buying
food that is grown locally. She's really working to reduce her
footprint on the planet, and at the same time redirecting taxes
from war to funding real human needs like schools, peace and justice
work, and rebuilding the new society in the shell of the old.
Daniel Staub
Desiring to live more lightly on the planet, Daniel is in an ongoing
process of developing a self-sustaining, urban lifestyle with
his wife and two children in Springfield, Massachusetts. They
have been working on this for number of years and just reached
a point where they could get rid of their refrigerator. They have
chickens, goats, and a big garden, and share and trade with neighbors
to fill the gaps. He offered a list of eight keys to their success:
- It's not "an experiment"; not short term but something
we are always working on.
- Find ways to meet challenges in the context of what we
care about; take the chance to explore what is possible.
- Haven't ever set a "5-year plan," so there's very little
disappointment.
- Try not to talk yourself out of things, like biking in
cold weather.
- Hold no resentment, like having no bike paths in your community;
find the positive in what seem to be obstacles.
- Emphasize joy - more time with family, etc.
- Don't try to fit creating a self-sustaining lifestyle into
a heavy work and activism schedule; not trying to do too much.
- Don't spend a lot of time thinking about the big picture
issues. He fears the powerlessness of facing big issues, like
global warming.
Recommended reading: Peak Everything by Richard Heinberg.
Ecological footprint quizes are circulating among many groups,
or see http://earthday-dev.shs.net/footprint
to find out how many planets you need to sustain your lifestyle.
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