Around 7 weeks ago, the US began bombing Iran at the start of its war campaign in late February. In the time that's passed,
thousands of civilians have died, homes have been destroyed, and the environment has been poisoned due to the US targeting oil refineries.
There's also been
an economic cost. Fuel costs are rising, making transportation, groceries, and even mortgages more expensive. On top of that,
experts estimate that the military costs to U.S. taxpayers have surpassed $100 billion already. Billion with a B.
Sign the petition to demand that Congress use its 'power of the purse' to shut down this war and use this funding to actually help everyday people instead!How else could that money have been used?
It could have funded healthcare, offered student debt relief, provided food for children, paid for job training, built public housing, or provided humanitarian aid instead. But every time voters have rallied behind these causes, Republicans have met them with mockery, rolling their eyes and scoffing, saying: "How are we going to pay for that?"
Yet, somehow, Donald Trump is finding the money to bomb Iran and its children's schools.Even more insulting, the Trump government only revealed how expensive the
first five days of this war were (that was $11.3 billion). We're now past 50 days. When Congress recently held a hearing with Trump's director of the Office of Management and Budget, Russell Vought,
he refused to share how much the Iran war is costing the American people. Lawmakers pressed him several times, but each time,
he completely dodged the question and would not provide a number.
Despite this, an economist at Harvard has tracked down the price of every component of the war, from missiles to troop deployments, to equipment and logistical support. Based on her detailed calculations, Trump's government is
spending around $2 billion each day on this war.
And now,
Trump is asking for even more money - he recently told Congress that he wants it to approve an almost 50% increase in defense spending, up to $1.5 trillion. He says this is to help him build his so-called "dream military."
So apparently he thinks the government can find money for this, but not for things that would actually help people - like education, housing, healthcare, and so forth.
The people of Iran - and in fact, people around the world - are suffering as a result of Trump's illegal war. He never received Congressional approval to begin this onslaught. He's violating international law. But killing people is more important to Donald Trump than ensuring American taxpayers live quality lives.
The U.S. Constitution gave Congress the 'power of the purse,' and U.S. law states that only Congress can declare war. That means members of Congress could intervene - and they absolutely must, immediately! Sign the petition! 