Sixty-six congressional candidates and 24 national organizations are opposing any more funding for the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, no matter what unrelated measures are packaged into the same bill, and no matter whether the bill appears likely to pass or not. This position contrasts strongly with that of most incumbent congress members who “oppose” and “criticize” the wars. The new Coalition Against War Spending is inviting more candidates, including all incumbents, and national organizations to join. The 66 candidates who have already signed on are from 25 different states, and include 22 Greens, 19 Democrats, 19 Libertarians, 3 Independents, 1 Republican, 1 Socialist, and 1 Peace and Freedom Party member (and more may be added to the website by the time you read this). Fifty-six are candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives, and 10 for the Senate.
The U.S. Senate passed $33.5 billion to escalate the war in Afghanistan on Thursday, and the House is likely to take up the same bill in some form following next week’s recess.
Members of the Coalition Against War Spending do not all agree with each other on many topics, including their reasons for opposing war spending. But they all back this short statement:
“The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have cost Americans over $1 trillion in direct costs, and over $3 trillion altogether. At a time when our national debt exceeds $13 trillion, we can no longer afford these wars. It’s time for Congress to reject any funding except to bring all our troops safely home.”
SIGNED BY CANDIDATES AND ORGANIZATIONS:
Candidates for U.S. House of Representatives: Nick Coons, AZ-05, Tempe/Scottsdale, Libertarian | Statement Rebecca Schneider, AZ-06, Phoenix, Democrat Richard Grayson, AZ-06, Apache Junction, Green | Statement Carol Wolman, CA-01, northwest corner, Green Clint Curtis CA-04, northeast corner, Democrat | Statement Ben Emery CA-04, Nevada City, Green Mark Williams, CA-12, San Carlos, Libertarian Mary V. Larkin, CA-17, Monterey, Libertarian | Statement Les Marsden, CA-19, Yosemite/Mariposa, Democrat | Statement Randall Weissbuch, CA-26, Arcadia, Libertarian Richard R. Castaldo, CA-30, Peace and Freedom Party Marcy Winograd, CA-36, Los Angeles, Democrat | Video William Hedrick, CA-44, Riverside/San Clemente, Democrat Ken Arnold, CA-46, Orange and L.A., Democrat | Statement Mike Paster, CA-49, Fallbrook, Libertarian Tracy Emblem, CA-50, San Diego, Democrat | Statement Michael Benoit, CA-52, San Diego, Libertarian Lisa Ann Green, CA-53, Venice, Green Gary Swing, CO-01, Denver, Green | Statement G. Scott Deshefy, CT-02, New London, Green Doug Tudor, FL-12, Riverview et al, Democrat Marleine Bastien, FL-17, North Miami, Democrat Regina Thomas, GA-12, Savannah, Democrat Matt Reichel, IL-05, Chicago, Green Bill Scheurer, IL-08, Lindenhurst, Green / Independent Rodger Jennings, IL-12, Alton, Green Doug Marks, IL-14, Carpentersville, Libertarian | Statement Sheldon Schafer, IL-18, Peoria, Green John Wayne Cunningham, IN-08, Terre Haute, Libertarian | Statement James E. “Jim” Holbert, KY-05, London, Democrat | Statement Peter White, MA-10, Cape Cod, Independent Charlie Shick, MI-03, Wyoming, Green Anna Janek, MI-09, West Bloomfield, Republican Michael Cavlan, MN-05, Minneapolis, Independent Progressive | Statement Kevin Craig, MO-07, Springfield, Libertarian Thomas Hill, NC-08, Fayetteville, Libertarian Lon Cecil, NC-12, High Point, Libertarian Jonathan Tasini, NY-15, New York City, Democrat | Statement | Video Emin Eddie Egriu, NY-28, Buffalo, Democrat Chris Henry, OR-01, Portland, Green Michael Meo, OR-03, Portland, Green | Statement Ebert G. Beeman, PA-03, Lake Erie, Libertarian | Statement Vernon Etzel, PA-05, Oil City, Libertarian Ed Bortz, PA-14, Pittsburgh, Green | Statement Jake Towne, PA-15, Nazareth, Independent | Statement David Segal, RI-01, Democrat Eric Schechter, TN-05, Nashville, Democrat Christopher J. Claytor, TX-03, Plano, Libertarian | Statement Steve Susman, TX-22, Houston, Libertarian | Statement Martin Nitschke, TX-23, El Paso to San Antonio, Libertarian | Statement John Jay Myers, TX-32, Dallas, Libertarian | Statement Claudia Wright, UT-02, Salt Lake City, Democrat Ron Fisher, VA-08, Arlington, Independent Green/Progressive Larry Kalb, WA-02, northwest corner, Democrat Diana McGinness, WA-02, Bellingham, Democrat | Statement Roy Olson, WA-09, Olympia, Green | Statement
Candidates for U.S. Senate: Duane Roberts, CA, Green | Statement Gail K Lightfoot, CA, Libertarian | Statement John Finger, CO, Libertarian | Statement Bob Kinsey, CO, Green | Statement Richard A. Weir, NC, Green | Statement Cecile Lawrence, NY, Green Dan La Botz, OH, Socialist | Statement Rick Staggenborg, OR, Green Mel Packer, PA, Green | Statement Ben Masel, WI, Democrat (2012)
Organizations: Backbone Campaign Campaign Corner: A Home for Progressive Populist Candidates | Statement CODE PINK: Women for Peace Consumers for Peace The Democratic Activist Democrats.com End US Wars Global Exchange Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space Global Peace Green Change | Statement Jobs for Afghans | Statement Justice Through Music Liberty Tree Military Families Speak Out Peace Majority Report Progressive Democrats of America Progressive Push Proposition One Campaign Rethink Afghanistan Velvet Revolution Veterans For Peace Voters For Peace War Criminals Watch WarIsACrime.org
READ ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS FROM SIGNERS.
WATCH VIDEOS FROM SIGNERS.
NB: The candidates and organizations listed here are not endorsing each other, and many strongly disagree with each other on many issues. But all fully support the statement at the top.
ADD YOUR NAME AS A CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE OR A NATIONAL ORGANIZATION.
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