I am a NYC-based writer, musician, activist, and volunteer with the Peace Alliance and FreeganDotInfo. I bring you this freegan apple pie in conjunction with the Peace Alliance Mother’s Day National Action to let Congress know, with unforgettable visuals and “tasteables,” that peacebuilding wants and deserves a piece of the federal budget pie.
It was incredible that the government came to the brink of shutdown last month as the two parties bickered about which programs should be cut. Peace activists like myself could not believe that military expenditure was never on the table, even when half of our federal income taxes are siphoned to the military.
The violence being carried out in our name around the world is hurting our image abroad and inciting more people to violence. It is also incredibly expensive and wasteful. And all that to say nothing of the devastating affects our wars have on the countries in which they are fought! I contend that the US would be much more secure if we stopped engaging offensive wars and put the money, resources, and manpower into peacebuilding – both domestically and abroad – and homeland security instead.
I see that you have already sponsored the bill to institute a federal Department of Peace. That is a great first step and I’m thankful that you’ve come behind this important piece of legislation! Hopefully a DOP could begin to ameliorate the damage done by the wars. In the mean time, I hope that you will continue to pursue policies that increase the peace in our city, ever letting your conscience be your guide.
Please enjoy the pie and I’ll hope to meet with you in the next month or two to discuss these issues further. Until then, I wish you abounding peace.
Sincerely,
Gio Andollo