As the Budget Showdown in Washington continues, Congress is debating where cuts should be made. They have left a lot of options on the table when it comes to cutting programs that help people in poverty, those who are unemployed, and working families struggling to make ends meet. We have to tell them to keep Pentagon spending on the table too!

 

Defense spending is at a high point and needs to be pared down. Big defense contractor CEOs are the ones making money off this spending, not those in the middle who need jobs. In 2011, the CEOs at Lockheed Martin, Boeing, United Technologies, and Northrop Grumman each made between $22 million and $27.6 million.

 

Even though these CEOs are making millions, a recent Project on Government Oversight study showed that the top five defense contractors were cutting jobs while taking more and more taxpayer dollars. The report found between 2006 and 2011, the top five contractors received a 10% increase in government rewards, but employed tens of thousands FEWER people!

 

Do we really think that these big corporations and CEOs should continue to receive our tax dollars while those who need health care, food assistance, and Social Security are worrying about their basic necessities being cut?

 

The Pentagon has said it doesn't even need all the money that Congress is giving. Let's be clear about what this means: Congress can cut defense spending without jeopardizing national security efforts. 

 

 

Thanks for your help in reining in our defense spending!