[Antiracism] [Workers' Rights] New Tools for a New Administration!

[WMass Jobs With Justice]

From: National Priorities Project info at nationalpriorities.org  



 

NPP Bulletin



A new administration is forming - the change we have anticipated becomes possible. And with this change comes a remarkable opportunity for creating new budget priorities for our nation.

At NPP, we know the work we do from today forward is more important than ever. We must work harder, smarter, and more strategically so that “change” is not campaign rhetoric, but an opening to a better future for all Americans. NPP will continue to produce tools to help you shape our federal budget. We will continue to bring home the cost of the Iraq war for our communities and our states, while working to expand and enliven national conversations about energy and energy alternatives – and much more. 

This is a landmark year for NPP in another way as well – our organization turns 25 this year! Don't miss the anniversary video made by our friends at the Media Education Foundation (MEF) and narrated by long-time NPP supporter Rachel Maddow: http://www.nationalpriorities.org/25th_anniversary_video <http://www.nationalpriorities.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=172724&qid=158640> . 

What else is new? 

Individual Cost of the Iraq War Calculator 
In addition to our Cost of the Iraq War calculator and associated trade-offs, we now have an Individual Cost of the Iraq War calculator donated to National Priorities Project by Jim Cousins and Don Raleigh of Minnesota, who co-founded and built the original My War Tax website. The cost of the war in Iraq is the sum of two figures: War Tax Paid and War Tax Still Owed, which includes veteran’s health care and disability compensation that are committed, but not yet paid. The calculator includes notes and citations for each step of the process. Find the Individual Cost of the Iraq War calculator here: http://www.nationalpriorities.org/costofwar_home <http://www.nationalpriorities.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=172725&qid=158640> .

Energy Priorities Quiz
As part of NPP's latest report, The Military Cost of Securing Energy, our Research Department created an interactive game to help you assess your knowledge of our nation's energy priorities. Take the Energy Priorities Quiz here: http://www.nationalpriorities.org/energy_security/priorities_quiz <http://www.nationalpriorities.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=172726&qid=158640> . 

Fact Sheets 
We've also produced new fact sheets that make sense of vital information about energy consumption and alternatives. Now you can download state-by-state fact sheets about energy use and fossil fuels, and one-page hand-outs that explain the real cost of a barrel of oil and a gallon of gas. 

State-by-State: 
Priorities for Energy 
This four-page fact sheet examines the past and current consumption of fossil fuel, renewable, and nuclear energy, as well as state-specific numbers and actions you can take to help achieve national energy security. View it here: http://www.nationalpriorities.org/Energy_Security/Energy_Priorities <http://www.nationalpriorities.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=172728&qid=158640> . 

Hidden Costs of Petroleum 
This two-page fact sheet locates our nation's dependence on fossil fuels in a global context and examines the staggering military cost of defending international sources. It also has suggestions for future actions. View it here: http://www.nationalpriorities.org/Energy_Security/Energy_Priorities <http://www.nationalpriorities.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=172728&qid=158640> . 

And coming soon... 

Oil and Gas Fact Sheets 
These one-pagers examine the real cost of a barrel of oil and a gallon of gas. Both will be available starting tomorrow (November 6) for downloading. Once they're published on our website, be sure to take a look and turn them into action! Download and print each flyer and take action – distribute them to your legislators, hand them out on the street, or write a letter to the editor. 

The Hidden Cost of Oil 
The United States uses the equivalent of 32 million barrels of crude oil every day, 16 million of which are imported. Today, a barrel of crude oil costs approximately $65. But there is an additional and hidden cost to our imported fuels. The additional cost is the $215.4 billion that the U.S. military spends each year to secure access to imported energy. This means, in addition to the $65/barrel price of crude oil, the American people also pay $37 in taxes for each of the 5.8 billion barrels of oil we use every year. $215.4 billion represents nearly 30% of the federal defense budget to gain access to foreign energy. 

The Hidden Cost of Gasoline 
The United States uses approximately 390 million gallons of gasoline every day, a large proportion of which comes from imported oil. Today, the average price of gasoline is about $2.65 per gallon. The price at the pump represents a portion of what Americans pay for our gasoline. The additional cost is the $215.4 billion that the U.S. military spends each year to secure access to imported energy. This means, in addition to the $2.65/gallon price of gasoline, the American people pay an additional $0.57 for each of the 142 billion gallons of gasoline we use every year. $215.4 billion represents nearly 30% of the federal defense budget - just to gain access to foreign energy. 

Our Database Updates Continue... 
In the coming weeks, we will be expanding our extensive database. Look for new numbers, which reflect the most current information available, in the following areas: 

1. Federal spending datasets will soon be updated to 2007. 
2. Military recruitment numbers will be updated to 2008. 
3. Poverty, Median Household Income, Health Insurance, Education Data will be available through 2007. 
4. Budget Pages have been updated to reflect FY 2009 spending priorities, and will be updated again when the new President's budget comes out in February. 
5. National Security Pages will be updated in time for the new administration. These pages contain graphs and maps which put the U.S. military in a global context. The pages also offer comparisons of military spending versus other means of achieving homeland security. 

 

As always, we are grateful for your support of our collective work for change. 

With all best wishes for the days ahead. 

Onward! 

Jo Comerford 
Executive Director 

 

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[Workers' Rights] posts opportunities for you to learn about and show solidarity with workplace and working class struggles. And these events are opportunities for JwJ members to fulfill their pledge:  <http://www.jwj.org/pledge.html> "I'll be there for workers' rights at least five times a year!" This is the core mission of Jobs with Justice ( <http://www.jwj.org/> www.jwj.org), affirming that workers' rights are human rights. To subscribe, send an email to wmjwj at wmjwj.org with a Subject of "Subscribe Worker's Rights".



Western Mass Jobs with Justice
640 Page Blvd #101
Springfield MA 01104
(413) 827-0301 

 

 

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