Spend our tax dollars wisely

As we approach the April 15 deadline for the payment of our 2013 income taxes, it might be useful to think where our income tax dollars go.

In 2013, 40 percent of our nation’s discretionary budget, the budget made of our income tax dollars, went to the military budget, 23 percent to health care, 16 percent to assist low income households, 11 percent for general governmental operations, six percent for community and economic development, three percent for energy, science and the environment, and two percent for development, diplomacy and war prevention.

It is interesting that 40 percent, the largest amount, goes to the military, while the smallest category, two percent, goes to the entire state department, including the diplomatic corps and the Agency for International Development, support for the United Nations and other non-military aid to other countries.

The U.S. military budget is larger than the combined military budgets of the next 15 countries, including China, Russia, Great Britain and France. So why do we spend 40 percent of our money on the military?

I believe it is time to bring our military budget under control, and start moving the money from the military to human needs, education, health care, job training, infrastructure and environment.

It is my hope that this is the message we will be sending to Senators Menendez and Booker, and Congressmen Frelinghuysen and Garrett, as they debate and vote on the Fiscal Year 2015 budget.

Litsa Binder
Sparta