------------------------- Via Workers World News Service Reprinted from the Feb. 7, 2002 issue of Workers World newspaper -------------------------
BUSH WANTS $48B MORE TO GREASE WAR AMCHINE By Michael Kramer The Bush administration has announced that it will ask the Democrats and Republicans in Congress to authorize spending approximately $100 billion in additional funds to ensure that the U.S. ruling class and its supporters maintain economic, military and political dominance domestically and internationally. This is what the so-called "war on terrorism" is really about. Almost half this amount, $48 billion, is to be given to the Pentagon generals and the military-industrial complex. Another $38 billion is being offered to the FBI, Customs Service, Border Patrol, local police forces and virtually every secret and semi-secret federal law enforcement and intelligence agency. Relatively small amounts are being earmarked for hospitals and firefighters. Congress has already authorized spending $17.5 billion to pay for the war against Afghanistan. Much of this money has been quickly transferred to the transnational oil companies as payment for naval and aviation fuel. The balance goes to defense contractors that produce replacement parts for weapon systems and those that manufacture munitions like smart bombs and air-to-ground missiles. Huge profits are made in all these industries. Corporate executives skim large amounts for themselves. Tens of millions of dollars are recycled as campaign contributions to members of Congress. The monies are being transferred from health, education, social welfare, recreation and cultural programs and institutions. President George W. Bush claims that spending this money will prevent terrorist attacks, and as a side- benefit, improve the economy. Nothing could be further from the truth. Since 9/11, hatred of the Bush administration and the Pentagon has increased worldwide--from Argentina to Pakistan to Palestine, and even among its European allies. Growing numbers of workers, youth and progressives see U.S. international policy resulting in worsening economic conditions at home and increased instability on and beyond its borders. The policies of the Bush administration, and the Clinton administration before it, have created a climate that threatens the security of everybody living in and visiting the United States. The real result of the spending will be like pouring gasoline on a fire. The spending will also greatly increase the rate at which the standard of living of workers--retired, disabled, underemployed and unemployed--is dropping. The Jan. 24 New York Times reported that, "Tens of thousands of elderly patients with serious diseases like cancer have no affordable insurance coverage for their basic medical needs. ... In Illinois, only one elderly or disabled person in 10 has access to drug coverage." In this wealthy country, these are human rights violations. The Bush administration war on "terrorism" is a war on elders. Meanwhile, the ruling class, members of Congress and Bush administration personnel receive cutting-edge medical treatment at facilities like the Mayo Clinic and Bethesda Naval Hospital. The Bronx is one of five counties that make up the city of New York. It is so very rich in peoples' culture. Its population is thoroughly multinational with large communities of Spanish, English and Garifuna-speaking Caribbean people, African Americans, Central Americans, West Africans and Albanians. In the late 1970s it was the cradle of hip-hop and the Hip-Hop Nation. The Bronx Museum of the Arts has recently seen its attendance increase as the result of the exhibit "One Planet Under a Groove: Hip Hop and Contemporary Art." Thousands of school children visit the museum every year. As billions of dollars are being transferred to the Pentagon and all types of police agencies, government funding has been cut to the Bronx Museum. In early January the heat was turned off for two days. The museum caf� has been closed and the gift shop downsized. Employees have been laid off and hours have been cut for those still working. Exhibits have been cancelled. This is institutional racism and cultural genocide. These are the real results of the increase in military and police spending by the Bush administration. - END - (Copyright Workers World Service: Everyone is permitted to copy and distribute verbatim copies of this document, but changing it is not allowed. For more information contact Workers World, 55 W. 17 St., NY, NY 10011; via e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] For subscription info send message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Web: http://www.workers.org) ------------------ This message is sent to you by Workers World News Service. To subscribe, E-mail to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, E-mail to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To switch to the DIGEST mode, E-mail to <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Send administrative queries to <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
