Stances & Statements
POWER / INSTITUTIONS - Part 3
United States Armed Forces & the Military Industrial Complex
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Consumerism
We encourage people to become responsible consumers. That means several actions, like reducing waste, and reusing and recycling resources and products. When possible, supporting companies that have good business practices. While it is generally more expensive to often support responsible companies with environmentally friendly products and services, we must do the best we can to “vote with our dollars” as that will help to sustain and grow better industry and practices and can lead to lower competitive prices that benefit the consumer.
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Taxes
Taxes are needed to pay for mutually shared aspects of our society, as well as social welfare that the most vulnerable people need to survive. If we did not pay taxes, we would have a lot less collectively, from social programs to national defense infrastructure. However, there are problems with the tax system (United States). A major set of problems is when tax money is misspent. For example, when the money does not go to where it's said to go, when taxpayers are overcharged for goods and services, when companies get rich by taking advantage of the taxpayer and fail to provide the best service/product at a fair price.
The other main issue is that corporations and very wealthy people are not paying their fair share of taxes. On the opposite end of the household income spectrum, many people who are considered poor still pay a significant amount of taxes.
We think everyone should pay their fair share of taxes, but everyone should be taken care of in regard to shelter, food, education, and medical care. If people are paying taxes, and not getting those benefits, then that is just exploitation.
United States Armed Forces & the Military Industrial Complex
Every nation needs a military to protect its people, its land, and its infrastructure. The military is an organization that needs to have the most accomplished, disciplined, and educated people controlling its many aspects. There can be great honor and integrity in this type of organization if done properly. The problem with the military is that often there is vast corruption. It turns out that war does not bring out the best in human beings. The USF does not approve of how military members are exploited. There is a history of experimentation on soldiers and civilians, a lack of honesty, and not keeping promises, such as properly taking care of soldier’s needs with the VA (Veterans Affairs), as has been seen with those who suffered severe medical complications due to burn pits commonly used in Iraq and Afghanistan.
We have great respect for those who serve honorably in the armed forces with values similar to ours. While it is necessary to have the best people in the military to make it a better organization, we cannot at this time comfortably endorse serving in the military as a career due to the many existing problems.
One of the concerns with the military as warned by former U.S. president Dwight D. Eisenhower is the military-industrial complex, the economic machine behind the U.S. military that promotes war and political manipulation to further its greedy agenda. Maybe the greatest concern of all is what we see in many countries, where the military is in power, and controls the people. In the United States, it's still very much the case, there is just a greater illusion of control by the people. No doubt the American people have a lot of influence, and many freedoms, but they are up against a power that can be hard, if not impossible, in ways to compete with.
War & Violence
War in particular is the ultimate failing of human beings. It’s a culmination of all the negative aspects of the human species. The unfortunate part of both war and violence is that it only takes one side to create the problem. Violence should only be taken when necessary, this being the absolute last resort for self-defense when there is no other reasonable solution to the problem. There is debate on the best way to prevent war from ever starting, as well as putting an end to war once it has begun.
The only way human beings can win a war is to prevent it.
– George C. Marshall
Wherever someone stands on military strategy, it’s evident that diplomacy, prosperity, and kindness can go a long way toward peace and global stability.