Tax Protesting

I wouldn’t consider myself much of an anti-war activist. True, I am thoroughly opposed to both the war in Afghanistan and the war in Iraq and have been so since there inception. What have I done to protest it? Not much. Sign some e-petitions, fervently discuss the issues among friends, faithfully nod in agreement to whatever “anti-war” rhetoric I come across. The climate of activism in the US feels dead to me and does to many people I know; a large fraction of the population my age can feel the apathy towards making any positive change here or abroad.

Things have to change one way or another. In an environment where you’re encouraged to “live socially” while hiding behind a mobile phone or computer where you are sharing your experiences, it becomes difficult to build momentum for this change. I’ve struggled with the idea of effective protests for a while - always reaching the same hardening conclusion that my message ultimately will not be heard. Today, I decided to do what I can, in a way that I think can have direct effect and catch some attention. I’ve decided to protest the wars (and the bloated military budget en masse) by withholding a certain portion (54%) of my 2009 tax payment to the IRS.

There are numerous resources, essays and articles available on the web that discuss this idea. I’ll quickly direct you to www.warresisters.org, wartaxboycott.org, and the original inspiration for my actions - http://www.commondreams.org/view/2010/04/13-4.

Below is a copy of the letter that was attached to my payment to the IRS and to the State of Oregon. I intend to send this letter to a few newspapers in the region as well, as this is an elephant in the room that I can no longer ignore.

April 15th, 2010

This letter is to serve notice that I am conscientiously objecting to ongoing war efforts by refusing to pay the portion of my taxes budgeted towards military spending. This includes the current military occupation in Iraq, operations in Afghanistan, the “War on Terror” and all other military operations and research.

I can no longer continue to willingly put my tax dollars in the hands of a goverment so hypocritical, so violent and so insolent. I will no longer continue to fund a government that praises the spirit of democracy, the beaty of life, the pursuit of happiness yet continues to wage pointless, unwinnable wars - killing hundreds of thousands of civilians and innocent people. I cease paying into a budget that prioritizes weapons research over education spending. My money will not be used to hire private contractors and military personnel, held unaccountable, to slay innocent people in the name of freedom and to extort all involved along the way. More people die here at home from cancer, car accidents, cigarettes, diabetes than people from the so called “war on terror”, or non-existent WMDs, or any other false threats from “madmen” around the world. THOSE are the perils I want my government to provide protection from - these are the things that kill our brothers, sisters, mothers and fathers in our neighborhoods.

Cities, towns and states across America are failing in every way, unable to provide the fundamental necessities for life we’ve all been promised. We see a lack of mental health and social services, non-profit universal healthcare, a robust, effective education system. Quality of life is or has diminished for too many people here, subverted to war profiteering and murder through a bloated military budget complicity created by my “representation”.

Since my government still hasn’t received the message - perhaps this will catch your attention. Credible sources estimate 54% of the 2009 federal budget will go to military spending - which is the portion that I have opted to withhold.

Peace and prosperity before all else,

Evan Reeves