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More than a paycheck NEWS FROM THE WAR TAX RESISTANCE MOVEMENT June 2006 Tax Day 2006 War Taxes Protested and Redirected Albuquerque, NM We had a small demonstration at the Federal Building/Post Office on April 17. The Raging Grannies came and sang their tax songs and we had some good conversations with the passers by, whom we leafleted, and good conversations with the guard at the building too. –Aanya Adler Friess, Albuquerque War Tax Alternative Fund Austin, TX About 20 people held signs and passed out pie chart flyers at the Austin downtown post office on Monday afternoon. Earlier in the day, Ann Wright, Cindy Sheehan, Bill Mitchell, Juan Torres and others who had come to Austin following Easter Camp Casey just up the road in Crawford, Texas, participated with local students and Code Pink in a counter-recruitment rally and march to an Army recruiting station. Ann Wright and several other Camp Caseyites New York City War Tax Resistance and NYC War Resisters League held a lively lunchtime vigil in front of the Manhattan IRS featuring “Uncle Sam” on stilts and wearing an appropriate death mask. There was street also joined the demonstration at the post theatre on the theme of war, death, and taxes before the group headed off on a walk taking them through the office, along with Universal Living Wage ever-busy Times Square to the main post office. With “Uncle Sam,” the skeletal figure, drummers, two coffins supporters and Austin Conscientious representing deaths in Iraq, and lots of signs, the group of about 25 attracted a lot of attention and handed out Objectors to Military Taxation (ACOMT). hundreds of pie chart flyers. Photos by Ruth Benn and Tom Good. –Susan Van Haitsma, ACOMT several hours. The results are similar to how Brattleboro, VT Bangor, ME most people in other polls really want their War tax resisters gathered on April 15 out- On April 18, the deadline day for Maine tax money spent and very different from side the Brattleboro post office for a vigil and tax returns, a group of us conducted a how our federal government actually does public redirection ceremony. Resisters gave penny poll outside the main post office in spend that money: health, education, and $5,000 to six local nonprofits: Citizens Bangor. We gave each person ten pennies, welfare, 27%; environment, 17%; alternative Awareness Network, Morningside Shelter, each representing ten percent of money they energy, 15%; national defense and homeland Military Families Speak Out, Women’s Crisis were paying in federal income taxes security, 9%; with small percentages for Center, Windham County Reads, and a and asked them to put money in jars science and research, transportation, agricul- community gardening program. The groups representing ten of the major parts of the ture, interest on the debt, infrastructure, and sent representatives to accept the checks, federal budget. government administration. Just over 100 participated in the poll over –Larry Dansinger, ROSC continued on page 4

National War Tax Resistance Coordinating Committee • P.O. Box 150553, Brooklyn, NY 11215 • (718)768-3420 • (800)269-7464 COUNSELING NOTES

percent fee for this “convenience.” The article also Explaining W-4 Resistance points out that electronic filing incurs a $10– Many WTR counselors get tongue-tied trying to $15 fee because the IRS cannot process the returns explain to salaried employees what the W-4 does directly, and taxpayers must choose one of the “gov- and how to adjust allowances for those interested in ernment-authorized electronic return originators.” war tax resistance. Flying to Seattle for NWTRCC Apparently fees can be avoided with tax software meetings, Daniel Woodham was amazed to find an for federal taxes, but not necessarily state taxes. article in the Continental airlines magazine giving For those who file it seems wiser, or at least more a concise explanation of the role of the W-4. It frugal, to stick with the paper return. ▼ More than a encouraged people who are getting a big refund from the IRS to adjust their allowances and receive paycheck more take-home pay while lending the government Debt and the IRS less money. Written by experts at Kiplinger’s The question arose at our May 7 counseling Editor session as to where the IRS stands in the line for Ruth Benn Personal Finance, the information is on their website (www.kiplinger.com/personalfinance/ collection of debt when liens have been filed. If a Production tools/withholding) and includes a calculator to non-tax debt is filed before the IRS files a lien, Rick Bickhart help figure allowances. Kiplinger’s encourages does that dissuade the IRS from pursuing a collec- Printing employees to take a look at their W-4 at least tion? The book Stand Up to the IRS says that “Unlike Lakeside Printing every two years. In addition, they refer people to other creditors, the IRS has no legal obligation to Cooperative IRS Publication 919, Is My Withholding Correct?, take you to court before seizing your car or pay- Printed on Recycled Paper and the IRS’s online calculator listed on this page: check…. As far as the IRS is concerned, your tax www.irs.gov/individuals. Check out these resources obligation takes priority over all other debts.” The More Than a Paycheck is a and try out the calculators using different numbers Times article noted in the section above says “you bimonthly publication of the to help you better understand the process and might be tempted to pay off your taxes with the National War Tax Resistance develop new ways to describe W-4 resistance credit card. After all, the government stands at the Coordinating Committee, a to counselees. ▼ front of the line of your creditors in any proceeding clearinghouse and resource and that debt can’t be discharged by bankruptcy. center for the conscientious But credit card companies stand at the end of war tax resistance Charge It? the line with unsecured debt.” [However, bank- movement in the United According to a March 4, 2006, New York ruptcy law says that taxes paid by credit card in the States. NWTRCC is a Times article, “Tax Bills and Plastic Are Not a Good previous three years is not dischargeable through coalition of local, regional Mix” by Damon Darlin, more than a million bankruptcy.] An unpaid car loan might deter IRS and national affiliate groups people pay their taxes by credit card, often to get seizure of the vehicle, since the finance company or working on war tax reward points for travel. The author offers a few cal- seller must be paid off first after an auction, but related issues. culations to show that this does not pay off and, in even that is not a guarantee against seizure. Can addition, notes that the companies that process anyone confirm an instance where a non-tax debt NWTRCC sees poverty, racism, credit card payments for the IRS charge a 2.49 has inhibited collection? ▼ sexism, homophobia, economic exploitation, environmental destruction and militarization of law enforcement as integrally linked with the militarism which we abhor.Through the Many Thanks Network Updates redirection of our tax dollars, NWTRCC members contribute directly to the struggle for peace and justice for all. Thanks to each of you who responded to our May Southeast Region: Delete: Ruth Hyde Paine, Florida appeal! In addition, we are grateful for the contributions, (moving out of state) Subscriptions to redirections, and affiliate fees from these groups: More Than a Paycheck California: So. CA War Tax Resistance, Joe Maizlish, are $15 per year. Christians for Peace, Harrisonburg, VA new phone number: (323) 660-4992 NWTRCC Michiana War Tax Refusers, South Bend, IN Northwest and Beyond: Irv Hollingshead, Hawaii P.O. Box 150553 New York City People’s Life Fund, NY (moving out of state). We seek a new Hawaii contact. Brooklyn, NY 11215 Northern California People’s Life Fund, Berkeley, CA A counselors’ training was held in Seattle, May 9. (718) 768-3420 Quaker City Meeting, NH Oregon and Washington are blessed with many (800) 269-7464 Southern California War Tax Alternative Fund, excellent counselors, not all of whom are listed in our FAX: (718) 768-4388 Los Angeles, CA national list. Contact the Northwest groups listed for email: [email protected] Taxes for Peace Not War!, Eugene, OR referral locally. Web: www.nwtrcc.org Washington, DC Area Alternative Fund, DC

PAGE 2 More than a paycheck ¥ June 2006 In Memory letters To the Editor: Wallace Collett I found the interview with Howard Zinn e are sad to report that NWTRCC policy and litigation efforts. He was clerk in the April issue of More Than a Paycheck Wfriend and supporter Wallace (chair) of the American Friends Service both very interesting and disturbing. It was Collett died on May 9, 2006, at Committee board when AFSC made its interesting to learn how Mr. Zinn rationaliz- age 91. In addition to being a resister him- courageous decision to deliver medical sup- es his unwillingness to resist paying war self, he was a principal force behind the plies directly to both North and South taxes and how he is sure WTR will not Friends Committee on War Tax Concerns Vietnam during the war. become a mass movement. It was disturbing (1985–1988), a board member of the Peace NWTRCC honored Wallace among our to learn that WTR is not attractive to a man Tax Campaign, and—after his move from wise elders at the November 2004 meeting in with deep understanding of peace and jus- Cincinnati to Philadelphia a few years Swarthmore, PA (see MTAP, December tice issues. back—a loyal and key supporter of 2004). He will be missed. Apparently Howard Zinn, like most Philadelphia Yearly Meeting’s tax resistance –Peter Goldberger Americans, is immersed in the comfort and security of our unsustainable materialism and risking loss of money and security is too much to ask. The interview suggests our sit- uation is even more desperate or hopeless continued from page 6 Seattle folksinger Linda Allen celebrated than I already suspected. the release of a new CD, “Where I Stand,” David A. Depp NWTRCC Gathers with a concert for the general public and Doswell, VA in Seattle conference participants. She was joined by her daughters, friends, and the Labor Chorus paying job to write and speak against first of Seattle for a rousing program. strike weapons, people were inspired because of the personal risk he took. Coordinating In the afternoon we heard from organizers market. Bill Ramsey from St. Louis has head- of specific projects: Ellen Finkelstein talked Committee Report ed a committee that developed a pilot survey about SNOW (Sound Nonviolent Opponents The reason for the weekend gatherings is, of to gauge peace activists knowledge and of War), designed to establish neighborhood course, to conduct NWTRCC business twice a opinions of WTR and the idea for a 1-year groups and inspire more local antiwar action. year also, and we did hold a Coordinating resistance campaign. The final version will Western Washington University student Committee meeting on Sunday morning. be available soon on the NWTRCC website Michael Bieschauval talked about campus The full minutes are also on our website at and by mail, and everyone will be encour- organizing and the untapped energy of young www.nwtrcc.org/may06minutes.htm. aged to circulate it this summer and fall. Jim organizers. The advantages of intentional New members of the Administrative Stockwell will head up a committee on out- communities were presented by Sheldon Committee, which prepares for the meetings reach to intentional communities. Cooper, who lives in an egalitarian social and monitors the organization between Proposals to the meeting included estab- justice commune in Seattle and is also them, were selected from nominations circu- lishing a Traveling Secretary/Field Organizer. involved in a community land trust. Lincoln lated in advance. Lincoln Rice (WI) and The CC did not pass this proposal because of Rice presented examples of WTR organizing, Eszter Freeman (CA) completed their terms a desire to focus resources on the video while Jackie Hudson spoke about Plough- on the AdComm, and we thank them for all effort, but we will look for proposals to set shares actions. Author of The Bush Agenda: their work. Daniel Woodham (NC) and up and advertise a speakers’ bureau at the Invading the World, One Economy at a Time Susan Balzer (KS) continue as Full members; November meeting. An increase to the coor- Antonia Juhasz talked about her research Alice Liu (CA) moves from Alternate to Full dinator’s pay and a small adjustment to our and activism around the corporate connec- member, and Clark Hanjian (MA) is joining personnel policies were approved. Larry tions to war. as a Full member. Our new Alternates are Rosenwald of Wellesley, MA, was selected as Following the panel presentations we tried Pam Allee (OR) and Robert Randall (GA). the NWTRCC representative to the October to “put it all together” in a general discussion Other business included following up on international conference on peace tax funds of actions we have found to be successful projects prioritized at the Strategy and war tax resistance in Germany. and in listing some guidelines for our Conference. Daniel Woodham agreed to Las Vegas was chosen as the site for the ongoing efforts. The list included: combat coordinate a committee to create a new next weekend gathering and Coordinating apathy; build community support; be clear “introduction to wtr” DVD and to put video Committee meeting, to be hosted by Las on why/focus/goal; acknowledge cultures clips on our website. We hope to have a spe- Vegas Catholic Worker. It is likely to be the of fear and learn to work through it; over- cific proposal at our November meeting. A weekend of November 3-5, so mark your come powerlessness; combat ignorance; Youth Review Committee coordinated by calendars and join us then! build relationships; be consistent; use clear Lincoln Rice has been established and will Thanks again to our hosts in Seattle, the phrasing; combine some issues, such as the look at NWTRCC resources with a new eye, Nonviolent Action Community of Cascadia! many reasons to not pay taxes to this illegit- including a draft of a new short-form W-4 Learn about them on the web at imate government. flyer for young employees entering the job http://seanacc.org.▼

More than a paycheck ¥ June 2006 PAGE 3 resources War Tax Res

New Posters! continued from page 1 The San Francisco Print Collective, in Tax Day 2006 conjunction with Northern California War Tax Resistance, has produced a series of and resister Daniel Sicken says, “I think the hand printed silk screen color posters high- most impressive thing to me about the Tax lighting a variety of creative WTR messages Day redirection is how increasingly willing and images. There are six posters, which mainstream nonprofits stand up there with us are selling for $30 for the set, or $10 publicly and accept our donations.” The each for the 2 large posters and $5 each Brattleboro Reformer ran an excellent article for the others which are on lighter paper. about the event on April 17, entitled “Make donations, not war,” with a big photo and an emphasis on the redirection. Chicago, IL On April 17, I did not get to Federal Plaza until around 1 pm, shortly before they began Madison resisters redirected tax dollars to the Inter- taking down the PA system, penny poll, and a faith Hospitality Network among other groups. long banner that dominated the Plaza near the sidewalk along Dearborn Street. I took a cleared up in the late afternoon, and we over- break from leafleting around 5 pm and lapped with Universal Living Wage.) Our continued from 7 to 11 pm with Libertarian midday news conference/event was good. We Party and others including Minutemen/ presented about $4,000 (from 7 resisters) to women expressing their displeasure with CAUSA (immigrant rights), Shelter Care, illegal immigrants, the first time I’ve seen PCUN (farmworkers’ union), a low income such a hard right position at this last-minute teen leadership group, NWTRCC, and a The two larger posters on heavy paper filing expo. I leafleted at the Good Friday counter-recruitment group. And we had are by well-known graphic artist Doug walk sponsored by 8th Day Center, by myself wonderful singers—“Deportees,” “Brother Can on Saturday the 15th at a corner of Adams Minkler.One is pictured here and the other You Spare a Dime,” and more. We all sang and Dearborn, and during the time of the has the Thoreau quote “If a thousand were “Taxes Unending....” in a round. Media did weekly anti-war vigil near the Art Institute. not to pay their taxes...” with an image of a come, and two of us spoke on three different –Joffre Stewart father holding an injured baby.The posters talk shows. We also had an ongoing good on lighter paper for $5 each include:“Who penny poll. However, we were sparse on Eugene, OR workers to cover everything! Pays for War? 49% of Your Taxes At Work” –Peg Morton, with a person mourning a victim (black and We had a good day at the Eugene downtown post office—in the rain and hail. (It Taxes for Peace Not War! white); “Ask not what your government takes from you...but what it is that they do with the money,” with images of weapons and skulls (red, white and blue); Bush holding a sign “Spare change for bombs” with a shopping cart full of weapons (red and black); “War abroad is war on us” with a bomb showing the cost of 3 years in Iraq (black and pink). The $10 posters are approximately 18” x 26”; the others are 17” x 24”, except the last one listed is 11” x 17”. Postage for the full set or multiple orders is $4.05, priority mail; postage for single posters is $2.50. Check the NWTRCC web page for pic- tures of all the posters.You can also order online by paying through Paypal on our donations page and sending an email with your order. Washington, DC Area War Tax Resistance at IRS Headquarters on tax day 2006. Photo by Carol Moore. PAGE 4 More than a paycheck ¥ June 2006 istance Ideas and Actions

noon in front of the federal building, but it went well. By chance a local kids’ cable show was passing by and interviewed some of us. At 12:30 three of us entered the federal building and dropped off letters at Sen. Herb Kohl’s office and the IRS. After talking to the IRS agent, two of us stayed behind and prayed, each our traditional Catholic and Jewish prayers, outside of the IRS office until we were arrested. Unlike in prior years and even though we were on private property, we were arrested by the Department of Homeland Security. I must admit I was a little worried when Homeland Security arrested us (I didn’t know where they would take us). Thankfully they Tax Day at the post office in Asheville, NC. Judy Conrad of Celo, NC, holds the “you don’t gotta” sign while other process people in their office in the building, members of Fools of Conscience/Taxes for Life! take time out from their vigiling to pose for the camera. Photo by and thankfully the charges were just disor- Clare Hanrahan. derly conduct. I thought they might try to hit us with something more serious. They actual- Los Angeles, CA Street Post Office with the theme of “Do you ly treated us better than the Milwaukee police department usually does. Most of them had The Southern California War Tax Alterna- know where your taxes are tonight?” been helping out in New Orleans recently, tive Fund redirected a total of $3,010, which –Lea Zeldin and we talked quite a bit about that because was divided among these five projects and my partner in crime, Aytan, had just gotten groups: AFSC for their “Eyes Wide Open” Milwaukee, WI back from there. exhibit of shoes representing Iraq war deaths; Even with good publicity in the local –Lincoln Rice, Truth 2 Youth: a project on Hawaii for high weekly Shepherd Express, we only had six Casa Maria Catholic Worker school students with information military people show up to hold signs and flyer at continued on page 7 recruiters leave out; Woolman Semester at Sierra Friends Center, a peace curriculum summer school for youth; Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace; and People of Faith Against the Death Penalty. Pioneer Valley WTR “Stop Shopping –I feel the stop starting stop shopping –I feel the stop starting Madison, WI stop shopping–I feel the stop starting” On Tax Day, April 17, members of Madison Area War Tax Resisters (formerly Southern hanting in syncopated time, 30 mem- tened Woolman Hill—the home of Juanita Wisconsin Alternative Tax Fund) distributed C bers of the Church of Stop Shopping Nelson, Traprock Peace Center, and the our refused federal tax dollars in a public processed down the aisle of the Quaker Conference Center—as a “Place- event. Over $3,700 was distributed equally Greenfield Unitarian Church beginning a alujah.” The spring weather, opening daf- among four organizations: American Friends joyful two hour service featuring Rev. Billy. fodils, and place of peace all joined to give Service Committee, Iraqi relief program; The faithful in the pews erupted in clapping refuge to the New York weary choir for the Family Farm Defenders, providing aid to and singing as the choir and musicians shared weekend of April 7–9. small farmers devastated by Hurricane their original hymns in praise of buying Rev. Billy and the choir graced the area with Katrina; Interfaith Hospitality Network, local—if you have to buy at all. Their admo- services in Brattleboro, Vermont, Amherst and housing for the homeless; Community nition to consumers tempted to buy at Big Box Greenfield, Massachusetts. Their performanc- Action Commission, supplying 40 local food Store: “Back Away, Back Away.” es gave comfort and joy to activists working to pantries. If anyone would like to contact Rev. Billy exorcised credit cards and encour- close the Vernon nuclear power plant, stop us, our address is Madison Area War Tax aged us to slow down, get to know the local Wal-Mart, stop the war, and the erosion of Resisters, PO Box 3010, Madison, WI 53704. producers and prevent a shopocalypse. We women’s rights, and they brought in a whole –Jerry Chernow were truly elevated into a new world of bliss. new audience to our war tax resistance litera- The Pioneer Valley War Tax Resisters host- ture table right before tax day. We are all The Madison Branch of the Women’s ed the Church of Stop Shopping and Rev. looking forward to a second coming of this International League for Peace and Freedom Billy at the Woolman Hill Conference Center miraculous group. Their spirit is unstoppable. leafleted taxpayers on April 17 at the Struck in Deerfield, Massachusetts. Rev. Billy chris- –Judy Scheckel

More than a paycheck ¥ June 2006 PAGE 5 nwtrcc news Ways we Resist War NWTRCC Gathers in Seattle esisters of all stripes gathered at the “We’ve got to act,” Bourgeois said. “It RUniversity Friends Meeting in Seattle is with this work, becoming activists, that e over the weekend of May 5-7. About 20 we hold onto our hope,” adding one of the NWTRCC folks came from around the coun- most important things we can do is not pay try and mingled with another 50 or so our taxes. activists from Washington and across the bor- der in Canada to share information about Resistance: From their style of resisting war and overcoming the desks to streets resistance and fear we meet as we organize. Saturday’s panels presented an array of Fr. Roy Bourgeois spoke on Friday night. activists. The morning panel and small group He talked movingly of his political awaken- discussions focused on “Resistance to resisting in Vietnam after he had joined the Navy ance / Fears we face,” and included activists Fr. Roy Bourgeois, David Waters (AL), and Peg as a patriotic young man. “We are simply not Morton (OR) were last together at a Ft. Benning vigil. whose paychecks come from the govern- Photo by Ruth Benn. made for war. We cannot go about killing ment, an antinuclear organizer, a counter- and come home and clear our conscience.” recruitment organizer, a war tax resister, and Daniel Woodham spoke about war tax Once out of the military and seeking a member of Veterans for Peace. Each renewed hope, he entered the Maryknoll resistance and noted that we need to empha- described how they organize, the obstacles size the positive consequences more. “People Seminary and spent a year in Bolivia “where they face, and overcoming their own fears or they introduced to me my country’s foreign are excited about WTR when they hear those of the people they approach. Sharon about it. It opens a door in their mind.” policy.” Bourgeois’ Latin America experi- Hall, who works in veterans’ hospitals, talked ences, including the tremendous fear he felt Glenn Milner spoke about his anti-nuclear about the constrictions as a government organizing with Ground Zero, and the in El Salvador in the 1980s, led him to even- worker, but also the opportunity she has to tually learn about the School of the Americas research work that he does to keep up with help people who have to deal with the fact what the government is doing. He also and to take action there. Thus began School that they “gave something of themselves for a of the Americas Watch (SOAW) in 1990. reminded us that the simplest actions have cause which was all false.” A big challenge is an effect when he said that he started his war SOAW has seen success in the growth of how to deal with “the attachment a lot of its annual actions, from a handful of activists tax resistance after someone in a march people have to the discipline, honor, patriot- handed him a card about WTR. Regarding to the 19,000 who turned up in 2005. The ism of the military. We still love war. It’s a weekend vigil and direct action take place in direct action, he said that when people learn deep part of our subconscious,” she said. about it they are interested, but oftentimes November near the anniversary of the killing Jelani Jackson, who works with AFSC on in El Salvador of the six Jesuit priests, their they need to be inspired too. When Trident counter-recruitment in a Seattle high school missile worker Bob Aldridge quit his well co-worker and her teenage daughter. said, “The military is really not the hot topic continued on page 3 SOAW’s new effort is to persuade Latin for youth. It’s music or other things. You American governments to pull their soldiers have to approach it a different way. You need out of the school, and Bourgeois was excited to start a personal relationship. You have to to report that Venezuela, Argentina, and learn their names—even if it’s 100 people. Fundraising Volunteer Uruguay have recently agreed to no longer There are youth that want to get involved, Needed! participate in the program. and they need to hear what is out there.” NWTRCC has a special position, Fund- raising Clerk, to help the coordinator develop a fundraising plan and work on specific tasks (or find volunteers to do so). The position includes paid travel to the twice a year meetings and reim- bursement for phone and mail expenses. Thanks go out to Jim Stockwell from North Carolina, who served as Clerk during the last couple years and is stepping down from the position. Please contact Ruth Benn at the NWTRCC office if you are interested in learning Saturday morning panelists (l to r): Erica Kay (moderator and conference organizer supreme!), Glenn Milner, more about this much-needed assistant. Sharon Hall, Bianca Plank, Tom Brookhart, Daniel Woodham, and Jelani Jackson. Photo by Ruth Benn. PAGE 6 More than a paycheck ¥ June 2006 2006 Tax day actions continued from page 5

Tax Day 2006 $$$ for Peace! In addition to that individual resistance, About 70 people returned the Peace Tax looking through the tax day reports there’s Oakland, CA Return stub to the NWTRCC office, half another $44,710 from public redirections Northern California People’s Life Fund of whom resisted paying a total of $23,307 in seven cities: pooled funds of Brattleboro held a Granting Ceremony and Potluck, to the IRS. Many also reported that they resisters, St. Louis Covenant Community donating over $8,000 in resisted taxes to sent letters to elected officials. The majority of War Tax Resisters, Oregon Community groups working for peace, justice and of Peace Tax Return users are new to for War Tax Resistance (Portland), human needs. They followed the ceremony NWTRCC, and that page has been a popu- Madison Area War Tax Resisters, Northern with an outdoor anti-war slide show and lar one on NWTRCC’s website, running California People’s Life Fund, Taxes for leafleting at the West Oakland Post Office, third just behind the homepage and Peace Not War! (Eugene), and Southern greeting the bumper-to-bumper procession “Practical 1” in March, with over 500 visits California War Tax Alternative Fund of last minute tax filers with powerful anti- per month in February, March, and April. (Los Angeles). war images and flyers about how federal taxes are used for war. Portland, Oregon tours and dialogue between Iraqi and U.S. was in the St. Petersburg Times on Saturday, women; Health and Environmental Justice, April 15, describing my tax resistance. On April 14, members and friends of the working to prevent lead poisoning in St. –Ruth Hyde Paine Oregon Community for War Tax Resistance Louis; La Clinica, Latin Community Health displayed “burma shave” message boards to Centers; St. Louis Peace and Justice Shares, a Waukesha, WI rush hour traffic on the Hawthorne and collaborative supporting the work of seven Morrison St. bridges (morning) and on SW On Saturday morning, April 15, my par- local peace and justice organizations; The ents, Ruth and Glenn Van Haitsma, along Broadway at Pioneer Courthouse Square World Community Center, providing office (evening), raising issues of runaway military with a friend of theirs, conducted a penny space to local organizations working for jus- poll outside the public library. Even in a spending and a corrupt federal budget. tice and peace; and Union of Health Workers At the regular 5 pm rally at the Square, fairly conservative community, the poll was Committee in Gaza, operating the largest well-received. About 82 participants were OCWTR hosted a public redirection of hospital in Gaza and several clinics through- income tax dollars withheld from the federal each given 25 pennies to distribute among out the Occupied West Bank. 6 jars and handed copies of the bar graph government by local war tax resisters. Just –Bill Ramsey over $14,000 was redirected to local and flyer produced by the Friends Committee on National Legislation. The results of the international service organizations selected St. Petersburg, FL for their worthy contributions toward a Waukesha poll echoed results of most penny peaceful and just community. Also on April Two of us spent four hours at the local post polls: people want their tax money to pay for 17, a penny poll was conducted at the office passing out the pie chart flyer to about education and health care above all. Military main post office in NW Portland and flyers 300 people. My gardenia bush had conve- spending received only 10% of the pennies were distributed. niently put out many blossoms, so I also gave cast, even considering that a couple of –John Grueschow, the first 60 people who wanted them a disgruntled voters put all their pennies into Portland Chapter, War Resisters League gardenia—somehow it sweetens the message. the military jar, while the education jar was The response was good, and we had no nearly overflowing. Participants included St. Louis, MO encounter with any postal employees. At the children and teenagers, and my mother annual gathering of Friends in Florida I talked recalled two young boys saying, “This would St. Louis Covenant Community of War up the pie chart flyer, and people took 350 or be so cool to do in school.” My mother also Tax Resisters made grants to local and inter- so to their home meetings. In addition, I reported that “most people were thoughtful national projects at their April 23 “Justice, found that a letter to the editor I had written about it—some took a long time to decide.” Not War” vigil. Members of the group, –Susan Van Haitsma ▼ including a career retired U.S. Army Officer featured in the Christian Scientist Monitor (April 15) and on Fox News, redirected over $7,000 to agencies serving the needs of poor people, immigrants, and those seeking to protect human rights, provide health care, and resolve conflicts. Recipients of the grants were African Great Lakes Initiative of the Friends Peace Teams, providing Alternatives to Violence training workshops to people in Rwanda; Amnesty International; Friends Peace Teams in Colombia; Global Exchange, sponsoring Portland, OR. Photo by Tana Hastings. More than a paycheck ¥ June 2006 PAGE 7 perspectives

Two Thousand At Working Assets Long Distance, when you and Six: Tax Return refuse to pay the telephone tax, they send you a piece of paper with your bill, which states that they are reminding subscribers of their responsi- This year is turning around! bility to pay the telephone tax, and that it is a The days are lengthening, violation of the law not to pay it. Then at the bot- (like the lists of the dead in Iraq.) tom of the same piece of paper, they have a form in which you write why you are not paying it. But, in the districts of the governed In lieu of filling out the form, this month I There is searching of heart. wrote “See attached poem”; and enclosed the following poem. I also read this poem at the To consent, to remain hidden Delaware County, PA, Peace Festival. Under the shadow of authorities? Dear Sirs, enclosed is my long distance bill From which I have deducted $1.24. Or, to step across that line of obedience A part of my contribution to the war That is tightening around our feet like I left it out because I do not wish to fund a snare? Weapons of mass destruction, Bombs, tanks, guns Yes, to step over, into the warm light While soldiers are slaughtered, of our ancestors’ best intentions? wounded, maimed On April 17, members of the Louisville (KY) Fellow- Using my money, allegedly in my name. ship of Reconciliation handed out the pie chart flyer at However both me and my spouse the four corners of Fifth and Market while employees The spring light that is shining of the large banking center headed to lunch. Wearing from the Declaration, the Constitution, Wish to retain title to our house Uncle Sam regalia they attracted lots of passers by to and the Charter But though we pay our income tax, it’s true their penny poll. Photo by Jean Edwards. Reflecting from Nuremberg and Tokyo This is something else that I can do And though I hope NSA won’t put me Correction God showed up in person: on their list The Annual Report, which was enclosed A person we could see and hear and touch. Of phone subscribers who are terrorists. in our May mailing, inaccurately listed one I’m still withholding $1.24 event. In the last paragraph of the Publicity We could finally do to God from my contribution to the war & Outreach section, the Wage Peace event what we had been doing to one another. and that is why I left it off my bill was in Jacksonville, FL. The Atlanta event Because I know my money kills was sponsored by the April 1st Coalition. Could finally smack him down, subject his –Laurie Pollack country to an empire Could arrest him, silence him, torture and crucify him. NWTRCC P.O. Box 150553 To this day we make him unequal in every Brooklyn, NY 11215 alien land (800) 269-7464 We burn him, bomb him, scourge him (718) 768-3420 with war.

— I burned your money.

I sign with the ashes.

What will you do Please Note: with me? If there is a red circle around your address Steal my money? label, this is the last Take my stuff? issue of More Than a Put me in a cage? Paycheck on your subscription. Send in a renewal ASAP! Why not Return with me?

–Todd Saddler