Background papers [numbers 1 and 8 missing]

Background papers synopses by Ed Hedemann

Number 2 Disarmament: Argues for unilateral disarmament coupled with a nonviolent civilian defense. Rather than weakening our defenses, disarmament strengthens our security compared to the inherent dangers presented by nuclear weapons. Most other military hardware is useful only against non-nuclear countries, who are not threat to our security.

Number 3 Jobs/Inflation: Money spend on war and the military creates far fewer jobs than money spent in the civilian sector. Also, military spending produces nothing useful, thus promoting inflation, not to mention the catastrophic danger if weapons were actually to be used.

Number 4 Health Care: Analyzes U.S. health care system and notes that despite gargantuan spending on the military, the U.S. is the only major industrialized country without national health insurance or comprehensive health care. "Health care in America costs too much, is too hard to get, and is often ineffective, inappropriate, or even harmful when you can get it."

Number 5 Universal and Unconditional Amnesty: Makes the case for granting amnesty to all Vietnam war veterans who received less than honorable discharges as well as all civilian war resisters.

Number 6 Sexual Justice: Explores the connections between sexism and militarism, noting that war is the ultimate expression of machismo and the desire to dominate. This same psychology is responsible for the oppression of women [and other marginalized groups].

Number 7 Racial Justice: America's priorities favor the military ventures into other countries rather than meeting human needs at home. Minority groups are hardest hit by inflation and unemployment thus forced to "volunteer" for the white man's army. The core of American militarism and imperialism is both racism and sexism. "The bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki stand as the most violent concentrated acts of racism in human history."