The War Resisters League (WRL) is the oldest secular pacifist organization in the United States, having been founded in 1923.
122-619: Founded in 1923 by men and women who had opposed World War I , it is a section of the London-based War Resisters' International . It continues to be one of the leading radical voices in the anti-war movement. Many of the organization's founders had been jailed during World War I for refusing military service . From the Fellowship of Reconciliation many Jews , suffragists , socialists , and anarchists separated to form this more secular organization. Although
244-411: A July 2010 publication: However, since mid- to late-2010, the U.S. Treasury has been obtaining negative real interest rates at Treasury security auctions. At such low rates, government debt borrowing saves taxpayer money according to one economist. There is no guarantee that such rates will continue, but the trend has remained falling or flat as of October 2012. Fears of a fiscal crisis triggered by
366-719: A backlash. This reaction was based particularly on the fact that, in a "dual policy", Lloyd George controversially linked implementation of the Government of Ireland Act 1914 or a new Home Rule Bill (as previously recommended in March by the Irish Convention ) with enactment of the Military Service Bill. This had the effect of alienating both nationalists and unionists in Ireland. In New Zealand,
488-415: A change in total debt outstanding of $ 1,086 billion. The total federal debt is divided into "debt held by the public" and "intra-governmental debt." The debt held by the public refers to U.S. government securities or other obligations held by investors (e.g., bonds, bills, and notes), while Social Security and other federal trust funds are part of the intra-governmental debt. As of September 30, 2012,
610-474: A federal budget deficit of $ 1.6 trillion for 2024. In the agency’s projections, deficits generally increase over the coming years; the shortfall in 2034 is $ 2.6 trillion. The deficit amounts to 5.6 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2024, swells to 6.1 percent of GDP in 2025, and then declines in the two years that follow. After 2027, deficits increase again, reaching 6.1 percent of GDP in 2034. The following table summarizes several budgetary statistics for
732-424: A major effort of antiwar leaders traveling to Europe in 1915 to talk to diplomats in major countries about the need for prosperity and peace. Ford chartered an ocean liner and invited prominent peace activists to join him. He hoped to create enough publicity to prompt the belligerent nations to convene a peace conference and mediate an end to the war, but the mission was widely mocked by the press, which referred to
854-440: A military facility. Vigilante groups were formed which suppressed dissent as well, such as by rounding up draft-age men and checking if they were in possession of draft cards or not. Ben Salmon was a Catholic conscientious objector and outspoken critic of Just War theology. During World War I, America's Roman Catholic hierarchy denounced him and The New York Times described him as a "spy suspect." The US military (in which he
976-607: A number of unofficial strikes. Arthur Henderson resigned from the Cabinet in 1917 amid calls for party unity to be replaced by George Barnes . Overall, the majority of the movement continued to support the war for the duration of the conflict, and the British Labour Party, unlike most of its equivalents on the Continent, did not split over the war. In the shipyards in and around Glasgow , Scotland, opposition to
1098-695: A person or organization whose work represents the League's radical nonviolent program of action. The Covid-19 pandemic curtailed the peace award ceremonies. The War Resisters League annually publishes a pie chart showing how much of the U.S. federal budget actually covers current and past military expenses , listing the total as 37% based on the FY2023 proposed federal budget: Using the larger total spending that includes trust funds, official government figures produce smaller percentages for military spending: Opposed World War I Opposition to World War I
1220-485: A range of 35–40% of U.S. households owing no federal income tax. The recession and tax cut stimulus measures increased this to 51% for 2009, versus 38% in 2007. In 2011 it was found that 46% of households paid no federal income tax, however the top 1% contributed about 25% of total taxes collected. In 2014, the top 1% paid approximately 46% of the federal income taxes, excluding payroll taxes. The federal payroll tax ( FICA ) partially funds Social Security and Medicare. For
1342-730: A reception on October 18, 2023, followed by "The Art of War Resistance" panel discussion on October 25, 2023, at its SoHo gallery in New York City. Among other centennial projects, a weekly blog highlighting specific events and publications in WRL's history began posting in January 2023 and continues through 2024. The War Resisters League actively organized against the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and continues to protest what it perceives as U.S. militarism and commitment to endless war, as well as
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#17327725211061464-671: A religious emissary of peace ignored by the belligerent powers. The 1915 Treaty of London between Italy and the Triple Entente included secret provisions whereby the Allies agreed with Italy to ignore papal peace moves towards the Central Powers. Consequently, the publication of Benedict's proposed seven-point Peace Note of August 1917 was roundly ignored by all parties except Austria-Hungary. Many socialist groups and movements were antimilitarist , arguing that war by its nature
1586-431: A right to, regardless if any money is appropriated), where estimating the amount of funds to be spent is difficult. Authorization bills are also useful when giving a federal agency the right to borrow money, sign contracts, or provide loan guarantees . In 2007, two-thirds of all federal spending came through authorization bills. A "backdoor authorization" occurs when an appropriation is made and an agency required to spend
1708-505: A significant selloff of U.S. Treasury securities by foreign owners such as China and Japan did not materialize, even in the face of significant sales of those securities during 2015, as demand for U.S. securities remained robust. Economist Martin Wolf explained in July 2012 that government fiscal balance is one of three major financial sectoral balances in the U.S. economy, the others being
1830-581: A strong international organization that could enforce the peaceful resolution of conflict. Later that year the League to Enforce Peace was established in America to promote similar goals. Hamilton Holt published an editorial in his New York City weekly magazine the Independent called "The Way to Disarm: A Practical Proposal" on 28 September 1914. It called for an international organization to agree upon
1952-462: A supporter of unusual causes. Leaders of most religious groups (except the Episcopalians ) were pacifists, as were leaders of the women's movement. A concerted effort was made by anti-war leaders, including Jane Addams , Oswald Garrison Villard , David Starr Jordan , Henry Ford , Lillian Wald , and Carrie Chapman Catt . Their goal was to convince President Wilson to mediate an end of
2074-454: A total interest expense of $ 432 billion. GAO reported that even though the national debt rose in FY2012, the interest rate paid declined. Should interest rates rise to historical averages, the interest cost would increase dramatically. As of January 2012, public debt owned by foreigners has increased to approximately 50% of the total or approximately $ 5.0 trillion . As a result, nearly 50% of
2196-616: A vengeful peace would encourage international opposition to the war. In September 1917, Russian soldiers in France began questioning why they were fighting for the French at all and mutinied. The Central Asian revolt started in the summer of 1916, when the Russian Empire government ended its exemption of Muslims from military service. Industrialist Henry Ford believed that capitalism could conquer war so he organized and funded
2318-600: A weekend of rioting in Quebec City between 28 March and 1 April 1918. Invoking the War Measures Act of 1914, the federal government sent troops to restore order in the city, which opened fire on a demonstration on 1 April. Although large numbers of Irishmen had willingly joined Irish regiments and divisions of the New Army at the outbreak of war in 1914, the likelihood of enforced conscription created
2440-463: Is composed of 17 sections, each of which has one or more tables. Each section covers a common theme. Section 1, for example, provides an overview of the budget and off-budget totals; Section 2 provides tables on receipts by source; and Section 3 shows outlays by function . When a section contains several tables, the general rule is to start with tables showing the broadest overview data and then work down to more detailed tables. The purpose of these tables
2562-673: Is not capped. Starting in 2013, an additional 0.9 percent more in Medicare taxes was applied to income of more than $ 200,000 ($ 250,000 for married couples filing jointly), making it a progressive tax overall. For calendar years 2011 and 2012, the employee's portion of the payroll tax was reduced to 4.2% as an economic stimulus measure; this expired for 2013. Approximately 65% percent of tax return filers pay more in payroll taxes than income taxes. The term "tax expenditures" refers to income exclusions, deductions, preferential rates, and credits that reduce revenues for any given level of tax rates in
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#17327725211062684-486: Is not part of any entitlement program. Mandatory spending accounted for 59.8% of total federal outlays (net of receipts that partially pay for the programs), with net interest payments accounting for an additional 6.5%. In 2000, these were 53.2% and 12.5%, respectively. Mandatory spending is expected to continue increasing as a share of GDP. This is due in part to demographic trends, as the number of workers continues declining relative to those receiving benefits. For example,
2806-427: Is projected to rise from 99 percent of GDP in 2024 to 116 percent in 2034 and would continue to grow if current laws generally remained unchanged. Over that period, the growth of interest costs and mandatory spending outpaces the growth of revenues and the economy, driving up debt. Those factors persist beyond 2034, pushing federal debt higher still, to 172 percent of GDP in 2054. The budget document often begins with
2928-505: Is released annually. The 2018 Outlook included projections for debt through 2048 and beyond. CBO outlined several scenarios that result in a range of outcomes. The "Extended Baseline" scenario and "Extended Alternative Fiscal" scenario both result in a much higher level of debt relative to the size of the economy (GDP) as the country ages and healthcare costs rise faster than the rate of economic growth. CBO also identified scenarios involving significant austerity measures, which maintain or reduce
3050-427: Is specified for several coming fiscal years. In the congressional budgeting process, an "authorization" (technically the " authorization act ") provides the legal authority for the executive branch to act, establishes an account which can receive money to implement the action, and sets a limit on how much money may be expended. However, this account remains empty until Congress approves an "appropriation", which requires
3172-455: Is the financial representation of the priorities of the government, reflecting historical debates and competing economic philosophies. The government primarily spends on healthcare, retirement, and defense programs. The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office provides extensive analysis of the budget and its economic effects. CBO estimated in February 2024 that Federal debt held by the public
3294-634: Is then sent to the President, who may either sign it into law or veto it. A vetoed bill is sent back to Congress, which can pass it into law with a two-thirds majority in each legislative chamber. Congress may also combine all or some appropriations bills into one omnibus reconciliation bill . In addition, the president may request and the Congress may pass supplemental appropriations bills or emergency supplemental appropriations bills. Several government agencies provide budget data and analysis. These include
3416-473: Is to present a broad range of historical budgetary data in one convenient reference source and to provide relevant comparisons likely to be most useful. The most common comparisons are in terms of proportions (e.g., each major receipt category as a percentage of total receipts and of the gross domestic product). The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projects budget data such as revenues, expenses, deficits, and debt as part of its "Long-term Budget Outlook" which
3538-463: The 2000 Census of Population and Housing . Special appropriations have been used to fund most of the costs of war and occupation in Iraq and Afghanistan so far. Budget resolutions and appropriations bills, which reflect spending priorities of Congress, will usually differ from funding levels in the president's budget. The president, however, retains substantial influence over the budget process through veto power and through congressional allies when
3660-601: The Fellowship of Reconciliation , the Socialist Party , and the Student Peace Union ) to organize coordinated nationwide protests against the Vietnam War on December 19, 1964. The organization's opposition to nuclear weapons was extended to include nuclear power in the 1970s and 1980s. The WRL has also been active in feminist and anti- racist causes and works with other organizations to reduce
3782-700: The Government Accountability Office (GAO), the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the U.S. Treasury Department . The CBO publishes The Budget and Economic Outlook in January, which covers a ten-year window and is typically updated in August. It also publishes a Long-Term Budget Outlook in July and a Monthly Budget Review . The OMB, which is responsible for organizing
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3904-499: The Government Accountability Office (GAO), the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and the Treasury Department . These agencies have reported that the federal government is facing many important long-run financing challenges, primarily driven by an aging population, rising interest payments, and spending for healthcare programs like Medicare and Medicaid . During FY2022,
4026-651: The Italian Socialist Party , and the socialist faction led by Karl Liebknecht and Rosa Luxemburg in Germany (later to become the Communist Party of Germany ). In Sweden, the socialist youth leader Zeth Höglund was jailed for his anti-war propaganda, even though Sweden did not participate in the war. Women across the spectrum were much less supportive of the war than men. Women in church groups were especially anti-war. However, women in
4148-599: The October Revolution of 1917, Lenin 's Bolsheviks called for unilateral armistice, but the other combatants refused, determined to fight until the bitter end. The Bolsheviks agreed a peace treaty with Imperial Germany , the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk , despite its harsh conditions. They also published the secret treaties between Russia and the Western Allies , hoping that the revelation of Allied plans for
4270-507: The President 's proposal to Congress recommending funding levels for the next fiscal year , beginning October 1 and ending on September 30 of the year following. The fiscal year refers to the year in which it ends. However, Congress is the body required by law to pass appropriations annually and to submit funding bills passed by both houses to the President for signature. Congressional decisions are governed by rules and legislation regarding
4392-541: The Public Schools Officers' Training Corps annual camp was held at Tidworth Pennings, near Salisbury Plain . Head of the British Army, Lord Kitchener , was to review the cadets , but the imminence of the war prevented him. General Horace Smith-Dorrien was sent instead. He surprised the two-or-three thousand cadets by declaring (in the words of Donald Christopher Smith, a Bermudian cadet who
4514-874: The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act . Other revenue types included excise, estate and gift taxes. FY 2018 revenues were 16.4% of gross domestic product (GDP), versus 17.2% in FY 2017. Tax revenues averaged approximately 17.4% GDP over the 1980-2017 period. During FY2017, the federal government collected approximately $ 3.32 trillion in tax revenue, up $ 48 billion or 1.5% versus FY2016. Primary receipt categories included individual income taxes ($ 1,587B or 48% of total receipts), Social Security/Social Insurance taxes ($ 1,162B or 35%), and corporate taxes ($ 297B or 9%). Other revenue types included excise, estate and gift taxes. FY 2017 revenues were 17.3% of gross domestic product (GDP), versus 17.7% in FY 2016. Tax revenues averaged approximately 17.4% GDP over
4636-466: The federal budget process . Budget committees set spending limits for the House and Senate committees and for Appropriations subcommittees, which then approve individual appropriations bills to allocate funding to various federal programs. If Congress fails to pass an annual budget, then several appropriations bills must be passed as "stop gap" measures. After Congress approves an appropriations bill, it
4758-594: The "workers have no Fatherland" as "vain and obscure subtleties" and a "sarcastic negation of history itself." After the repeal of the anti-socialist law in 1890 the SPD steadily gained support in the lower house of the Imperial German Parliament, the Reichstag. By 1914 it was the largest party in the Reichstag. Prior to 1914, the SPD had consistently voted against all imperial military spending under
4880-581: The 1960s, WRL was the first pacifist organization to call for an end to the Vietnam War . WRL also organized the first demonstration against the war with a September 21, 1963 vigil at the U.S. Mission to the UN, followed by an October 9, 1963 picket of Madame Ngo Dinh Nhu speaking at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City . WRL was among the primary groups (along with Committee for Nonviolent Action ,
5002-432: The 1980-2017 period. Tax revenues are significantly affected by the economy. Recessions typically reduce government tax collections as economic activity slows. For example, tax revenues declined from $ 2.5 trillion in 2008 to $ 2.1 trillion in 2009, and remained at that level in 2010. From 2008 to 2009, individual income taxes declined 20%, while corporate taxes declined 50%. At 14.6% of GDP, the 2009 and 2010 collections were
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5124-451: The 21st century. Unless these long-term fiscal imbalances are addressed by reforms to these programs, raising taxes or drastic cuts in discretionary programs, the federal government will at some point be unable to pay its obligations without significant risk to the value of the dollar (inflation). By one estimate, 70% of the growth in these entitlement expenses over the 2016-2046 period is due to healthcare. CBO reported that net interest on
5246-687: The 50-year average. During FY2017, the federal government spent $ 3.98 trillion, up $ 128 billion or 3.3% vs. FY2016 spending of $ 3.85 trillion. Major categories of FY 2017 spending included: Healthcare such as Medicare and Medicaid ($ 1,077B or 27% of spending), Social Security ($ 939B or 24%), non-defense discretionary spending used to run federal Departments and Agencies ($ 610B or 15%), Defense Department ($ 590B or 15%), and interest ($ 263B or 7%). Expenditures are classified as "mandatory", with payments required by specific laws to those meeting eligibility criteria (e.g., Social Security and Medicare), or "discretionary", with payment amounts renewed annually as part of
5368-520: The CGT, especially after the assassination of the pacificist Jean Jaurès , organized mass rallies and protests until the outbreak of war, but once the war began they argued that in wartime socialists should support their nations against the aggression of other nations and also voted for war credits. Groups opposed to the war included the Russian Bolsheviks , the Socialist Party of America ,
5490-724: The Catholic Archbishop of Melbourne Daniel Mannix , the Queensland Labor Premier Thomas Ryan , Vida Goldstein and the Women's Peace Army . Most labor unions actively opposed conscription. Many Australians thought positively of conscription as a sign of loyalty to Britain and thought that it would also support those men who were already fighting. However, trade unions feared that their members might be replaced by cheaper foreign or female labour and opposed conscription. Some groups argued that
5612-619: The Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990, are calculated on a net present value basis. Federal agencies cannot spend money unless funds are authorized and appropriated. Typically, separate Congressional committees have jurisdiction over authorization and appropriations. The House and Senate Appropriations Committees currently have 12 subcommittees, which are responsible for drafting the 12 regular appropriations bills that determine amounts of discretionary spending for various federal programs. Appropriations bills must pass both
5734-452: The French and German proletariat to murder one another on behalf of the capitalists and for their benefit without Social Democracy attempting to exert the greatest effort to stop it? If we were not to make the attempt, we would all be dishonored. However, these statements were in tension with others. Bebel, for example, was determined "never to abandon a single piece of German soil to the foreigner." Jaurès criticized Marx and Engels' maxim that
5856-727: The House and Senate and then be signed by the president in order to give federal agencies the legal budget authority to spend. In many recent years, regular appropriations bills have been combined into " omnibus " bills. Congress may also pass "special" or "emergency" appropriations. Spending that is deemed an "emergency" is exempt from certain Congressional budget enforcement rules. Funds for disaster relief have sometimes come from supplemental appropriations, such as after Hurricane Katrina . In other cases, funds included in emergency supplemental appropriations bills support activities not obviously related to actual emergencies, such as parts of
5978-525: The Nobel Prize, more than half a dozen future members of Parliament, one future cabinet minister, and a former newspaper editor who was publishing a clandestine journal for his fellow inmates." One of them was Bertrand Russell - a mathematician, philosopher and social critic engaged in pacifist activities, who was dismissed from Trinity College, Cambridge , following his conviction under the Defence of
6100-551: The President's budget presented in February, typically issues a budget update in July. The GAO and the Treasury issue Financial Statements of the U.S. Government , usually in the December following the close of the federal fiscal year, which occurs September 30. There is a corresponding Citizen's Guide , a short summary. The Treasury Department also produces a Combined Statement of Receipts, Outlays, and Balances each December for
6222-834: The Realm Act in 1916. A later conviction resulted in six months' of imprisonment in Brixton Prison from which he was released in September 1918. Despite the mainstream Labour Party's support for the war effort, the Independent Labour Party was instrumental in opposing conscription through organizations such as the Non-Conscription Fellowship, while a Labour Party affiliate, the British Socialist Party , organized
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#17327725211066344-490: The Second International repeatedly declared its opposition to war and that "[the working class shall] do all they can to prevent the outbreak of war" The exact means of combating the outbreak of war was a matter of conflict within the Second International. On the far-left the radical French pacifist Gustave Hervé promoted building anti-government militias and instigating mutinies in the army. The center of
6466-469: The Social Security portion, employers and employees each pay 6.2% of the workers gross pay, a total of 12.4%. The Social Security portion is capped at $ 118,500 for 2015, meaning income above this amount is not subject to the tax. It is a flat tax up to the cap, but regressive overall as it is not applied to higher incomes. The Medicare portion is also paid by employer and employee each at 1.45% and
6588-595: The Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law; and a regular Statement and Account of Receipts and Expenditures of all public Money shall be published from time to time." Each year, the President of the United States submits a budget request to Congress for the following fiscal year as required by the Budget and Accounting Act of 1921 . Current law ( 31 U.S.C. § 1105 (a)) requires
6710-494: The Tsarist secret police , or Okhrana . On 28 October, Bulgakov was arrested together with 27 signatories of the appeal. In November and December 1915, most defendants were released from custody on bail. A trial took place on 1 April 1916 and the defendants were acquitted. As Russia's involvement in the war continued anyway, soldiers began to establish their own revolutionary tribunals and began to execute officers en masse. After
6832-473: The U.S. Treasury to provide funds (up to the limit provided for in the authorization). Congress is not required to appropriate as much money as is authorized. Congress may both authorize and appropriate in the same bill. Known as " authorization bills ", such legislation usually provides for a multi-year authorization and appropriation. Authorization bills are particularly useful when funding entitlement programs (benefits which federal law says an individual has
6954-455: The U.S., and Congress declared war on 6 April. Conscription was introduced shortly thereafter, which the anti-war movement bitterly opposed. Many socialists, typified by Walter Lippmann , became enthusiastic supporters of the war. So too did Samuel Gompers and the great majority of organized labor unions. However, the IWW —"Wobblies"—gained strength by opposing the war. The Espionage Act of 1917
7076-519: The United States publicly denounced participation, the obvious motive for the 1916 Preparedness Day Bombing stemming from this. When Woodrow Wilson ran for reelection in 1916 on the slogan "He Kept Us Out of War", he received support from these groups (although the Socialist Party of America ran its own candidate, Allan Benson ). After Wilson was reelected, though, events quickly spiraled into war. The Zimmermann Telegram and resumption of unrestricted submarine warfare by Germany provoked outrage in
7198-556: The WRL was opposed to US participation in World War II , it did not protest against it; the WRL complied with the Espionage Act , ceased public protests, and did not solicit new members during this period. During World War II, many members were labeled conscientious objectors. In the 1950s, WRL members worked in the civil rights movement and organized protests against nuclear weapons testing and civil defense drills. In
7320-492: The appropriation requires amending federal law, which is often politically impossible to do within a short period of time. Backdoor authorizations and appropriations are sources of significant friction in Congress. Authorization and appropriations committees jealously guard their legislative rights, and the congressional budgeting process can break down when committees overstep their boundaries and are retaliated against. Several government agencies provide budget data. These include
7442-480: The arbitration of disputes and to guarantee the territorial integrity of its members by maintaining military forces sufficient to defeat those of any non-member. The ensuing debate among prominent internationalists modified Holt's plan to align it more closely with proposals offered in Great Britain by Viscount James Bryce , a former ambassador from Britain to the U.S. These and other initiatives were pivotal in
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#17327725211067564-477: The budget process which are not captured in the deficit computation, which also add to the national debt. Prior to 2009, spending for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan was often funded through special appropriations excluded from the budget deficit calculation. In FY2010 and prior, the budget deficit and annual change in the national debt were significantly different. For example, the U.S. added $ 1 trillion to
7686-795: The budget process. Around two thirds of federal spending is for "mandatory" programs. CBO projects that mandatory program spending and interest costs will rise relative to GDP over the 2016–2026 period, while defense and other discretionary spending will decline relative to GDP. Social Security , Medicare , and Medicaid expenditures are funded by more permanent Congressional appropriations and so are considered mandatory spending . Social Security and Medicare are sometimes called "entitlements", because people meeting relevant eligibility requirements are legally entitled to benefits; most pay taxes into these programs throughout their working lives. Some programs, such as Food Stamps , are appropriated entitlements. Some mandatory spending, such as Congressional salaries,
7808-478: The change in attitudes that gave birth to the League of Nations after the war. Christian pacifists and the traditional peace churches such as the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) opposed the war. Most American Pentecostal denominations were critical to the war and encouraged their members to be conscientious objectors . In the United States, some of the many groups that protested against
7930-436: The combined benefits of 10 major tax expenditures would apply to households in the top 20% income group, and that 17% of the benefit would go to the top 1% households. The top 20% of income earners pay about 70% of federal income taxes, excluding payroll taxes. For scale, 50% of the $ 1.5 trillion in tax expenditures in 2016 was $ 750 billion, while the U.S. budget deficit was approximately $ 600 billion. In other words, eliminating
8052-643: The company they were employed in. The CWC negotiated with government leaders, but no agreement could be reached and consequently both Gallacher and Kirkwood were arrested and imprisoned under the Defence of the Realm Act. Anti-war activity also took place outside the workplace and on the streets in general. The Marxist John Maclean and Independent Labour Party member James Maxton were both jailed for their anti-war propagandizing. In Australia two referendums in 1916 and 1917 resulted in votes against conscription, and were seen as opposition to an all-out prosecution of
8174-603: The debt relative to GDP over time. CBO estimated the size of changes that would be needed to achieve a chosen goal for federal debt. For example, if lawmakers wanted to reduce the amount of debt in 2048 to 41 percent of GDP (its average over the past 50 years), they might cut non-interest spending, increase revenues, or take a combination of both approaches to make changes that equaled 3.0 percent of GDP each year starting in 2019. (In dollar terms, that amount would total about $ 630 billion in 2019.) If, instead, policymakers wanted debt in 2048 to equal its current share of GDP (78 percent),
8296-515: The external links below to find the archived publications. WRL celebrated the centennial of its founding in 2023 by producing a traveling exhibit consisting of eight 7-foot tall freestanding panels on various topics and a 12-foot wide timeline banner. The entire contents of the traveling exhibit is contained within an 84-page full-color book published by the League. In addition the Judd Foundation hosted celebrations of WRL's centennial with
8418-494: The federal government spent $ 6.3 trillion. Spending as % of GDP is 25.1%, almost 2 percentage points greater than the average over the past 50 years. Major categories of FY 2022 spending included: Medicare and Medicaid ($ 1.339T or 5.4% of GDP), Social Security ($ 1.2T or 4.8% of GDP), non-defense discretionary spending used to run federal Departments and Agencies ($ 910B or 3.6% of GDP), Defense Department ($ 751B or 3.0% of GDP), and net interest ($ 475B or 1.9% of GDP). CBO projects
8540-409: The first two quarters. This means the total debt is roughly the size of GDP. Economists debate the level of debt relative to GDP that signals a "red line" or dangerous level, or if any such level exists. By comparison, China's budget deficit was 1.6% of its $ 10 trillion GDP in 2010, with a debt to GDP ratio of 16%. The CBO reported several types of risk factors related to rising debt levels in
8662-558: The fiscal year 2015-2021 periods as a percent of GDP, including federal tax revenue, outlays or spending, deficits (revenue – outlays), and debt held by the public . The historical average for 1969-2018 is also shown. With U.S. GDP of about $ 21 trillion in 2019, 1% of GDP is about $ 210 billion. Statistics for 2020-2022 are from the CBO Monthly Budget Review for FY 2022. The U.S. Constitution ( Article I , section 9, clause 7) states that "No money shall be drawn from
8784-453: The foreign financial sector and the private financial sector. The sum of the surpluses or deficits across these three sectors must be zero by definition . Since the foreign and private sectors are in surplus, the government sector must be in deficit. Wolf argued that the sudden shift in the private sector from deficit to surplus due to the global economic conditions forced the government balance into deficit, writing: "The financial balance of
8906-628: The founding of the republic. At the outbreak of the July Crisis the French Section of the Worker's International ( SFIO ) was the most prominently anti-war party in France. Its leader, Jean Jaurès, was actively searching for allies against a European war. To this end, a special congress of the Second International was planned for 9 August in Paris. On 4 August, socialists also rallied behind
9028-400: The full long-term costs of programs such as Medicare, Social Security, and the federal portion of Medicaid are not reflected in the federal budget. By contrast, many businesses and some other national governments have adopted forms of accrual accounting, which recognizes obligations and revenues when they are incurred. The costs of some federal credit and loan programs, according to provisions of
9150-413: The government and nearly three times as large as the budget deficit. Since eliminating a tax expenditure changes economic behavior, the amount of additional revenue that would be generated is somewhat less than the estimated size of the tax expenditure. CBO reported that the following were among the largest individual (non-corporate) tax expenditures in 2013: In 2013, CBO estimated that more than half of
9272-530: The groups weakened and dissolved entirely as their leading militants left to work within nonfeminist organizations opposing the war. The women's suffrage movement in Britain split on the war issue. The main official groups supported the war but it was opposed by a number of prominent women's rights campaigners, including Helena Swanwick , Margaret Ashton , Catherine Marshall , Maude Royden , Kathleen Courtney Chrystal Macmillan , and Sylvia Pankhurst . It
9394-684: The impact of war at home. Much of its organizing is focused on challenging military recruiters and ending corporate profit from war. WRL is involved in a number of national peace and justice coalitions, including National Network Opposing the Militarization of Youth and the National War Tax Resistance Coordinating Committee . Starting in 1958, WRL awarded almost annually the War Resisters League Peace Award to
9516-408: The individual, payroll, and corporate income tax systems. Like conventional spending, they contribute to the federal budget deficit. They also influence choices about working, saving, and investing, and affect the distribution of income. The amount of reduced federal revenues are significant, estimated by CBO at nearly 8% GDP or about $ 1.5 trillion in 2017, for scale roughly half the revenue collected by
9638-496: The interest payments are now leaving the country, which is different from past years when interest was paid to U.S. citizens holding the public debt. Interest expenses are projected to grow dramatically as the U.S. debt increases and interest rates rise from very low levels to more typical historical levels. Intuitively, the annual budget deficit should represent the amount added to the national debt. However, there are certain types of spending ("supplemental appropriations") outside
9760-416: The issuance of checks, disbursement of cash or electronic transfer of funds made to liquidate a federal obligation and is usually synonymous with "expenditure" or "spending". The term "appropriations" refers to budget authority to incur obligations and to make payments from the Treasury for specified purposes. Some military and some housing programs have multi-year appropriations, in which their budget authority
9882-625: The leadership of Valentin Bulgakov . Bulgakov's first reaction to the outbreak of war was the appeal "Wake up, all people are brothers!" which he composed on 28 September 1914. "Our enemies are - not the Germans, and - not Russians or Frenchmen. The common enemy of us all, no matter what nationality to which we belong - is the beast within us. Nowhere is this truth so clearly confirmed, as now, when, intoxicated, and excessively proud of their false science, their foreign culture and their civilization of
10004-513: The level of violence in modern culture. WRL published many important periodicals including The Conscientious Objector (1939–1946); WRL News (1945–1984); the WRL Peace Calendar from 1955–2012; Liberation magazine (1956–1977); WIN Peace & Freedom Through Nonviolent Action (1966–1984); The Nonviolent Activist (1984–2006); and the quarterly magazine WIN through revolutionary nonviolence (2006–2015), and other materials. See
10126-457: The liner as the "Ship of Fools" as well as the "Peace Ship". Infighting between the activists, mockery by the press contingent aboard, and an outbreak of influenza marred the voyage. Four days after Oscar II arrived in Norway , a beleaguered and physically ill Ford abandoned the mission and returned to the United States. The peace mission was unsuccessful, which reinforced Ford's reputation as
10248-421: The lowest level of the past 50 years. The federal personal income tax is progressive , meaning a higher marginal tax rate is applied to higher ranges of income. For example, in 2010 the tax rate that applied to the first $ 17,000 in taxable income for a couple filing jointly was 10%, while the rate applied to income over $ 379,150 was 35%. The top marginal tax rate has declined considerably since 1980. For example,
10370-449: The machine, people of the 20th century have suddenly realized the true stage of its development: this step is no higher than that which our ancestors were at in the days of Attila and Genghis Khan . It is infinitely sad to know that two thousand years of Christianity have passed almost without a trace upon the people.". In October, Bulgakov continued circulating the appeal, collecting signatures and posting copies which were confiscated by
10492-637: The majority of the SPD Reichstag faction." In the end, the right faction successfully swayed the center of the party. On 4 August, the Reichstag , voted on war credits. Following a tradition of party discipline, the socialist delegates unanimously voted for the measures. The policy of supporting the government's war efforts became known as the Burgfrieden or civil truce . The socialist parties of France had split and reunited several times since
10614-445: The money even when no authorizing legislation has been enacted. A "backdoor appropriation" occurs when authorizing legislation requires an agency to spend a specific amount of money on a specific project within a specific period of time. Because the agency would be violating the law if it did not do so, it is required to spend the money—even if no appropriation has been made. Backdoor appropriations are particularly vexsome because removing
10736-542: The more liberal denominations, which had influenced the Social Gospel , called for a war for righteousness that would help uplift all mankind. The theme—an aspect of American exceptionalism —was that God had chosen America as his tool to bring redemption to the world. Leading up to 1917 and the declaration of war against Germany, the labor unions , socialists , members of the Old Right , and pacifist groups in
10858-620: The most famous was Eugene Debs , chairman of the Socialist Party of the USA for giving an anti-draft speech in Ohio. The U.S. Supreme Court upheld these prosecutions in a series of decisions. Conscientious objectors were punished as well, most of them Christian pacifist inductees. They were placed directly in the armed forces and court-martialed, receiving draconian sentences and harsh treatment. A number of them died in Alcatraz Prison , then
10980-525: The national debt in FY2008 but reported a deficit of $ 455 billion. Due to rules changes implemented under President Obama in 2009, the two figures have moved closer together and were nearly identical in 2013 (a CBO-reported deficit of $ 680 billion versus change in debt of $ 672 billion). For FY2014, the difference widened again, with the CBO reporting a deficit of $ 483 billion compared to
11102-659: The necessary changes would be smaller (although still substantial), totaling 1.9 percent of GDP per year (or about $ 400 billion in 2019). The longer lawmakers waited to act, the larger the policy changes would need to be to reach any particular goal for federal debt. During FY2018, the federal government collected approximately $ 3.33 trillion in tax revenue, up $ 14 billion or less than 1% versus FY2017. Primary receipt categories included individual income taxes ($ 1,684B or 51% of total receipts), Social Security/Social Insurance taxes ($ 1,171B or 35%), and corporate taxes ($ 205B or 6%). Corporate tax revenues declined by $ 92 billion or 32% due to
11224-454: The next four years, those of us who survived the holocaust—probably not more than one-quarter of us—learned how right the General's prognosis was and how courageous he had been to utter it. In Britain, some people resisted conscription . By 1918 several distinguished people were imprisoned for their opposition to it, including "the nation's leading investigative journalist, a future winner of
11346-425: The number of workers per retiree was 5.1 in 1960; this declined to 3.0 in 2010 and is projected to decline to 2.2 by 2030. These programs are also affected by per-person costs, which are also expected to increase at a rate significantly higher than economic growth. This unfavorable combination of demographics and per-capita rate increases is expected to drive both Social Security and Medicare into large deficits during
11468-425: The papacy less than three months into WW1, made the war and its consequences the main focus of his early pontificate. In stark contrast to his predecessor , five days after his election he spoke of his determination to do what he could to bring peace. His first encyclical, Ad beatissimi Apostolorum , given 1 November 1914, was concerned with this subject. Benedict XV found his abilities and unique position as
11590-563: The party, embodied by the German August Bebel and the French Jean Jaurès, were more circumspect with their preferred means. Jaurès particularly warned of the potential for a diversionary war. Alarmed by the growth of the socialist movement, a government might attempt to create a foreign diversion rather than directly battle Social Democracy. If a war breaks out in this way between France and Germany, would we permit
11712-457: The preceding fiscal year, which provides detailed data on federal financial activities. Historical tables within the President's Budget (OMB) provide a wide range of data on federal government finances. Many of the data series begin in 1940 and include estimates of the President's Budget for 2018–2023. Additionally, Table 1.1 provides data on receipts, outlays, and surpluses or deficits for 1901–1939 and for earlier multi-year periods. This document
11834-482: The president to submit a budget no earlier than the first Monday in January, and no later than the first Monday in February. Typically, presidents submit budgets on the first Monday in February. The budget submission has been delayed, however, in some new presidents' first year when the previous president belonged to a different party. The federal budget is calculated largely on a cash basis. That is, revenues and outlays are recognized when transactions are made. Therefore,
11956-567: The president's party has a majority in Congress. The amount of budget authority and outlays for a fiscal year usually differ because the government can incur obligations for future years. This means that budget authority from a previous fiscal year can, in many cases, be used for expenditure of funds in future fiscal years; for example, a multi-year contract. Budget authority is the legal authority provided by federal law to enter into financial obligations that will result in immediate or future outlays involving federal government funds. Outlays refer to
12078-439: The private sector shifted towards surplus by the almost unbelievable cumulative total of 11.2 percent of gross domestic product between the third quarter of 2007 and the second quarter of 2009, which was when the financial deficit of US government (federal and state) reached its peak...No fiscal policy changes explain the collapse into massive fiscal deficit between 2007 and 2009, because there was none of any importance. The collapse
12200-590: The public debt was approximately $ 240 billion in FY2016 (6% of spending), an increase of $ 17 billion or 8% versus FY2015. A higher level of debt coincided with higher interest rates. During FY2012, the GAO reported a figure of $ 245 billion, down from $ 251 billion. Government also accrued a non-cash interest expense of $ 187 billion for intragovernmental debt, primarily the Social Security Trust Fund, for
12322-492: The right faction of the German SPD met and agreed to support the upcoming war credits vote. On 3 August, the full SPD parliamentary delegation met. In the party's preparatory meeting on 3 August, there were, according to SPD representative Wolfgang Heine , "vile, noisy scenes" because of conflict between the right faction and Karl Liebknecht who believed that "the rejection of war loans was self-evident and unquestionable for
12444-510: The second international had voted in favor of war funding and shifted to support their national governments, organized international resistance by the socialist parties disintegrated. Reaction to these events would lead to the Zimmerwald Conference , and the splitting of socialist and communist movements. Like all the armies of mainland Europe, Austria-Hungary relied on conscription to fill its ranks. Officer recruitment, however,
12566-439: The slogan "Not one man, not one farthing for the current system." During the July Crisis it became clear that German mobilization, and therefor German war credit would be critical. A vote on war credits in the Reichstag was scheduled for 4 August, and required a simple majority to pass. This meant that a vote against war credits would only be symbolic for the SPD, unless a non-socialist party defected to their side. On 2 August,
12688-420: The suffrage movement in different countries wanted to support the war effort, asking for the vote as a reward for that support. In France, women activists from both the working-class socialist women's and the middle-class suffrage movements formed their own groups to oppose the war. However, they were unable to coordinate their efforts because of mutual suspicion due to class and political differences. After 1915
12810-458: The tax expenditures for the top 20% might balance the budget over the short-term, depending on economic feedback effects. During FY2018, the federal government spent $ 4.11 trillion, up $ 127 billion or 3.2% vs. FY2017 spending of $ 3.99 trillion. Spending increased for all major categories and was mainly driven by higher spending for Social Security, net interest on the debt, and defense. Spending as % GDP fell from 20.7% GDP to 20.3% GDP, equal to
12932-410: The top tax rate was lowered from 70% to 50% in 1980 and reached as low as 28% in 1988. The Bush tax cuts of 2001 and 2003, extended by President Obama in 2010, lowered the top rate from 39.6% to 35%. The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 raised the income tax rates for individuals earning over $ 400,000 and couples over $ 450,000. There are numerous exemptions and deductions, that typically result in
13054-415: The total debt was $ 16.1 trillion, with debt held by the public of $ 11.3 trillion and intragovernmental debt of $ 4.8 trillion. Debt held by the public as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP) rose from 34.7% in 2000 to 40.3% in 2008 and 70.0% in 2012. U.S. GDP was approximately $ 15 trillion during 2011 and an estimated $ 15.6 trillion for 2012 based on activity during
13176-596: The war (particularly conscription) was opposed by the New Zealand Socialist Party and its successor the New Zealand Labour Party . Several members were prosecuted for sedition in 1916 and imprisoned, including Peter Fraser , Bob Semple and Paddy Webb . Fraser was later Prime Minister of New Zealand for most of World War II . In Russia , opposition to the war was originally led by both Marxists and pacifist Tolstoyans under
13298-402: The war by bringing the belligerents to the conference table. Wilson indeed made an energetic, sustained and serious effort to do so, and kept his administration neutral, but he was repeatedly rebuffed by Britain and Germany. Finally in 1917 Wilson convinced some of them that to be truly anti-war they needed to support what Wilson promised would be "a war to end all wars". Once war was declared,
13420-543: The war effort became a major aim during the Red Clydeside era. To mobilize the workers of Clydeside against World War I, the Clyde Workers' Committee (CWC) was formed, with Willie Gallacher as its head and David Kirkwood its treasurer. The CWC led the campaign against the coalition government in which David Lloyd George was a prominent member, and their Munitions Act, which forbade engineers from leaving
13542-570: The war in France, where socialist acquiescence became known as the union sacrée . In Britain, the prominent peace activist Stephen Henry Hobhouse went to prison for refusing military service, citing his convictions as an "International Socialist and, a Christian" On 5 August, the Parliamentary Labour Party in the United Kingdom voted to support the government in the war. After the largest socialist parties of
13664-632: The war was declared, most socialist and most of the trade union decided to back the government of their country and support the war. For example, on 25 July 1914 the executive of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) issued an appeal to its membership to demonstrate against the coming war, only to vote on 4 August for the war credits the German government wanted. Likewise the French Socialist Party and its union,
13786-664: The war were the Woman's Peace Party (which was organized in 1915 and led by noted reformer Jane Addams ), the American Union Against Militarism , the Fellowship of Reconciliation , and the American Friends Service Committee . Jeannette Rankin , the first woman elected to Congress, was another fierce advocate of pacifism, the only person to vote no to America's entrance into both World Wars. Pope Benedict XV , elected to
13908-917: The war. In retaliation, the Australian government used the War Precautions Act and the Unlawful Associations Act to arrest and prosecute anti-conscriptionists such as Tom Barker, editor of Direct Action and many other members of the Industrial Workers of the World . The young John Curtin , at the time a member of the Victorian Socialist Party , was also arrested. Anti-conscriptionist publications were seized by government censors in police raids. Other notable opponents to Conscription included
14030-480: The whole war was immoral, and it was unjust to force people to fight. In Australia, women had full rights to vote which was then rare. In Canada opposition to conscription and involvement in the war centered on French Canadian nationalists led by Henri Bourassa . Following the 1917 elections , the government implemented the Military Service Act 1917 that came into effect in 1918, which sparked
14152-773: Was a type of governmental coercion of the working class for the benefit of capitalist elites. However, the national parties in the Second International increasingly supported their respective nations in war and the International was dissolved in 1916. When the Second International, the primary international socialist organization before World War I, was founded in 1889, internationalism was one of its central tenets. "The workers have no Fatherland", Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels had declared in The Communist Manifesto . Between 1889 and 1914
14274-495: Was an early coalition of women's campaigning with pacifism that led to the formation of Women's International League for Peace and Freedom in 1915. Although the onset of the First World War was generally greeted with enthusiastic patriotism across Europe, peace groups were still active in protesting the starting of the war. In 1915 the League of Nations Society was formed by British Liberal Party leaders to promote
14396-401: Was never inducted) court-martialed him for desertion and spreading propaganda, then sentenced him to death (this was later revised to 25 years hard labor). US Budget Bowles–Simpson Commission 2007–2008 financial crisis 2013 budget sequestration Related events The United States budget comprises the spending and revenues of the U.S. federal government . The budget
14518-495: Was passed to prevent spying but also contained a section which criminalized inciting or attempting to incite any mutiny, desertion, or refusal of duty in the armed forces, punishable with a fine of not more than $ 10,000, not more than twenty years in federal prison, or both. Thousands of Wobblies and anti-war activists were prosecuted on authority of this and the Sedition Act of 1918, which tightened restrictions even more. Among
14640-456: Was present): that war should be avoided at almost any cost, that war would solve nothing, that the whole of Europe and more besides would be reduced to ruin, and that the loss of life would be so large that whole populations would be decimated. In their ignorance I, and many of the Britons, felt almost ashamed of a British General who uttered such depressing and unpatriotic sentiments, but during
14762-459: Was voluntary. The effect of this at the start of the war was that well over a quarter of the rank and file were Slavs, while more than 75% of the officers were ethnic Germans. This was much resented. The army has been described as being "run on colonial lines" and the Slav soldiers as "disaffected". Thus conscription contributed greatly to Austria's disastrous performance on the battlefield. In 1914,
14884-402: Was widespread during the conflict and included socialists , anarchists , syndicalists and Marxists as well as Christian pacifists , anti-colonial nationalists , feminists , intellectuals , and the working class . The socialist movements had declared before the war their opposition to a war which they said could only mean workers killing each other in the interests of their bosses. Once
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