I remember when I was in the midst of my own tax witness, I was greatly cheered by a gentle letter of encouragement from David Bassett. May these words of courage and reflection cheer us as we begin the second 25 years of our journey, and may the light of our candle continue to show us the way, as Chris Nelson reminds us below. Knowing the National Campaign for the Peace Tax Fund Bill is there is like a candle. It's a small collection of people supported by others like me from around the country, the planet. They remind me that I'm reputable, that in this world there might be hope, that democracy can work if enough of us raise our voices loud enough for long enough.
All social change begins first with changes in public awareness, reflected later in laws.
By entering on this struggle we have already begun to achieve our goal. Thanks to the work of the staff and those most deeply connected to the campaign, let me hope that the legislation itself is finally enacted. Federal authorities have been slow in recognizing the value and importance of a peace tax fund. Your organization has brought to the attention of many people, first of all, the right of conscience and the need to give taxpayers alternatives instead of supporting the horrible waste of military spending and defense budgets. I personally believe that the cold war is not over, even though one of the key players has dropped out.