April 20, 2008

Dear Friends,

The 23 individuals who have signed this letter below are asking that you read it carefully and give serious consideration to our thoughts and appeal. As long-time activists and supporters of peace and justice, we know you share our goals.

As you know, the Bush administration has decided that our current economic crisis can be quickly addressed by (among other measures) rebating to most citizens some cash in their pockets in the hope that we will go out and purchase more "stuff".

Accordingly, sometime in May, most if not all of you will be receiving an "Economic Stimulus" check totaling $600-1800, depending on your tax status, dependents, etc.

Of course, the hope is that you will rush out to your nearest big-box retailer and spend it all and maybe even more as you are hopefully lulled into the belief that this is truly good for the people of this nation.

But we suspect that you, like us, know that this is simply smoke and mirrors to hide the real problem of a budget dominated by "Defense" (Offense) spending to build bigger and more lethal weapons so that we might continue to wage wars around the world. And that every dollar we spend to falsely and temporarily inflate an economy already in a ditch too deep to correct by our purchases of "stuff", will only ultimately aid those who would continue to have us ride this "handbasket to hell".

We propose alternative spending that will aid the struggle for peace and justice, both economically and socially.

All of the signers to this letter have pledged that a substantial part or even all of our "Economic Stimulus" checks will be donated to the Thomas Merton Center as a truly constructive and creative way to move our country in a positive direction. The Thomas Merton Center, as you know, has been a singularly successful Peace and Justice Center for about 40 years. It has survived through good and bad times because of support from people like you, whether members or not.

Now, due partly to problems with the building and overdue physical repairs that HAD to be made, the budget of the Merton Center is thin. Almost alone among major cities, the Thomas Merton Center has remained a physical, social, political, and spiritual center for almost every progressive group that has sought its services and shelter and has largely remained free of sectarianism and the constant political bickering that plagues many other similar attempts. We can all be proud of that because we helped to make that happen.

We need to continue and even expand those efforts. We suspect that many of you who are receiving this did NOT count on receiving this Economic Stimulus rebate and may be able to donate either all or part of it to the Thomas Merton Center and we are asking you to pledge to do exactly that. If you are not in a position to donate the entire amount, any percentage given would be most helpful. You simply have to fill out the form below and send it back in the envelope enclosed. If you have not yet received your check, we will call you to remind you of your pledge at a later date. If you have received it, a check enclosed now would be appreciated.

We hope you will join us in this effort and remember that all donations to the Thomas Merton Center are tax-deductible.

We thank you in the name of peace and justice for all.

ENDORSERS: Gail Austin Tony Buba Ron Berlin Hilary Chiz Kate Daher Emily De Ferrari Gilda De Ferrari Bonnie Di Carlo Steffi Domike Karen Engro Deb Gausmann Ron Gaydos Christine Haas John Haer Mike Healey Ginny Hildebrand Dan Kovalik Jules Lobel Emily Lippert Mel Packer Joni Rabinowitz Molly Rush Craig Stevens