Iraq war exacerbates inequality in U.S

Community Action, April 14, 2003

WASHINGTON -- The war in Iraq "exacerbates the inequality that disadvantaged and disenfranchised communities already experience," The National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy claims. The Committee made up of voluntary social service agencies is "is concerned about the impact that our nation's military action in Iraq will have on our constituencies, our nation and our world."

"For our constituencies among u.s. nonprofits, the war also means a new wave of cutbacks in public investment, as the federal government will have to shift more money into a war budget. The outcome will inevitably be reduced human service and public infrastructure investment--and more pressure on charity and philanthropy to fill the holes in our nation's already frayed social safety net.

"Many reservists forego regular salaries while they are deployed in this conflict. Others called up for service have left families at the brink of poverty because their economic contributions to their households have not been replaced. Even when salaries are replaced, military families are emotionally destabilized by this war effort." 202-387-9177