Although militarism and war are national issues, they have a tremendous impact on our state. We have lost dozens of National Guardsmen in both the Iraq and Afghan occupations, and countless wounded, both physically and mentally. The economic costs are also unacceptable. With 4.5 percent of the world’s population, we spend more on the military than the rest of the world combined. Every dollar spent represents money taken away from our schools, social services, health care, infrastructure and other pressing social needs. Our state’s share of tax revenue on the Iraq and Afghan occupations alone now stands at about $59 billion, enough money to eliminate our state deficit 4-1/2 times over.

Aggressive war and occupation of other nations is plainly unjustifiable and immoral. It has brought with it the evils of war crimes against civilians, torture, radioactive contamination and environmental destruction, the creation of millions of refugees, and other massive human suffering. It is also illegal. Any Presidential order to commit more troops to Afghanistan or Iraq violates international law, including the Charter of the United Nations, the Geneva Conventions, the Charter of the Nuremberg Tribunal and international agreements dealing with the suppression and control of terrorism. Accordingly, if elected Governor of Illinois, I would honor my commitment to the Constitution and established international law, and assert the Governor’s right to veto any mobilization of the Illinois National Guard for service in Iraq or Afghanistan. I will take on the federal government on this issue. The peace movement, long ignored, but representing the wishes of most Americans, has a candidate in the Governor’s race.