This is from 2014, but the points are still accurate.

Action – Call/email your legislators every day! Today’s pick is the “Billionaires Income Tax.

MInimal script: I’m calling from [zip code]. First, I want Sen. [___] to delay any holiday recess until they pass legislation essential for our continued democracy: the Freedom to Vote Act, the John Lewis Voting Rights Act and the Women’s Health Protection Act (WHPA). I also expect [him/her] to carve up the filibuster for these foundational bills, just as the Senate somehow managed to do for the debt ceiling.

Then I want the senator to pass the Build Back Better Act, including a true building block of a healthy and just economy, the “Billionaires Income Tax. That this tax can raise $557 billion in 10 years from only 700 people, demonstrates a level of wealth inequality not seen since the Gilded Age of robber barons. According to the UN, this issue is destabilizing democratic societies around the world, ours included, stagnating wages, eroding trust and paving the way for authoritarion and nativist regimes. Their time-tested solution is what we’re asking Sen. [___] to do – increase social safety nets, protect workers’ rights, and actively redistribute extreme wealth for a more stable and just society for all.

Continue reading “Advent calendar for democracy – Demand that the Senate include the “Billionaires Income Tax” in the Build Back Better Act.” →

What are we getting for our +20% in combined taxes? Let’s compare, point by point, with the Swedish guy above and they talk to our legislators…

• Healthcare: Even with the Affordable Care Act, two-thirds of all personal bankruptcies are due to medical bills, with 20% of those in the 55+ age group. 70% of Americans with medical bills had to cut their food expenses to avoid bankruptcy.Our students owe. A 2019 poll  found 25% of Americans say they or a family member have delayed medical treatment for a serious illness due to the costs of care. 34 million Americans know of family member or friend who died in the last 5 tears after being unable to afford treatment.
• College: U.S. student loan debt totals $1.6 trillion as of March 31, 2021. 62% of students graduate with debt and the average U.S. household with student debt owes $57,520.
• Retirement: “The U.S. is on a path to a predictable and unfortunate outcome — millions of working Americans unable to meet their basic needs in retirement.” This is helped on by corporation replacing pensions with 401k’s or refusing benefits entirely.
• Welfare: Read and weep. “In comparing poverty in the U.S. to these OECD countries, we find that American poverty is both more prevalent and more extreme.”
• Parental leave: Among 41 countries, the U.S. is the only developed country that does not require employers to provide any paid leave to new parents, though some states, like R.I, and N.J. require it.
• Child care: Rich countries contribute an average of $14,000 per year for a toddler’s care, compared with $500 in the U.S. The Democrats’ spending bill tries to shrink the gap.
• Paid sick leave: The U.S. is the only developed country that does not guarentee paid sick leave in any capacity, though some states like NY and CA have statewide mandates.

Action: Call/email your legislators now! Pick a script to call or email!

Continue reading “Update: Invest in the rest of us! It’s time to pass our budget reconciliation priorities!” →

The House has until Sept. 27 to get the budget reconciliation package passed, the legislative vehicle for passing an inclusive recovery package. This means we’re in a key moment for advocacy as we fight to win the most progressive reconciliation bill possible. The House is moving on the bill first – that means you need to call your Representative and make sure they’re supporting these essential policies. 

Some “moderate” Democrats are pulling back on the optics of the $3.5 trillion cost of the Biden’s Build Back Better plan. We know that corporate lobbyists and wealthy donors are whispering in their ears. But this is 2021, and we’re keeping tabs on where our money has gone…

Action #1 – Call/email your legislators now! Pick your script length here!

Continue reading “Invest in the rest of us! It’s time to pass our budget reconciliation priorities!” →