Take a Stand for Tax Fairness
By Beth Lanford, Northside P.O.W.E.R. Chair
There has been much discussion lately concerning the Bush era tax cuts and whether or not they should expire. There are 3 choices being discussed. Renew them for everyone, renew for those households making $1 million or less or only renew the tax cuts for those whose income is less than $250,000. I believe that the cuts should expire for those households making over $250,000. The top 2% doesn’t need a tax break; the extra income would most likely be put into a bank, perhaps even an offshore one.
In my patriotic view, the rich have a moral obligation to give back to the country that enabled them to obtain and maintain their wealth. By paying this tax, the rich can begin to ‘pay it forward’. They can help restore an economy that the big banks and Wall Street destroyed. The 2% needs to do the right thing and lobby for the expiration of this tax break. By doing this, they will save the American Treasury $1 trillion over 10 years!
The tax cut is needed by the 98%, we will spend the money and stimulate the economy! This is essential at this point in America’s history. If the Congressional Super Committee’s automatic spending cuts kick in, our social safety net will be devastated. People who are relying on this safety net in this deep, lingering recession will suffer greatly. Our economy will be further weakened, and I don’t want to speculate on how many people would die as a result of these cuts.
Change only happens when the populace organizes and works for change. This has worked many times in our past: the American Revolution began because the populace organized. The same can be said about organized labor (unions), women’s right to vote and the civil rights movement. This is only to name a few. At this point in history, we need to organize our neighborhoods, cities, states and nation. We need to organize to bring economic justice back to theUnited States of America!
There are 2 ways you can make a difference:
- Call Senator Dick Durbin during the week of July 19 and urge him to end the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest 2% – those making more than $250,000 per year. Call your U.S. Representative with the same message. For more information go to americansfortaxfairness.org.
- Join Northside P.O.W.E.R. (People Organized to Work Empower and Restore) Click on the Contact Us link on our website www.northsidepower.org, call the Northside P.O.W.E.R office at 773.262.2297. Or come to the next Northside P.O.W.E.R monthly meeting on July 26th. The meeting times are 6:30 pm – 8 pm. We believe that everyone’s time is valuable, so we begin and end on time. Our address is 7659 N. Paulina Ave.,Chicago, 60626
Visit our blog next week for specific talking points you can use in your calls, letters or emails to your elected officials.