BIDEN’S PLAN: A GOVERNMENT THAT WORKS FOR ALL
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Background
Biden’s bold plans -- to create jobs and strengthen families -- are aimed at restoring faith in government as an instrument of good. He also wants to restore the balance in taxation by having the super-rich and corporations pay their fair share.
This pushes us to decide what kind of government we want.
For decades, Republicans have demonized government. The focus of the anti-government movement became cutting taxes, to shrink government.
Their claim was that shrinking government would enrich the rich, free businesses from regulations, and the wealth would then “trickle down” to nourish the broader economy.
After 50 years, the research shows that theory was completely wrong. It just made the rich richer.
Tax revenues declined. In 1952, corporate taxes were 32% of federal revenue. By 2019, it was 6.6%.
Government was forced to downsize.
The cataclysm of Covid showed us the cost of starving government, especially for protecting the public health. As a consequence, Covid has killed nearly 575,000 Americans and caused the biggest economic collapse of all time.
Biden’s investments in people would create millions of jobs. Those jobs would drive growth in a trickle up economy.
We have a chance to have that kind of government again.
1. Call the Senate.
Script Oregon Senators
SEN. MERKLEY: Portland office: 503-326-3386 | D.C. office: 202-224-3753
My name is [--] and I'm a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
I support Biden’s plans, including his plans to raise taxes so that all pay their fair share. Taxes should be used to benefit everyone. But, for decades, cutting taxes has greatly boosted the rich while it starved investments in infrastructure and families. We need to build a better America. Boosting taxes will pay for that.
SEN. WYDEN: Portland office: 503-326-7525 | D.C. office: 202-224-5244
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
I support Biden’s plans, including his plans to raise taxes so that all pay their fair share. Taxes should be used to benefit everyone. But, for decades, cutting taxes has greatly boosted the rich while it starved investments in infrastructure and families. We need to build a better America. Boosting taxes will pay for that.
Script for Republican Senators
D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], [state], [zip code].
I support Biden’s plans, including his plans to raise taxes so that all pay their fair share. Taxes should be used to benefit everyone. But, for decades, cutting taxes has greatly boosted the rich while it starved investments in infrastructure and families. We need to build a better America. Boosting taxes will pay for that.
2. Call the House.
Script for Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01)
Oregon office: 503-469-6010 | DC office: 202-225-0855
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
I support Biden’s plans, including his plans to raise taxes so that all pay their fair share. Taxes should be used to benefit everyone. But, for decades, cutting taxes has greatly boosted the rich while it starved investments in infrastructure and families. We need to build a better America. Boosting taxes will pay for that.
Script for Cliff Bentz (OR-02)
Medford office: 541-776-4646 | DC office: 202-225-6730
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
I support Biden’s plans, including his plans to raise taxes so that all pay their fair share. Taxes should be used to benefit everyone. But, for decades, cutting taxes has greatly boosted the rich while it starved investments in infrastructure and families. We need to build a better America. Boosting taxes will pay for that.
Script for Earl Blumenauer (OR-03)
Oregon office: 503-231-2300 | DC office: 202-225-4811
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
I support Biden’s plans, including his plans to raise taxes so that all pay their fair share. Taxes should be used to benefit everyone. But, for decades, cutting taxes has greatly boosted the rich while it starved investments in infrastructure and families. We need to build a better America. Boosting taxes will pay for that.
Script for Peter DeFazio (OR-04)
Eugene office: 541-465-6732 | DC office: 202-225-6416
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
I support Biden’s plans, including his plans to raise taxes so that all pay their fair share. Taxes should be used to benefit everyone. But, for decades, cutting taxes has greatly boosted the rich while it starved investments in infrastructure and families. We need to build a better America. Boosting taxes will pay for that.
Script for Kurt Schrader (OR-05)
Salem office: 503-588-9100 | DC office: 202-225-5711
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
I support Biden’s plans, including his plans to raise taxes so that all pay their fair share. Taxes should be used to benefit everyone. But, for decades, cutting taxes has greatly boosted the rich while it starved investments in infrastructure and families. We need to build a better America. Boosting taxes will pay for that.
Further Reading
Here's what's in Biden's $3.5 trillion plan to tax the rich - CBS News
Biden’s tax hikes are about to collide with reality - POLITICO
U.S. infrastructure ranked compared to the rest of the world - The Washington Post
Paul Krugman on Tax Policy, Reducing Inequality, and Democracy - YouTube
The Republicans waged a 3-decade war on government. They got Trump. - Vox
