WE NEED A BILLIONAIRE’S TAX
For strengthening working families, for investing in kids, for fairness in our democracy.
QUICK READ: “Poverty is a policy choice,” says Sen. Wyden. In a sense, so is extraordinary wealth. Wyden, chair of the Senate Finance Committee, and Rep. Blumenauer on the House Ways and Means Committee, can help correct both with the Billionaire’s Tax. It would help restore fairness in the tax code, and fairness is a democratic value worth fighting for.
TAKE ACTION NOW:
BACKGROUND
The ten richest billionaires doubled their wealth during the pandemic. But under the current tax code, they can defer paying taxes, often indefinitely.
The income tax structure widens the wealth gap every payday. That’s because the rest of us have taxes preemptively taken from our wages.
In a democracy, the rich should pay their fair share so their wealth is used for the common good, not channeled into pet charities.
Sen. Wyden proposed a Billionaire’s Tax last year which would raise over $500 billion from 2022-2031.
That money could boost research and development investments, allow elder and child care, reduce drug and education costs, and lift millions of children out of poverty.
Or, according to Sen. Elizabeth Warren, it could pay for universal child care and pre-k for every kid in America. That would free up parents and give all kids an equal start.
Additionally, 17 Nobel laureates maintain that such investments in the middle class would drive down inflation.
We urge Senator Wyden to push his tax proposal again and Congressman Blumenauer to bring it to the House Ways and Means Committee.
This would show that fairness, which is a central value of a democracy, is what Democrats are fighting for.
ACTION One: Call the Senate.
Script for 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].
NOTE: Personal stories illustrating how policies impact you are best.
We urge you to:
- Encourage Sen. Wyden to reintroduce his Billionaire Income Tax proposal. It’s an opportunity to put fairness back into the tax code. And fairness is a democratic value we are fighting for.
- Remind people that GDP growth is at 5.7%, the highest rate since 1984. That’s a Democratic accomplishment!
- Convince the President to cancel student debt.
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].
NOTE: Personal stories illustrating how policies impact you are best.
We urge you to:
- Reintroduce your Billionaire Income Tax proposal. It’s an opportunity to put fairness back into the tax code. And fairness is a democratic value we are fighting for.
- Remind people that GDP growth is at 5.7%, the highest rate since 1984. That’s a Democratic accomplishment!
- Convince the President to cancel student debt.
Script for Republican Senators
D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], [state], [zip code].
NOTE: Personal stories illustrating how policies impact you are best.
Please legislate to help your constituents instead of your donors.
ACTION TWO: 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].
NOTE: Personal stories illustrating how policies impact you are best.
We urge you to:
- Tell Rep. Blumenauer to bring Senator Wyden’s Billionaire Income Tax proposal to the Ways and Means Committee. It’s an opportunity to put fairness back into the tax code. And fairness is a democratic value we are fighting for.
- Remind people that GDP growth is at 5.7%, the highest rate since 1984. That’s a Democratic accomplishment!
- Convince the President to cancel student debt.
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].
NOTE: Personal stories illustrating how policies impact you are best.
Please legislate to help your constituents instead of your donors.
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].
NOTE: Personal stories illustrating how policies impact you are best.
Please introduce Wyden’s Billionaire Income Tax proposal to the Ways and Means Committee. It’s an opportunity to put fairness back into the tax code. And fairness is a democratic value we are fighting for.
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].
NOTE: Personal stories illustrating how policies impact you are best.
We urge you to:
- Tell Rep. Blumenauer to bring Senator Wyden’s Billionaire Income Tax proposal to the Ways and Means Committee. It’s an opportunity to put fairness back into the tax code. And fairness is a democratic value we are fighting for.
- Remind people that GDP growth is at 5.7%, the highest rate since 1984. That’s a Democratic accomplishment!
- Convince the President to cancel student debt.
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].
NOTE: Personal stories illustrating how policies impact you are best.
We urge you to:
- Tell Rep. Blumenauer to bring Senator Wyden’s Billionaire Income Tax proposal to the Ways and Means Committee. It’s an opportunity to put fairness back into the tax code. And fairness is a democratic value we are fighting for.
- Remind people that GDP growth is at 5.7%, the highest rate since 1984. That’s a Democratic accomplishment!
- Convince the President to cancel student debt.
ACTION 3: “GOOD TROUBLE”
Below are opportunities to fight for our democracy. As John Lewis said, make some “good trouble.”
Work with Indivisible Oregon.
Zoom today with Indivisible Oregon as we meet with Sen. Wyden and Rep. Blumenauer’s staff. Register here.
Learn about persuasive language and communication research at the Zoom ASO Movement Briefings every second Wednesday.
Join the campaign to hold the House and Senate at GiveNoGround.org.
Work to protect democracy in the House by replacing retiring US Representative Peter DeFazio with another Democrat, replacing Democrat Kurt Schrader, the “Manchin of the House,” with a progressive, and electing a Democrat in Oregon’s new Congressional District 6.
Demand your primary news source stop creating false equivalencies and just report the truth.
Check out the Poor People's Campaign Readies 'Massive, Nonviolent' Effort to Save Democracy
Outside of Portland? Check out COIN Oregon.
Center for Common Ground is starting new Reclaim Our Vote campaigns: TEXAS Primary is First! Writing to 730,000 Black registered voters in Texas, urging them to vote in the upcoming March 1st Primary. Only 1 in 25 Texas voters participate in primaries Postcards For Texas with Center for Common Ground. And phone banks!
Check out Inequality.org.
FURTHER READING:
What is a billionaires' tax — and how would it work? Wyden's new plan has answers. - MarketWatch
10 richest men in the world doubled their income during COVID pandemic
Student Loan Forgiveness Of $50,000 Would Cancel Student Loans For 36 Million People
