HUNGRY CHILDREN AND EXTREME INCOME INEQUALITY ARE UNAMERICAN
To eliminate hunger and reverse the obscene concentration of wealth, Americans must elect more Democrats to Congress who will enact programs to begin to alleviate these problems.
QUICK READ: Last week President Biden unveiled a plan to end hunger in America by 2030. He announced a public-private partnership to make healthful food more affordable and accessible and pushed Congress to make the child tax credit permanent, raise the minimum wage to $15/hour, and expand nutrition assistance programs, all of which will help reduce the obscene concentration of wealth now characterizing American society. To attack these problems requires more Democrats in Congress, because Republicans serve only the rich and powerful. Our Members of Congress must carry this message to American voters.
CONTENTS:
BACKGROUND
According to last week’s Congressional Budget Office report, while American families’ total real wealth tripled between 1989 and 2019, almost all went to the top 10% and 1%, which now holds 72%, and 34% respectively. The bottom 50% holds only 2%, and the bottom 25% owes $11,000 more than they own.
The next day, President Biden held a conference aimed at ending hunger in America by 2030, where he pushed Congress to permanently extend the child tax credit, raise the minimum wage to $15/hour, and expand nutrition assistance programs—ideas anathema to Republicans.
Even with overwhelming evidence the child tax credit, implemented during COVID, cut child poverty by almost half, Senate Republicans let it expire. They also refused to extend the COVID-passed free lunch and summer meals programs, ignoring evidence that they improved students’ health, academic achievement, and behavior.
Raising the $7.25 minimum wage, whose buying power is the lowest in 60 years—similarly killed by Senate Republicans—is also necessary to begin to reduce the economic inequality that Republican policies encouraged.
Between now and November 8, our MoCs must highlight these differences, repeating the message that eradicating hunger and improving all Americans’ lives requires electing more Democrats to Congress who’ll begin to address these problems.
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].
The obscene concentration of wealth in America and the existence of widespread child hunger and poverty are unacceptable. Between now and November, please amplify this message, point out the stark differences between Democrats and Republicans, and urge voters to elect more Democrats to Congress. Then, in the lame-duck session, do all you can to permanently reinstate the child tax credit, raise the minimum wage, and make school lunches free for all students as books already are.
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].
The obscene concentration of wealth in America and the existence of widespread child hunger and poverty are unacceptable. Between now and November, please amplify this message, point out the stark differences between Democrats and Republicans, and urge voters to elect more Democrats to Congress. Then, in the lame-duck session, do all you can to permanently reinstate the child tax credit, raise the minimum wage, and make school lunches free for all students as books already are.
Script for Republican Senators
D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], [state], [zip code].
The obscene concentration of wealth in America and the existence of widespread child hunger and poverty are unacceptable. When you return to Congress in November, I expect you, to support legislation that will improve the lives of your constituents, including the child tax credit, a $15 minimum wage, and free school lunches for all students.
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].
The obscene concentration of wealth in America and the existence of widespread child hunger and poverty are unacceptable. Between now and November, please amplify this message, point out the stark differences between Democrats and Republicans, and urge voters to elect more Democrats to Congress. Then, in the lame-duck session, do all you can to permanently reinstate the child tax credit, raise the minimum wage, and make school lunches free for all students as books already are.
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].
The obscene concentration of wealth in America and the existence of widespread child hunger and poverty are unacceptable. Between now and November, please amplify this message, point out the stark differences between Democrats and Republicans, and urge voters to elect more Democrats to Congress. Then, in the lame-duck session, do all you can to permanently reinstate the child tax credit, raise the minimum wage, and make school lunches free for all students as books already are.
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].
The obscene concentration of wealth in America and the existence of widespread child hunger and poverty are unacceptable. Between now and November, please amplify this message, point out the stark differences between Democrats and Republicans, and urge voters to elect more Democrats to Congress. Then, in the lame-duck session, do all you can to permanently reinstate the child tax credit, raise the minimum wage, and make school lunches free for all students as books already are.
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].
The obscene concentration of wealth in America and the existence of widespread child hunger and poverty are unacceptable. Between now and November, please amplify this message, point out the stark differences between Democrats and Republicans, and urge voters to elect more Democrats to Congress. Then, in the lame-duck session, do all you can to permanently reinstate the child tax credit, raise the minimum wage, and make school lunches free for all students as books already are.
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].
Please loudly support your party’s election platform. Each party has “plans” for America. Sell those and let voters choose.
ACTION THREE: Good Trouble.
GOOD TROUBLE: Below are opportunities to fight for our democracy. As John Lewis said, go make some “good trouble.”
Get involved with Extinction Rebellion or another group working for climate change. For more information, click here.
Fridays at 4 - Letter and Postcard Writing — Indivisible Oregon.
Learn about persuasive language and communication research at the Zoom ASO Movement Briefings every second Wednesday. (DELAYED THIS AUGUST. WATCH THE WEBSITE FOR UPDATES.)
Join the campaign to hold the House and Senate at GiveNoGround.org
Work to protect democracy in the House by electing Democrats Val Hoyle in District 4, Jamie McLeod-Skinner in District 5, and Andrea Salinas in Oregon’s new Congressional District 6.
Check out the Poor People's Campaign Readies 'Massive, Nonviolent' Effort to Save Democracy
Outside of Portland? Check out COIN Oregon.
FURTHER READING
Biden Administration Unveils Plan Aiming to end Hunger in U.S. by 2030
Biden hosts conference on hunger, announces $8 billion of commitments
Biden’s hunger and nutrition goals confront November realities
Key takeaways from Biden’s conference on hunger and nutrition in America
Congressional Budget Office, Trends in the Distribution of Family Wealth, 1989 to 2019
The expanded child tax credit briefly slashed child poverty. Here’s what else it did
After inflation, people making U.S. minimum wage are earning less now than 60 years ago
Free School Meals Helped Kids for 2 Years. This Fall, Those Lunches Won’t Return
