Stewart Acuff of Jefferson County, West Virginia and Rev. Dr. William Barber of the Poor People's Campaign hold a news conference in Washington, D.C. on December 14, 2021. (Photo: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
Posted in Analysis Wealth Tax

‘Can’t afford’ Build Back Better? US billionaires saw $1 trillion wealth boom in 2021 alone

A new analysis shows that Sen. Ron Wyden’s proposed tax on billionaires “would be more than enough to cover the expansion of the child tax credit in the Build Back Better Act.” by Jake Johnson, Common…

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Posted in News Politics Restart 2021

Forget Manchin. Sanders says entire Democratic Party must show ‘guts’ against corporate interests

The focus of the party, says the Vermont senator, must be “to restore faith with the American people that they actually stand for something.” by Andrea Germanos, Common Dreams December 22, 2021 Stressing a need to…

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Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and United Mine Workers of America President Cecil Roberts arrive to hold a press conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, October 3, 2017. (Photo: Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
Posted in Analysis Labor Restart 2021

UMW coal miners’ union rebukes Manchin for effort to kill Build Back Better

“Manchin has lost the coal miners with this latest betrayal,” said one labor reporter.   by Julia Conley, Common Dreams Tuesday, December 21, 2021 The push for passage of the Build Back Better Act got a…

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Posted in News Politics Restart 2021

Build Back Better verges on collapse as Manchin attempts to kill child tax credit

“Put the bill on the floor and make him explain that he voted it down because he wanted to cut all of the money for families with children,” suggested one progressive commentator. by Jake Johnson, Common…

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Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) speaks to reporters as they arrive at the U.S. Capitol on June 24, 2021. (Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Posted in News Restart 2021 Wealth Tax

Sinema targeted over tax break for rich

  “It’s time for her to decide who she works for: Arizonans, or private equity billionaires.” by Jake Johnson, Common Dreams Tuesday, December 7, 2021 A group of wealthy investors and business leaders who support progressive…

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Consumers shop in a Target store on September 28, 2021 in Miami, Florida. (Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Posted in Analysis Wealth

As executives hike prices, US corporations rake in biggest profits since 1950

“Prices are high,” said Sen. Sherrod Brown, “because corporations are raising them—so they can keep paying themselves with ever-larger executive bonuses and stock buybacks.” by Jake Johnson, Common Dreams November 30, 2021 New data released by…

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Right-wing Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia has expressed opposition to a provision in the Build Back Better Act that would incentivize both fair working conditions at auto plants and the manufacturing and purchase of electric vehicles. (Photo: Joshua Roberts-Pool/Getty Images)
Posted in Climate change News Restart 2021

Manchin leads charge against Biden’s electric vehicle tax credit

“Manchin thinks being pro-labor is un-American.” by Julia Colney, Common Dreams  Monday, November 15, 2021  Advocates for both workers’ rights and climate policy are condemning Sen. Joe Manchin’s latest statements opposing provisions in the Build Back…

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Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) talks with reporters after the Senate Democratic policy luncheon in the Capitol on July 13, 2021. (Photo: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
Posted in Medicare News Restart 2021

‘Bottom Line,’ says Bernie Sanders, deal must include Medicare expansion, lower drug prices

“That’s what the American people want.” by Jessica Corbett, Common Dreams Tuesday, October 26, 2021 As congressional leadership pushes Democrats to “act like we are winning” even as a few corporate-backed party members and business lobbyists…

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Posted in Corporate Taxes Restart 2021 Wealth Tax

As ‘unhinged’ Sinema blocks corporate rate hike, demand grows for billionaire tax

“It seems truly unhinged to look at a country full of working people struggling to get by… and decide that it’s more important to preserve low tax rates for billionaires and corporations than it is to…

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Posted in Analysis Infrastructure Restart 2021

Sinema kills Democrats’ plan to raise corporate tax rate

Although “all of President Biden’s Build Back Better agenda can be paid for by fairer taxes on the wealthy and corporations,” noted Americans for Tax Fairness, Sen. Kyrsten Sinema’s refusal to support tax hikes on the…

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Posted in Infrastructure News Restart 2021

5 Sinema advisers quit in protest

‘Hanging Your Constituents Out to Dry’ “You have become one of the principal obstacles to progress, answering to big donors rather than your own people.” by Brett Wilkins, Common Dreams Thursday, October 21, 2021 As U.S….

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Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) walks through the halls of the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, May 26, 2021. (Photo: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc. via Getty Images)
Posted in Medicare Restart 2021

Arizona groups demand Sinema ‘Stop obstructing’ on Medicare expansion

The diverse coalition called on the Democratic senator to back “bold drug pricing reform” and “critical improvements to Medicare’s coverage” in the reconciliation package. by Jessica Corbett Wednesday, October 20, 2021 As Democrats’ sweeping Build Back…

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New polling from CNN and SRSS found that 75% of Democratic respondents favor a Build Back Better bill with more ambitious social and climate spending. (Photo: Paul Morigi/Getty Images for Unbendable Media)
Posted in Analysis Infrastructure Restart 2021 Workers

75% of Democrats want party to go big on social spending, climate action

“The people delivered Democrats the House, Senate, and White House. Now it’s time for us to deliver them paid leave, child care, climate action, lower healthcare costs, pre-k, community college, affordable housing, and so much more.”…

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Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) and a handful of right-wing Democrats pose a potentially existential threat to the $3.5 trillion Build Back Better Act, a sweeping budget reconciliation package that, if passed, would fund robust climate action. (Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Posted in Guest Column Op/Ed Restart 2021

Our long neoliberal nightmare: Congress should not begrudge $3.5 trillion reconciliation package for the people

To set themselves apart from Republicans, Democrats must demonstrate the political will to choose the common good over allegiance to corporate wealth. by Michele Swenson Thursday, October 14, 2021 A half century of neoliberal economic policy…

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Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) hobnobs with attendees of a May 17, 2019 event hosted by the Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry at the Arizona Biltmore Resort in Phoenix. (Photo: Gage Skidmore/Flickr/cc)
Posted in Dark Money News Politics

While roadblocking Party agenda, Sinema absconds to Europe for fundraising

“She might as well start fundraising for McConnell at this point.” by Jake Johnson, Common Dreams Thursday, October 14, 2021 With President Joe Biden’s popular legislative agenda hanging in the balance largely due to her obstruction,…

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Low-wage workers, economists, faith leaders, and a progressive lawmaker spoke about Democrats' budget reconciliation package outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. on October 12, 2021. (Photo: Poor People's Campaign/Twitter)
Posted in Analysis Restart 2021 Workers

Essential, low-wage workers share why they need reconciliation package

‘Please Help Us’ “We’ve heard the voices of the poor. We’ve heard the voices crying out, demanding justice. All I want to know right now, Joe Manchin, is which side are you on?” by Jessica Corbett,…

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Posted in Columns Restart 2021 Wade Rathke

Mean-tested versus entitlements

by Wade Rathke October 10, 2021 Pearl River    I hate being one of those “I told you so” people, but anyone listening knows we predicted the “deal” on the social services infrastructure package would come…

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It's cannot be described as a labor shortage, explains Reich, when "many American workers are now engaged in the equivalent of a general strike." (Photo: Shutterstock)
Posted in Columns Jobs Robert Reich Workers

This isn’t a labor shortage—It’s a strike by workers kicked in the face by low wages for too long

A lot of those now out of work simply don’t want to return to backbreaking, low-wage shit jobs. Why should they? by Robert Reich October 10, 2021 The U.S. added just 194,000 jobs in September, down…

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(L-R) U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Rob Portman (R-Ohio), and Susan Collins (R-Maine) speak to reporters as they arrive at the U.S. Capitol after a meeting with President Joe Biden at the White House on June 24, 2021. (Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Posted in Climate change News Restart 2021

Sinema pushing $100 billion in climate cuts from reconciliation bill

A Sunrise Movement leader said the Arizona Democrat’s reported proposal for the Build Back Better package is “not surprising since she’s been meeting nonstop with corporate executives.” by Jessica Corbet, Common Dreams October 8, 2021  Already…

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Posted in Immigration News Restart 2021

Protesters confront Sinema directly, she calls the move ‘unacceptable’

by Simon Williams/Cronkite News Oct. 5, 2021 Washington – Progressives upset with Sen. Kyrsten Sinema took their protests directly to the Arizona Democrat this weekend, ambushing her in public spaces three times to get answers on…

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Posted in Columns Politics Wade Rathke

Progressives made a power play

by Wade Rathke October 5, 2021 New Orleans    It may be high-low bargaining, but at least progressives played their hands powerfully in order to get to try to get to the maximum number on Biden’s…

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Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) hobnobs with attendees of a May 17, 2019 event hosted by the Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry at the Arizona Biltmore Resort in Phoenix. (Photo: Gage Skidmore/Flickr/cc)
Posted in Analysis Dark Money Guest Column Restart 2021

So-called ‘centrists’ are really incredibly dangerous extremists

Their supposed “seriousness” poses a serious threat to everyone but the small group of elites whose short-term interests they actually represent. by Peter Bloom Tuesday, October 5, 2021 After a half decade of progressive political gains,…

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"David Schweikert, Kyrsten Sinema & Matt Salmon" by Gage Skidmore is licensed with CC BY-SA 2.0.
Posted in Analysis Restart 2021

Corporate Democrats Obstructing Extension of Expanded Child Tax Credit

“The rich can afford to pay a fairer share in taxes, but many families in Maine can’t afford to lose out on this commonsense tax relief.” by Kenny Stancil, Common Dreams September 30, 2021 A new…

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Posted in Infrastructure News Restart 2021

Progressives deliver message to Democrats on infrastructure: ‘Don’t f**k this up’

“The problem in American democracy today,” said Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, “is that people have lost faith in us, in government, that we actually will fight for working people.” by Jon Queally, Common Dreams September 30, 2021…

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