Tag: wealth
Why Gil Scott-Heron’s ‘Whitey on the Moon’ still feels relevant today
Recent space flights by multi-billionaires highlight the extreme economic inequality in America. Joe Raedle/Getty Images A.D. Carson, University of Virginia Not long after the July 20, 1969, Moon landing, Gil Scott-Heron – a poet hailed as…
The Secret IRS files: Trove of never-before-seen records reveal how the wealthiest avoid income tax
ProPublica has obtained a vast cache of IRS information showing how billionaires like Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk and Warren Buffett pay little in income tax compared to their massive wealth — sometimes, even nothing. by Jesse…
Workers stage Global Day of Action to #MakeAmazonPay
“Loud and clear, Amazon’s producers, distributors, and delivery drivers are telling Jeff Bezos: pay your workers.” by Brett Wilkins, staff writer Asserting that workers—not CEO Jeff Bezos—drive Amazon’s success, employees of the world’s largest online…
Third round of coronavirus relief checks led to largest monthly rise in household income since 1959
“This is what happens when you opt for investing in working people over trickle-down economics.” by Julia Conley, staff writer Friday, April 30, 2021 The third round of coronavirus relief checks, which have been sent…
Jayapal calls for crackdown on wealthiest after IRS chief says tax evasion costs US $1 trillion a year
“We don’t just need a wealth tax, we also need to give the IRS the tools it needs to make sure the ultra-rich finally pay their fair share.” by Kenny Stancil, staff writer April 15, 2021…
719 billionaires now own four times more wealth than poorest 165 million Americans combined
“Congress should act to restore taxes on the wealthy and limit further democracy-distorting concentrations of wealth and power.” by Jake Johnson, staff writer Thursday, April 15, 2021 After seeing their fortunes surge during the deadly coronavirus…
How inequity gets built into America’s vaccination system
People eligible for the coronavirus vaccine tell us they are running up against barriers that are designed into the very systems meant to serve those most at risk of dying of the disease. We plan to…
John Thune’s childhood $6 wage—$24 adjusted for inflation—sure helps make the case for at least $15
“The worst thing is that these people aren’t dumb. They know about inflation… They just don’t think people who make their food and clean their bathrooms deserve the same things they got.” by Kenny Stancil, staff…
Majority of US voters want government to invest more in healthcare, education, and fighting poverty
57% of the electorate thinks the government doesn’t spend enough on anti-poverty initiatives, while 56% want to see more investment in education and healthcare. by Kenny Stancil, staff writer Wednesday, February 24, 2021 Lawmakers…
As US mourns 500,000 lives lost, report shows billionaires added $1.3 trillion to their fortunes during pandemic
“It is unseemly that billionaires have experienced such gains as we mark a half a million lives lost and millions more who have lost their health, wealth, and jobs.” by Jake Johnson, staff writer Wednesday, February…
‘How about a counter-argument based on fact?’: Warren tells CNBC host over two-cent Wealth Tax criticism
“The wealthiest in this country are paying less in taxes than everyone else,” said the Democratic senator. “If they added a two-cent wealth tax, they’d still be paying less than most of the people in this…
Most profitable US companies fired workers, enriched shareholders during pandemic
“This is a global crisis but the big companies are not treating it as one—they haven’t skipped a beat.” by Kenny Stancil, staff writer Thursday, December 17, 2020 While the Covid-19 pandemic and corresponding economic crisis…
Social Security’s Cost of Living Adjustment is inadequate.
Democrats Have a Plan to Fix That. After lifetimes of work, Americans have earned their Social Security. It is well past time they get a raise. by Nancy J. Altman Social Security is the primary income…
NJ Gov. signs millionaires tax into law to fight Covid-19, address inequality, and boost recovery
“We truly are setting an example for the nation on how to build an economy that works for all of us, not just a chosen few.” by Brett Wilkins, staff writer Wednesday, September 30 Following grassroots…
A message to the bosses: Share the profits!
It’s impossible to predict what kind of America will emerge from the crises we’re now experiencing, but the four-decade trend toward higher profits and lower wages is unsustainable, economically and politically. by Robert Reich Wednesday, July…
Dismantling the false paths to equity
by Wade Rathke New Orleans I’ll never forget the surprise on a colleague’s face who was working to build a nonprofit community development organization in the Mississippi delta several years ago when we first met….
Why are working people forced to sacrifice for the common good but not the titans of capitalism?
Why is it that lawmakers can order workers to stop working, and small business owners to lock their doors, but not order landlords, bankers, and Wall Street investors to also suspend their activities? by Scott Klinger…
America’s rich refugee crisis
By Jim Hightower The prospect of a 2 percent tax on wealth over $50 million has rich Americans considering expatriating. This is a make or break year for many migrants seeking to improve their families’ financial…
