Dear John,

We need you to weigh in on the current budget deficit debate in Washington.

According to a new poll by Data for Progress, a billionaire tax to fund programs that benefit ordinary Americans and reduce the deficit is supported by 68% of likely voters.

Yet, instead of seeking to improve fairness in taxation, Republicans continue to demand massive cuts to crucial programs such as Social Security, Medicaid, food stamps, and more.

Instead of further tax breaks for the wealthy, America really needs to increase funding for these programs, along with health care, child care, and care for the elderly and those with disabilities -- not cut them. Let’s fund paid family and medical leave, housing and nutrition programs, and working family tax credits, too.

We can do all of that if Congress reverses decades of tax cuts for the well-off and increases funding for essential programs that improve the quality of life for hard working Americans! We can do it if Congress finally makes the ultra-wealthy and corporations pay what they owe.

According to the Center for American Progress, the George W. Bush and Trump tax cuts have overwhelmingly benefited the wealthy and corporations while adding over $10 trillion to the national debt by the end of 2023.

If Republicans succeed in renewing the Trump tax cuts that expire in 2025, this will add another $3 trillion to the cost. Meanwhile, top-income individuals are paying about half what they paid in the 1980s, while corporate taxes have dropped from one third to less than 10% of the total federal revenue since mid-century.

These Bush and Trump tax cuts are responsible for 57% of the increase in the national debt as a percent of the economy since 2001.

In fact, billionaires are paying lower tax rates than middle class families, and some pay no federal taxes at all. Meanwhile spending on discretionary budget items, such as public safety, the environment, and infrastructure, have generally stayed flat for decade after decade since the 1960s.

It’s time for tax policy to reflect the priorities of working Americans, including robust funding for Social Security, Medicare, and care for children, the elderly, those with disabilities, those caring for family members who are ill, and working family tax credits. Demand Congress take action by adding your name now!

Thank you for doing your part to reduce the inequities in our system and support the quality of life of all Americans.

Robert Reich
Inequality Media Civic Action