John,

As working families struggle with rising costs and stagnant wages, a tiny handful of billionaires are weaponizing their vast, untaxed fortunes to reshape America to their liking. Our shocking new report reveals how just 150 billionaire families had, as of the end of August, already spent nearly $1.4 billion on the 2024 elections―more than billionaires spent over the entire 2020 campaign.[1]

But it's not just the amount that's alarming―it's how this money is being spent. Nearly two-thirds (65.6%) of this billionaire money is backing right-wing candidates who consistently push for tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy while threatening to strip away the rights and protections of everyday Americans.

The consequences of this billionaire buyout are dire. Republican candidates, flush with billionaire cash, are promising to extend the Trump tax cuts that overwhelmingly benefit the wealthy. When a handful of billionaires can spend more to influence our elections than millions of working Americans combined, the concept of "one person, one vote" is under threat.

But there's hope. We can fight back against this plutocratic takeover of our democracy by demanding Congress:

1. Overturn Citizens United: This disastrous Supreme Court decision opened the floodgates to unlimited corporate and billionaire spending in our elections.[2]

2. Pass the Billionaire Minimum Income Tax (BMIT): This groundbreaking proposal would ensure that the wealthiest Americans pay at least a 25% tax rate on their total income, including unrealized capital gains.[3]

We need your voice to make this happen. Tell Congress: Defend our democracy by overturning Citizens United and passing the Billionaire Minimum Income Tax!

The scale of this billionaire takeover attempt is unprecedented. The top five billionaire families alone, the Mellons, Griffins, Yasses, Uihleins, and Kochs have spent over $430 million, accounting for nearly a third of all billionaire political spending we uncovered.

Imagine what that $430 million could do if it were invested in the American people instead of used to buy political influence. It could provide millions of school lunches to hungry children. It could fund public housing for thousands struggling with homelessness. It could deliver healthcare to tens of thousands of kids who desperately need it. Or it could put thousands of new teachers in our classrooms, investing in the next generation.

We cannot allow the scales of our democracy to be tilted further in favor of the ultra-wealthy, concentrating power in the hands of the few at the expense of the many.

Add your name: Tell Congress to overturn Citizens United, pass the Billionaire Minimum Income Tax, and defend our democracy!

Together, we can build a political system that works for everyone, not just the billionaire class.

David Kass
Executive Director
Americans for Tax Fairness Action Fund

[1] BILLIONAIRES BUYING ELECTIONS 2024: Congressional Races
[2] Billionaire Spending Topped $1 Billion For the First Time in 2022 Elections
[3] Billionaire Minimum Income Tax