Dear John,

Two weeks ago, I testified in front of the House Judiciary Committee about the number one issue for voters right now: inflation.

Republicans on the committee tried to argue that the problem is "big government" and that the solution is to cut taxes for the rich and slash the social safety net.

Nonsense. The issue we need to focus on is corporate concentration — and that's exactly what I told them.

The entire American economy is concentrated into the hands of a few greedy corporate giants with the power to raise prices. What's to stop them? They won't lose any customers. Customers have nowhere else to go.

This is what Americans must understand when they go to vote this year. But to reach those voters, solely testifying before congressional committees isn't going to do the job. That's why Inequality Media Civic Action is producing dozens of viral videos and explainer posts to share with our millions of followers across social media. And as the midterm elections approach, Republicans' lies will only get louder, so we need to keep ramping up our efforts.

Will you chip in and help us continue to produce and distribute our proven-effective videos to make sure the American people see through the GOP lies about inflation and know the truth?

Since the 1990s, two-thirds of all U.S. industries have become more concentrated. The four biggest food companies control 82% of beef packing. The baby formula market is dominated by four companies. Just two companies get 70% of toothpaste sales. So when these companies raise prices, consumers have no choice but to pay up.

That's why prices keep rising even as corporate profits are at a 70-year high.

As Americans pay more at the pump, the stock prices of oil companies like Marathon Oil, Occidental Petroleum, and ConocoPhillips have doubled. Starbucks just raised prices after reporting a 31% increase in profits. Same with Tyson Foods, which posted $1 billion in profits last quarter — a 48% increase from last year. Get the picture?

There are solutions, like a windfall profits tax for price-gouging oil companies and stronger antitrust enforcement. But Republicans oppose both.

Make no mistake: Corporations are using inflation as a cover to hike prices and rake in record profits. It's absolutely critical that the American people understand what's really happening — or else they will end up electing Republicans who will only further consolidate markets and make things even worse.

Please chip in today and help make sure the American people know the truth about the hidden link between inflation and corporate greed.

Thanks for helping us set the record straight,

Robert Reich
Inequality Media Civic Action