Ask Rep. McCarthy to stop the millionaire bailout

Exciting news: Progressive Democrats in Congress are organizing to stop the awful "deal" to extend the Bush tax breaks for the top 2%. A group of progressive House Democrats led by Representative Welch are organizing a letter saying they won't vote for another tax bailout for millionaires. Can you call Rep. McCarthy and ask her to sign on? Representative Carolyn McCarthy Phone: 202-225-5516 Report your call! Elizabeth Edwards passed away yesterday at the age of 61 after a long battle with breast cancer. She was a true progressive hero and always fought with heart and passion to make the lives of all Americans better. You can send your sympathies to her family by signing this condolence card.

Dear MoveOn member,

Exciting news: Progressive Democrats in Congress are organizing to stop the awful "deal" to extend the Bush tax breaks for the top 2%, and Representative Carolyn McCarthy could make a huge difference. Here's what's happening:

Senator Bernie Sanders said he would do everything in his power to stop it, and Representatives Chris Van Hollen and Steny Hoyer said that the deal was still in play and had not yet been agreed to by the House.¹

Now a group of progressive representatives in the House, led by Representative Peter Welch, are trying to build support to block any deal that would extend George Bush's millionaire bailout. But they need more Democrats to join in with them to really make an impact.

Can you call Rep. McCarthy and ask her to sign on to the Welch letter opposing more tax bailouts for the rich?

Here's where to call:

Representative Carolyn McCarthy
Phone: 202-225-5516

Then, please report your call by clicking here:

http://pol.moveon.org/call?tg=FHNY_04&cp_id=1497&id=25412-10220574-1n7Oryx&t=4

The deal President Obama agreed to with Republicans would extend the Bush tax breaks for the top 2% of earners for two years, extend unemployment insurance for 13 months, and cut the payroll tax for one year, among other things.²

But it is meeting with widespread opposition. Senator Mary Landrieu made a compelling case against the deal because it extended tax breaks for the rich. Here's what she said.

"We're going to borrow $46 billion from the poor, from the middle class, from businesses of all sizes basically to give a tax cut to families in America today, that despite the recession, are making over a million dollars. I mean, this is unprecedented. Unprecedented. I want to repeat that...

....The median net worth of African-American families—net worth, not income—in this country today, according to our census, is $5,000. You want me to repeat that? $5,000. So we are borrowing money from constituencies, and large segments of the population like this."³

Extending tax breaks for millionaires is terrible politics and bad policy, too. According to Nobel Prize-winning economist Paul Krugman, even a temporary extension would cost more than other measures—like aid to the unemployed or small businesses—that will have a greater impact on the economy by helping those who need it most.⁴ But instead, this deal would give an additional $83,347 to the top 1% of earners.⁵

This deal is not done yet and if more Democrats come out against it we can help make sure Washington does not pass more bailouts for millionaires. Please call Rep. McCarthy today.

Thanks for all you do.

–Nita, Kat, Amy, Joan, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. "Hoyer: No Dem Agreement On Tax Cuts; Deal Could Still Change," Talking Points Memo, December 7, 2010
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205418&id=25412-10220574-1n7Oryx&t=5

"Obama-GOP tax deal agitates Democrats," The Seattle Times, December 7, 2010
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205412&id=25412-10220574-1n7Oryx&t=6

"Sen. Sanders Threatens To Filibuster Obama Tax Deal," YouTube, December 6, 2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAboE_ahSa4

2. "Deal Struck on Tax Package," The Wall Street Journal, December 7, 2010
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205416&id=25412-10220574-1n7Oryx&t=7

3. "Mary Landrieu: 'Obama-McConnell' Plan Is 'Almost Morally Corrupt'" The Huffington Post, December 7, 2010
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205419&id=25412-10220574-1n7Oryx&t=8

4. "Richest Americans could buy a $83,000 Mercedes every year if Bush tax cuts extended, or light 800 pricey cigars with $100 bills," The Raw Story, November 19, 2010
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205415&id=25412-10220574-1n7Oryx&t=9

5. "Tax Cuts For The Rich? No, " The New York Times, September 17, 2010
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205214&id=25412-10220574-1n7Oryx&t=10

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