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Dear MoveOn member,
I sent you a simple request last Sunday—to support MoveOn's elections program with a small donation. The response so far has been overwhelming—over $500,000 raised from more than 14,065 grassroots donors. Here's a bit more context on why this effort is so important.
Simply put: America's economy is in bad shape and we're all in deep trouble.Saving the economy—for all of us, not just the wealthy few—is going to take the kind of fundamental changes that a Republican-led Senate absolutely won't make.
That's why we have to stop the Senate takeover that's being predicted by today's major pollsters and pundits.
I'm asking you to join me in supporting MoveOn's campaign to save the Senate because I'm impressed by their ambitious goal, and I'm impressed by their strategy—it's one that I think will work. I've also looked at the candidates that MoveOn is endorsing, and they're strong progressives who will fight for the little guy.
Can you chip in $3 today to help MoveOn save the Senate?
It's been six years since the start of the Great Recession and yet there's no recovery in sight for the vast majority of Americans. As someone who's spent my entire adult life studying and teaching economics—and helping to set economic policy as President Clinton's Secretary of Labor—I'm worried. Honestly, I'm beyond worried at this point—I'm downright embarrassed we've let it get this bad. How did we get here? "Trickle down" economics.
You see, conservatives believe the economy functions better if the rich have more money and everyone else has less—they believe, in other words, that their wealth will trickle down to the rest of us. But they're wrong. It's just the opposite.
Will you stand with me and chip in $3 today to help MoveOn save the Senate?
We've seen rays of light recently. Progressives have taken office in major cities like New York and Seattle. Fast food workers are striking for fairer wages. Democrats have introduced a modest (but still insufficient) raise in the minimum wage.
All of these are good signs. But the only way to grow the economy in a way that benefits the 90% of us being left behind is to significantly change its structure.
The problem is, putting the building blocks back in place for an economy that benefits everyone is going to be all but impossible with a Republican Senate. It's been hard enough with a Republican House—now imagine giving the GOP control of yet another branch of government.
Can you chip in $3 to help save the Senate, and our economy?
Yes, I'll chip in to help save the Senate, so we can save our economy.
America's wealthy are richer than they've ever been. Big corporations are sitting on more cash than they know what to do with. Corporate profits are at record levels. And yet, 90% of Americans have actually lost ground since the "recovery" began in 2009. Chances are, you're either in that 90% or know someone who is—and you're simply not hearing stories like yours in the news.
Yet I believe that no matter how dismal things can seem, in the long term, people-powered movements and organizations like MoveOn can help us get to where we need to be: Stronger unions. A higher minimum wage. Better schools for the children of the 90 percent. Better access to higher education. And a more progressive tax system.
Those are basic desires that the vast majority of Americans share—and in fact, having those things is arguably the reason our country prospered so much during the middle of the last century.
That long-term fight is critically important. And I'll be there along the way, working with MoveOn to create the economy we need to thrive.
But here's the thing: we have to focus on the short term, too. The single most important action you can take right now to preserve a chance at fixing our economy is to help save the Senate from a Republican takeover this fall.
Can you chip in $3 to help MoveOn save the Senate?
Despite where things are today, I remain hopeful that America will once again be the beacon of opportunity that it was once—and more. But I think it's important we recognize exactly where we stand right now—and the measures we'll have to take, like saving the Senate, to preserve our chance at a comeback.
That comeback won't come overnight—just like getting into this mess didn't happen overnight.
I truly believe, however, that we can still build an economy that works for everyone, not just the wealthy few. To do it, we'll need leaders in Congress who are willing to tackle the tough issues of our time—so let's make sure that's who we elect.
Thanks for all you do.–Robert Reich
Robert Reich, Chancellor's Professor of Public Policy at the University of California at Berkeley and Senior Fellow at the Blum Center for Developing Economies, was Secretary of Labor in the Clinton administration. Time Magazine named him one of the ten most effective cabinet secretaries of the twentieth century. He has written thirteen books, including the best sellers "Aftershock" and "The Work of Nations." His latest, "Beyond Outrage," is now out in paperback. He is also a founding editor of the American Prospect magazine and chairman of Common Cause. His new film, "Inequality for All," is now available on Netflix, iTunes, DVD, and On Demand.
Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 8 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Start a monthly donation here or chip in a one-time donation here.
PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on October 12, 2014. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.
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