Why I'm Calling My Reps to Ask For True Tax Reform That Benefits Those Who Need It

[raccoon]

by Nancy Turner

Sen. Bernie Sanders has referred to the Senate tax bill as one of the “great robberies” in US history, as it allows the Republicans to loot the US Treasury.

The Republicans chose to take from veterans, the disabled, seniors, students, teachers and public education to give to their real constituents — the wealthy and corporations. Both groups are sitting on massive amounts of cash, which they use to buy members of Congress and fund so-called think tanks. These officials and think tanks then propose, support and vote for legislation that enriches their paymasters. Buying government like this subverts democracy for the many and turns it into an oligarchy for the few.

The Republicans purposely designed this bill to explode the deficit. Then, when the deficit skyrockets, they will demand cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security and other safety net programs. (My note: Sure they did--that's their MO.) Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) has already said that the US cannot afford to fund programs like CHIP, the children’s health insurance program, because it spends too much – and while he considers the children served by this program worthy of funding, but denigrated other “freeloaders” who expect the federal government to provide for them instead of making their own way.
…

Voters should keep calling their senators and representatives — especially the Republican representatives who voted for the House version of the legislation — until they enact true tax reform that benefits those who need it instead of those who simply want it.

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/12/12/why-im-calling-my-reps-ask-true-tax-reform-benefits-those-who-need-it

[BigmanPigman]

1. I call them every day.

I found a way to get around the address/constituent problem. I live in a blue state and call the 9 who are on the fence.
The GOP propaganda machine wants us to believe that it is and that is why they are pushing it through. They do not want the calls, town halls, blocked hallways, etc. They think we do not know that bit is a scam and if we do they don't want the word to get out hampering their clandestine efforts.
That is GOP wishful thinking so DO NOT FALL FOR IT. They need 51 votes, after Jan ast they will need 60. Our voices are being heard by them and they are scared...and should be. Only 28% of Americans approve of it.
DITRACTIONS are all over and expect more daily. If people on DU would fight the Tax Scam as much as they fight Franken's resignation their energy would be used to stop it dead in its tracks.
This is NOT OVER! People have been organizing and there is a lot that YOU, me and everyone we know can do and DO it NOW!

I was part of the Not One Penny nationwide phone call with Indivisible, Cory Booker, Bernie, MoveOn, etc. We all need to get up and be active instead of whining that it is over, that is GOP and MSM BS used to distract us. The bill is not a win, it is a disaster and we can stop it. There are still a few weeks left and the three things we must do...
1. Attend protests, town halls, etc and make sure the media is there, no matter how big or small it is. The media has been absent due to the non stop distractions. There are many important issues but this is our BIGGEST PRIORITY for the next few weeks.
2. Keep up the CALLS. They started late but eventually their staffers were busy ...call, tell your family and friends in other states to call too. [phone]
https://www.trumptaxscam.org/
3. Social media is crucial. Retweet and share whatever you can. Send it to the media. Events, town halls, protests are occurring and over 100 are planned for this week alone. Bernie, Cory Booker, Indivisible, MoveOn have been going to Kentucky, Ohio and PA all weekend.

New info is already coming out. One new fact since the Fri vote is that there will be 1/2 trillion more dollars added to the deficit. Only 28% of Americans approve of the Tax Scam. This week Ryan will appoint Repub to his closed door "conference committee" and then we can target those reps. The house and senate have to "negotiate a compromise". What they voted on is different in each chamber. For now we know of 28 Rep congressmen who voted against one of the two bills/plans. We need to flip 23 of them. The Senate will need to be PRESSURED NON STOP...this means calling the 9 senators that were wavering. If we get Alabama we only need two more senators with Corker. This would be great.
We have been the catalysts of the grass roots efforts for a year and have stopped major legislation. We have a few more weeks until the holidays. After that we have to spread the word about what the GOP has done to the stability and future of our country with this tax cut for the rich and they are taking money from the sick and poor which will bankrupt millions and take over 13 million off of health care. Meanwhile tax cuts for multi million dollar corporations will not be trickling down at all and never will. The bill ensures that the country will be taxed more over the next 10 year (but not the corporations...you and me are paying).
Call [phone]

We must HAMMER them on this bill. Put pressure on these greedy, cruel eastwards and DO NOT STOP!