Winners (grey) and losers (red). Chart by PBS, from Congressional Budget Office data After the election in November 2016, progressives became active in droves. I went to meeting after meeting where many people said they had never been politically active before. Over and over, experienced leaders warned that we should expect to suffer some major losses, but we must carry on regardless.
In the middle of the night Saturday (at about 1:50 a.m. Eastern time), we suffered such a major loss with the passage in the Senate of a tax-reform bill that would radically increase the already disastrous transfer of wealth to the very richest of the rich. It is not yet ready to become law — it will still be difficult for the House and Senate to reconcile their different versions — but its ultimate passage, while not assured, is more likely than it was before this vote.
Unless and until this bill becomes law, the Republicans have still not completed any major legislation after a full year in control of Congress and the White House. That’s due to their own internal divisions; but also to a major extent, it’s due to us.
This is a dark day, but it has been long delayed. Let’s not lose sight of that; it’s a huge achievement. Moreover, the majority of the public is aware that this bill is a sucker-punch to everyone but the super-rich, and that may help the Republicans lose control in next year’s election. In communicating with Tennessee voters on this issue yesterday and today, I’ve heard from dozens of people who see this as a personal hit on them and will not forget that.
In the middle of the night Saturday (at about 1:50 a.m. Eastern time), we suffered such a major loss with the passage in the Senate of a tax-reform bill that would radically increase the already disastrous transfer of wealth to the very richest of the rich. It is not yet ready to become law — it will still be difficult for the House and Senate to reconcile their different versions — but its ultimate passage, while not assured, is more likely than it was before this vote.
Unless and until this bill becomes law, the Republicans have still not completed any major legislation after a full year in control of Congress and the White House. That’s due to their own internal divisions; but also to a major extent, it’s due to us.
This is a dark day, but it has been long delayed. Let’s not lose sight of that; it’s a huge achievement. Moreover, the majority of the public is aware that this bill is a sucker-punch to everyone but the super-rich, and that may help the Republicans lose control in next year’s election. In communicating with Tennessee voters on this issue yesterday and today, I’ve heard from dozens of people who see this as a personal hit on them and will not forget that.
Let’s be ready to remind voters across the country how this bill will affect them. The November election will be just two months before people start filing their 2018 tax returns; we can use that occasion to show them how bad their 2018 and subsequent returns will look. This is the silver lining within this dark cloud; let’s be prepared to make full use of it in the year ahead.
In the meantime, we’ll continue the fight to prevent final passage of this #GOPtaxscam. The House and Senate versions are very different; however those differences are reconciled, the adjustments could still lose votes for the final bill. One way you can be active: sign up now to join the Working Families Party’s activist team. WFP volunteers (myself included) are texting and calling voters throughout the country opposing the worst regressive national policies, including this bill, as well as supporting progressive candidates at all levels.
Yes, this is a dark day, but in the words of Florence + the Machine, “I like to keep my issues strong — it’s always darkest before the dawn.”
In the meantime, we’ll continue the fight to prevent final passage of this #GOPtaxscam. The House and Senate versions are very different; however those differences are reconciled, the adjustments could still lose votes for the final bill. One way you can be active: sign up now to join the Working Families Party’s activist team. WFP volunteers (myself included) are texting and calling voters throughout the country opposing the worst regressive national policies, including this bill, as well as supporting progressive candidates at all levels.
Yes, this is a dark day, but in the words of Florence + the Machine, “I like to keep my issues strong — it’s always darkest before the dawn.”
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