by: Rev. Marilyn Pagán-Banks
“Cheat the poor to make a profit or give gifts to the rich—either way you lose.” Proverb 22:16
I like the Proverbs—they often go right to the heart of the matter. Nuggets of wisdom directed at a nation needing direction on how to live and be a liberated, prosperous, whole and holy people. A nation accountable to God and to one another’s well-being—shalom.
This particular Proverb speaks to an important issue we face in this country today. Congress must decide whether to begin to restore basic fairness to our tax system by ending the Bush-era income tax cuts for the richest two percent—households with income above $250,000 a year—while extending the tax cuts for 98 percent of Americans.
Last week the US Senate voted 51-48 on legislation that would extend the Bush-era income tax cuts to households earning up to $250,000. The House of Representatives will be voting later this week.
If the tax cuts are not allowed to expire for those earning over $250,000—the richest two percent of the country—it would cost the federal government $68 billion dollars in 2013! This is equal to what will be spent in 2012 on the following programs combined: infrastructure, K-12 education, head start, school breakfast, clean water funds and meals for homebound seniors.
We each need to urge our representatives to vote to end the Bush-era tax cuts for the richest two percent. Call your member of Congress now at (888) 744-9958.
We lose as a nation when everyone does not pay their fair share of taxes. The well-being of our nation is compromised when we give tax breaks to the rich while at the same time eliminating vital social services for the most vulnerable. There is no shalom when we put profit before people.
Call your member of Congress TODAY at (888) 744-9958.