Invest in America's Future Campaign
What's at Stake?
In November and December Congress returns to work. It will confront an economy that has left nearly 15 million Americans unemployed and another seven million displaced by the economic crisis. Congress needs to get back to work and immediately extend unemployment benefits to prevent millions more from falling through the cracks. And this Congress needs to pass a middle class tax cut and end the Bush-era giveaways to millionaires who don't need it. We must protect safety net programs like Social Security. To read more click here.
What's at Stake?
JOBS, INCOME, FINANCIAL SECURITY
Tell Congress:
- Extend unemployment benefits until the economy improves!
- Create jobs — not another tax cut for the rich and wealthy corporations!
- Gutting Social Security is not a solution to the deficit. Protect Social Security and end wasteful spending
Call Congress today at 202-225-3121.
- News Coverage: Listen to NJCA's election analysis on WBAI News.
"One Nation Working Together" Rally
On October 2, 2010 in Washington DC, NJ Citizen Action proudly joined in the "One Nation Working Together" Rallly, along with tens of thousands of other people, representing over 170 human and civil rights organizations, labor unions, and environmental, ethnic, peace, youth and student, and faith-based organizations.
In this time of economic crisis, banksters and corporate lobbyists have made off with trillions of public dollars while small businesses can't get loans and cities are laying off teachers, police, and firefighters.
But we believe everyone deserves the opportunity to achieve the American Dream — a secure job, a safe home, and a quality education. So we come together to refocus our national priorities on greater investments in the well-being of all Americans.
- News Coverage: "One Nation Working Together Rally" (C-SPAN – October2, 2010), "Group To March On D.C. To Demand Change" (New Jersey 101.5 FM Radio – September 9, 2010), "One Nation Working Together Rally" (Asbury Park Press – September 8, 2010).
Call Congress & Tell Them to End the Bush Tax Cuts for the Wealthiest Americans
Congress will soon debate the future of the Bush era tax cuts that are due to expire at the end of the year. The President has proposed to extend the tax cuts for middle class and working families (those making less than $250,000). He has also said we should not extend the tax cuts for the top 2% of taxpayers, those who earn over $250,000. We think the President is right.
Don't let tax relief for everyone be held hostage to an additional tax cut for the wealthiest 2% of Americans. Republicans in Congress have stated very clearly that they want to fall back to the failed policies of the past: tax breaks for the wealthiest and spending cuts for everyone else. We need a plan to address the jobs crisis — not tax cuts that are inefficient and ineffective.
Take Action! 1) Call your Congressperson and Senators (find their contact information here) AND 2) email them (click here).
For more information and to endorse the New Jersey Americans for Responsible Taxes campaign click here, or contact Lauren Townsend at 732-246-4772, ext. 22, or lauren@njcitizenaction.org.
Americans for Responsible Taxes
Strengthening the American Economy through Accountability and Responsibility
Americans are struggling to recover from the deepest recession since the Great Depression. Action is needed to create jobs and strengthen the economy. But Americans are also concerned about growing deficits and believe that that steps are needed to put our budget back on a sustainable path.
Responsible spending decisions will be needed but we must also ensure we can pay for vital services that people depend on and investments in our nations' future. We can start to address this by asking wealthy individuals and corporations to pay their fair share of taxes so that America remains competitive and the door to economic opportunity stays open.
To ensure that big corporations and wealthy individuals pay their fair share, and to return this country to a responsible and economically sound fiscal policy, we are calling on our Members of Congress to support these five goals as the pillars for tax policy in 2010:
- Allow the 2001 and 2003 tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans to expire this year as scheduled.
- Ward off billions in new tax cuts for the very rich by maintaining a strong federal estate tax.
- Eliminate tax loopholes for big corporations and the very wealthy, and hold Wall Street accountable.
- Ensure economic security for working families.
- Stop ineffective and wasteful tax cuts.
Take Action! Download the Americans for Responsible Taxes sign-on form and email it to adam@njcitizenaction.org.
For more information, contact Lauren Townsend at 732-246-4772, ext. 22, or lauren@njcitizenaction.org. For additional details about Americans for Responsible Taxes visit www.responsibletaxes.org.
THANK YOU for Making New Jersey History!
On May 22, 2010, 35,000 community activists, teachers, public, law enforcement and safety service workers, nurses, social service providers, civil rights leaders, environmentalists, small business owners, women's rights and good government advocates, disability activists, seniors, parents and students, completely took over the streets in front of the Capital in Trenton to protest Christie's budget cuts and demand the restoration of the millionaire's tax. It was by far the largest rally ever recorded in Trenton.
There is no doubt our voices were heard.
Thank you to everyone who supported this demonstration, spread the word and spent your Saturday telling our elected representatives that we demand a state that protects our most vulnerable, supports our residents during times of economic trouble and requires that everyone pays their fair share.
News Coverage
- "Newark Rally Attacks Crisis Of Foreclosure And Homelessnessl" (FightBack! News – June 3, 2010)
- "Rally For Everyone" (Star-Ledger – May 29, 2010)
- "While Thousands Of People Go To Trenton, Christie Hides At The Race Track (NJ.com – May 25, 2010)
- "Statehouse Rally Wraps Up, Gov. Christie's Spokesman Responds" (Star-Ledger – May 22 ,2010)
- "Tomorrow's Statehouse Rally: What To Expect" (Star-Ledger– May 21, 2010)
- "NOW-NJ Endorses May 22 Rally In Trenton" (Newark Progressive Examiner – May 15, 2010)
- "Citizen Action Busing Folks To Trenton For May 22 Budget Protest" (The Jersey City Independent – Mary 14, 2010)
- "Trenton Rally Planned For Next Month To Protest Gov. Chris Christie's Proposed Budget Cuts" (NorthJersey.com – April 30, 2010)
For more information, contact Lauren Townsend at 732-246-4772, ext. 22, or lauren@njcitizenaction.org.
Jobs and Economic Recovery Bill
President Obama signed the final Jobs and Economic Recovery bill into law and thanks to the help of NJCA's members and allies, we were able to weaken an amendment that would have forced states to guarantee utility company profits if a state were to accepted money for energy assistance programs.
In addition to this victory for ratepayers, New Jersey will see billions of dollars coming to our state in the form of direct aid, tax cuts and infrastructure programs that will put people to work. Visit the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities website to see a state by state breakdown of the key provisions in the Jobs and Economic Recovery bill that will impact low and moderate income residents.
This legislation is a good first step, but a full economic recovery will require much more. We need to put an end to the foreclosure crisis, ensure everyone has access to affordable quality health care, a secure retirement and quality education from preschool to college.
NJCA's Jim Walsh on New Jersey NOW
On the May 7, 2009 broadcast of New Jersey Now, NJ Citizen Action Program Director Jim Walsh proposes common sense solutions to rebuild and renew New Jersey while supporting and helping small business owners in the Garden State. Watch the news broadcast on YouTube.
Invest in America's Future (IAF)
Guaranteeing health care for all... greatly expanding educational opportunities from cradle through college... achieving energy independence through clean energy and conservation... strengthening our national security by safely ending the war in Iraq... rolling back the tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans and big corporations — these are sensible, practical policies that address the urgency of change.
The Invest in America's Future (IAF) Plan calls for a change in America's priorities. Instead of tax breaks for powerful corporate interests and billions of dollars for disastrous, endless war in Iraq, America should make critical investments that help American families succeed. To pay for these investments, Congress would eliminate recently passed tax cuts for corporations and the wealthy, and enact new measures to hold government accountable and reduce corruption and waste.
NEW! (March 19, 2009) Read the press coverage of our March 19, 2009 "Rebuild & Renew America Now" March and Vigil in New Brunswick. Photo Gallery for the event coming soon! NEW! "Rebuild & Renew America" March and Vigil Slideshow (separate page)
The Plan
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The IAF agenda reaches beyond partisan politics and speaks to the aspirations of Americans for a path forward to a new era of prosperity and opportunity for all, but we can only reach this ambitious agenda by mobilizing the majority of voters who support this agenda. The 2008 elections can be a powerful mandate for this investment agenda. That is why we are moving forward this year to:
- Help current and future members of Congress to be strong champions for the IAF Agenda.
- Build grassroots coalitions and activate grassroots constituencies, on the ground and online, in favor of the agenda.
- Mobilize and persuade voters to help make the 2008 elections a mandate for change.
- Act immediately after the election, demanding that the new President and Congress write and pass a federal budget that reflects this mandate, including focusing our organizing program to ensure that the tax cuts for the wealthy do expire at the end of 2010, pass health care for all, and end the war in Iraq.
Take Action! Click here to sign-on to support IAF. Please return the completed form to Crystal Snedden by email crystals@njcitizenaction.org or fax 973-643-8100.
More About IAF
Media: Read the extensive press coverage of IAF. Media Releases (March 19, 2008): "NJCA and Community Organizations Join Nationwide Day of Action Marking 5th Anniversary of Iraq War" and "NJCA and Central Jersey Coalition Against Endless War Join Nationwide Day of Action Marking 5th Anniversary of Iraq War". Photos from our March 28, 2008 Bush Protest in Freehold, NJ.
Resources: USAction Education Fund Report: Getting U.S. Back on Track: Congress needs to reverse the upside-down priorities – from Washington to Iraq – that are shortchanging New Jersey families and communities. Video: See a broadcast of our Tax Day Protest (from the Home News Tribune).
For more information, visit noiraqescalation.org.
$3 Trillion Shopping Spree!!!
The occupation of Iraq will cost $3 trillion, America's most expensive conflict since WWII.
Can YOU spend that money better? Watch the video at YouTube, then go on a virtual $3 trillion shopping spree and prove it at 3trillion.org.
Allies
Visit these organizations to learn more about additional actions and events being organized against the war on Iraq: