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And the consensus is…for H6095!

Today, the House Finance Committee heard testimony on H6095, the ’95/5′ tax that would solve our state’s budget deficit in a responsible way by asking those who can best afford it to join all the other Rhode Islanders who are “sharing the sacrifice.”

And it was pretty clear which side Rhode Islanders came down on. Nearly twenty small business-owners, activists, college and high school students, and community members turned out to speak about the vital importance of generating new revenue in a fair way that doesn’t hurt the working families and small businesses on which our economy depends. And the opposition? They seemed pretty lonely, the three of them–a Tea Partier, a lobbyist for the Chamber of Commerce, and Ken Block (who attacked H6095 but, when asked if there were a better way of raising the revenue necessary to balance the budget, said the personal income tax was indeed the fairest possible way…I guess he just doesn’t want a balanced budget?).

In fact, nearly every member of the Finance Committee present at the hearing expressed support for the bill. But we’re not in the clear yet–we’ve still got a ways to go, so please call your state legislators today to ask them to support H6095, for a fairer and stronger Rhode Island.

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Of Course The World Didn’t End Saturday, Jesus Would Definitely Return On A Monday

According to the wacky guy that started this rather entertaining rumor, all of the Christians were supposed to be whisked away to paradise by the second coming of Christ on Saturday.  Do you really think Jesus, “Mr. Common Man”, would return on a Saturday?  How insensitive would that be?  You slave all week at work; sit down to enjoy a beer on a spring day, and you’re interrupted by the rapture.

In good humor, this is how it would have gone down had all the Christians disappeared into the sky on Saturday:

Obama would have been super pumped by the news.  Being a secret Muslim he wouldn’t have gotten taken up, however two thirds of his Republican opponents’ voting base would have.  Jesus’ return would have made Obama’s re-election a sure thing.

The non-Christian Republicans would have lost a major issue to complain about.  Considering most of the illegal Hispanics are catholic, they would have been taken and this would leave the Republicans lacking their favorite scapegoat.

Wall Street would have survived because the Hebrews would have been stuck here with the rest of us.  However, the stock prices of companies like Wal-Mart, Nascar, the WWF, and any firearms manufacturer would have taken a huge hit.

Unfortunately, the middle east peace process would still be mess because neither the Muslims or Jews would have disappeared so that fight would still be on.  China, lacking any religion, would have still been a pain in our ass.

What would have been positive is the legalization of marijuana would pass quickly with the conservative Christians gone.  Who needs to go to heaven when we can all have it here right?

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Analysis: Giveaways to Wealthy are Largest Contributor to U.S. Debt

An analysis by the non-partisan Center for Budget and Policy Priorities has found that the Bush-era tax cuts are the single largest contributor to the United States’ public debt, far bigger than the economic downturn, the measures enacted to combat it (including the 2009 Recovery Act), and the financial rescue legislation.

As the analysis stated, “Simply letting the Bush tax cuts expire on schedule (or paying for any portions that policymakers decide to extend) would stabilize the debt-to-GDP ratio for the next decade.”

If that’s the case at the federal level, think about the role the Carcieri breaks to the wealthy have played in Rhode Island’s fiscal situation. We can’t afford to keep slashing services for the poor and raising property taxes for working families to produce bigger and bigger handouts to the state’s most fortunate.

And this week, you have the opportunity to stand up against these failed policies! H6095, the 95/5 Civic Responsibility bill (which would raise $134 million in FY2012 by restoring upper-bracket rates to their previous levels, affecting only 5% of Rhode Islanders) has a hearing before the House Finance Committee this Thursday at 1pm. We know conservative groups will be there to try to drown out the voice of reason, which is why it’s so important that supporters of fair taxes join us Thursday. If you have a story about how the inequality of the current tax structure is hurting you, those are the stories that our legislators need to be hearing.

So come out Thursday at 1pm! RSVP on Facebook or email rifairtaxes@gmail.com with questions or if you’d like to testify.

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95/5 Civic Responsibility!

Yesterday, Rep. Valencia held a press conference for his new income tax reform bill, H6095, which he’s calling the 95/5 Civic Responsibility bill. The 95/5 bill would raise an estimated $130 million in FY2012 and protect our state’s working families from even more painful and irresponsible service cuts. As the Projo reports:

“It asks the most fortunate among us, a mere 5 percent of Rhode Islanders, to chip in a little more,” said Valencia, a Richmond Democrat who has filed a bill that would put the proposed changes into state law. “To date, only the other 95 percent of the people have been required to pay their fair share.”

NOW is the time to let your legislators know about the importance of supporting H6095. Please take a minute to call your state representative and state senator, and then call Speaker Gordon Fox at 401-222-2466 to tell him to include H6095 in this year’s budget!

And if you really care about responsible revenue generation, please join RAFT at our next fair tax canvasses around this bill, this Saturday 11am-2pm and Sunday 12-3pm at 69 Brown Street. RSVP at rifairtaxes@gmail.com.