Category Archives: NunsontheBus2018

Studying the Damaging Effects of the Republican Tax Law

Studying the Damaging Effects of the Republican Tax Law

Laura Peralta-Schulte, NETWORK Senior Government Relations Associate
October 17, 2018

On December 22, 2017 President Trump signed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act into law. The new law significantly rewrites the tax code to make wide-reaching, regressive changes to our federal tax system, largely benefiting corporations and the highest-income households with little relief for middle and lower-income households. The law also permanently eliminates the individual mandate of the Affordable Care Act, hurting the viability of our healthcare system. These major changes did not receive a public hearing in either chamber before passing on a nearly party-line vote. Republican Congressional leadership put the bill on a fast track to President Trump’s desk from day one.

NETWORK opposed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act because it violated basic principles of tax fairness and encouraged even greater economic inequality. The bill violated NETWORK’s Principles of Tax Justice, which state that any changes to our tax policy must: make the tax code more progressive, raise revenue to support programs that invest in people and communities, and decrease inequality. The law fails to do these, in fact, it adds $1.9 trillion to the federal deficit over ten years, draining the treasury of valuable revenue for human needs programs.

Since passing the law, President Trump and House Republicans, like Speaker Paul Ryan, have used the increase in the deficit as justification for proposing deep cuts to programs including Medicaid, Medicare, the Affordable Care Act, Social Security, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. It is clear that the Trump Administration and the Congressional Republicans would like to cut funding for these programs to pay for their tax law.

Despite increased annual corporate profits this year, corporate tax revenue is more than $100 billion lower than last year because of the law’s corporate tax rate cut. These corporate tax cuts are not trickling down. Nine months since the law went into effect, working families have not received the economic benefit they were promised. 4.4% of workers have gotten a pay hike or bonus connected to the tax law— only about 7 million out of 155 million— and most increases were a one-time bonus, not a permanent wage increase.

The provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act put our country on a dangerous path to higher economic inequality and decreased investment in our communities. We must put an end to these policies that enrich those who are already thriving and make changes to help those struggling while generating reasonable revenue for responsible programs.

 

Congressional Votes on the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act by State

See how your Members of Congress voted on last year’s tax law here and hold them accountable for their votes!

Nuns on the Bus Catches Up with Ms. Bobbie in Saint Louis

Nuns on the Bus 2018 Catches Up with Ms. Bobbie in Saint Louis

October 17, 2018

Nuns on the Bus first met Ms. Bobbie in Saint Louis in 2014 at our Town Hall. In 2015, Nuns on the Bus visited Ms. Bobbie to learn about the work she was doing with Voices of Women about gentrification in her neighborhood.

We were so excited to run into Ms. Bobbie again during our 2018 Tax Justice Truth Tour. Watch below to hear the latest from her.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uht6JVAzYeY]

Travel Log: Omaha

Travel Log: Omaha

Sister Ilaria Buonriposi, CMS
October 16, 2018

On a crisp and sunny morning, we stopped by the office of Representative Don Bacon (NE-02) to talk with him about the consequences his vote for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will have on the majority of Nebraskans. Weeks in advance, NETWORK tried to get a meeting with his office, but his office’s busy schedule did not have any openings.

Despite that, when our bus arrived outside his office, there were more than 50 Nebraskans ready to rally with us and make their voices heard.

Julie Kalkowski, of Financial Hope Collaborative- an organization that assists low-to-moderate income families in finding financial stability- spoke about the impact that the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act has on the lives of real people, and she helped us to read what is really behind what may seem to be positive numbers on the surface. For example, the income gap between women and men has diminished not because women earn more than they did before, but because men earn less.

Our second speaker, Mary Lee Brock, shared that many people are insulted when someone says they are poor because they do not want to work. The reality is that they work three or four jobs, but still cannot make ends meet. She reminded us that when affordable housing was cut in the 1980s, homelessness became normal in Omaha, affecting the whole city; family and personal financial health benefit the entire community.

At that point, a small ‘miracle’ happened: we got notice that Representative Bacon’s District Director was willing to meet with some of us who had gathered. The office also sent staff outside to collect the other constituents’ information and concerns.

Those who visited with Rep. Bacon’s District Director reported that he took notes and listened to what they had to say. That’s the power of democracy: when constituents who care about the Common Good gather and show that they care, politicians listen.

View photos from this event here.

Reflection: Nuns on the Bus Week 1

Reflection: Nuns on the Bus Week One

Sister Phyllis Tierney, SSJ
October 16, 2018

My sleep-deprived body is home after an exhilarating and exhausting week with Nuns on the Bus, joining Sister Simone Campbell and NETWORK staff to spread the message that tax justice is not achieved by permanent income tax breaks that benefit the wealthy but deprive people in poverty of programs that help to maintain their health and wellbeing.  On Sunday, October 7, I took an early morning flight from Rochester to Los Angeles to join nine other Sisters and NETWORK staff on a week of adventure and spreading the message of the need for economic justice for all.

Monday morning began with an opening rally and bus blessing on Santa Monica Beach.  Sister Simone greeted the crowd and explained our mission, “Reasonable revenue for responsible programs.”

Take-Aways from this experience:

The first evening that we gathered, Simone gave each of the bus riders a simple bracelet: a piece of elastic with one glass bead that symbolizes Hope: a hope that we bring with us and a hope that we share with all that we encounter, that together we can bring about a change, a conversion of heart, metanoia, so that we will see tax justice as caring for our neighbor in need, and not just the accumulation of wealth for ourselves.  From the Kick-Off Rally with Representatives Nancy Pelosi and Jimmy Gomez to the Town Hall for Justice in Tucson that was attended by approximately 200 people (by my scan, at least!) there was great enthusiasm and appreciation for Nuns on the Bus and our message. We also encountered those who didn’t like us and really didn’t like Democrats, but it was important to hear those voices because they signify the deep divisions in our country. We were blessed by the visit to Homeboy Industries founded by Fr. Greg Boyle.  Workers shared their stories of “Fr. G.’s” belief in them when they had given up believing in themselves.  My eyes teared when George shared with us that his son asked “Are you ever going to love us? Do we even exist for you?”  Today, he can say “I can only save myself…I do this because I have to give back to my community.”  Today George has his family back and George is here to help others who are trying to fight their way back from addictions and gang membership.

Tuesday in Las Vegas we met members of the Culinary Union 226 who are fighting for hospitality workers in the casinos. This union represents immigrants from 173 countries.  Its composition is 54% Latino and 55% women. Its diverse membership speaks over 40 different languages! They are working for new contracts for 2000 workers in three casinos whose owners have refused to give them the pay and working conditions they are entitled to, yet spend millions of dollars on their own personal entitlements and gifts to charities where their name is recognized.

On Wednesday morning we accompanied workers who took voluntary furloughs from their jobs and cuts in pay to work for the union canvassing the community to identify residents who have not voted in recent elections and to encourage them to register and vote for candidates that will support workers and fight for tax laws that benefit the working class, not corporations!

These dedicated canvassers have been working from 9 am to 7 pm six days a week!  They return to addresses where no one is at home during the day to try to personally speak with voters they are trying to reach.  We spent only about an hour and a half in the morning but we had a taste of what workers do every day, trying to find voters at home, encountering those who are angry and even those with fierce dogs who will not answer the door!

In Phoenix, we visited the Human Services Campus where we witnessed all the social agencies sharing a common area where people in need of assistance could obtain central access.  This vision has enabled agencies to concentrate on their own specialty instead of trying to stretch resources across multiple needs. The sign at one agency, St. Joseph the Worker, reads “No one can go back and make a brand new start.  Anyone can start from now and make a brand new beginning.”

Town halls each evening had their own flavor.  Each one was different!  Sister Simone and her staff have a well-demonstrated scenario that describes people of different income levels and the effects of the Trump tax cuts on each.  Each night, we drew names to see which part we would take. Most of us had the opportunity to represent a different income quartile and the benefits given to us by the tax cut, as well as the losses we can expect when social programs are cut. These cuts affect people at the bottom levels the most as we to try to finance our extraordinary financial debt, which will not be recouped in our lifetimes or beyond!  Audience members raised issues and concerns regarding the Republican tax plan.  When they were asked to generate solutions in every audience someone said, “we have to build community.”  We can’t talk to each other on a political level before we share with our neighbors.  We have become a society of isolated individuals who thrive on fear rather than hope.

At the end of every gathering, participants were invited to sign postcards and then sign the bus!  We passed out copies of NETWORK’s Connection magazines, stickers, and postcards.  We listened as people told us their very personal stories, including their faith journeys.  What I realized is that tax justice may be the message, but it is our presence and persistence that are so valued in these times when so many feel isolated and disenfranchised.

Finally, I need to say a few words about my traveling companions! We were ten Sisters: Simone and two NETWORK staff, Mary Ellen Lacy, Quincy Howard, and seven of us: Julie Fertsch, Reg McKillip, Bernadine Karge, Dusty Farnan,  Michele Morek, Chris Machado, and me. We were joined by NETWORK staff members and Abbey Watson, trip director.  Melissa Regan, videographer, has been filming Nuns on the Bus events since 2012 and has hopes of finishing her film soon!  We were a congenial group, sharing stories, singing songs (a few!) and keeping busy with e-mails and writing blogs!  Abbey kept us on track down to the minute for take –offs and arrivals. The staff kept us well-fed with meals and snacks!

As the Bus continues its journey, I send prayers for the safety of the occupants, for the audiences that hear the message, and I pray that many will find hope in the message and in the messengers.

View photos from the trip at www.networklobby.org/photos.

Travel Log: Cedar Rapids Day 1

Travel Log: Cedar Rapids Day 1

Sister Quincy Howard, OP
October 16, 2018

In the evening, we arrived at Mount Mercy University in Cedar Rapids and were warmly welcomed by the Mercy Sisters there.  After collecting our bags, winding through the empty college library (students are away for fall break), shuffling through an emergency door (setting off the alarm), we found our rooms and grabbed a quick bite to eat with the resident sisters.

We gathered at the beautiful chapel for our Town Hall for Justice and I was thrilled to be greeted by three of my own Dominican Sisters who had traveled from the Dubuque area to attend. The second cohort of Nuns on the Bus Sisters for the trip had the chance to participate their debut Town Hall event for a crowd of about 75 people.  After we demonstrated how economic inequality has been amplified by our nation’s tax policies since the 1980’s, Sister Simone opened it up for conversation.  There was lots of engagement in the small discussion groups, but when she began asking folks to share, the crowd was more subdued— Nuns on the Bus has definitely arrived in the Midwest!

With a little cajoling some wonderful ideas emerged about how to encourage friends and neighbors to vote. Those who shared helped us understand just how important it is for Iowans to elect representatives that will reverse some of the federal (and state!) laws that have already harmed so many residents in the state. It was a hard crowd to read, but before they left, my Dominican sisters assured me “We may be a quiet bunch, but know that we’re soaking it in.”

View more photos from this event here.