For Immediate Release: March 27, 2017
Contact: Ashley Wilson, [email protected], 202-601-7856
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In response to President Trump’s tax plan, Sister Simone Campbell, SSS, Executive Director of NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice said:
“The Catholic Sisters and activists of NETWORK care about tax justice because we care about mending the income and wealth gap. Tax policies enacted since 1980 have exacerbated the social and economic divides in our country, and we need to enact tax policy changes to reduce the income gap. Unfortunately but unsurprisingly, President Trump’s tax plan will widen the gap between the wealthiest and poorest people in our nation.
“This is not the faithful way forward. Taxes are the dues we pay to society, and all must pay their fair share. This isn’t tax reform; it’s a tax giveaway for those who need to pay more tax, not less.
“Further, President Trump’s tax plan doesn’t pay for the trillion dollar tax cuts to the wealthiest corporations and individuals. Instead, these additional cuts create a huge budget gap that would explode the deficit. We know what will happen if this plan becomes law: The budget shortfall from unreasonable tax cuts to the wealthy will pressure Congress to once again balance the budget on the backs of people in poverty.
“With our Republican-led Congress, we know any budget ‘savings’ won’t come from outsized military coffers but from vital social programs like Medicare, nutrition, and Social Security. We will lose money to invest in schools, roads, and housing across our communities. All people suffer under increased income and wealth disparity. But, we cannot in good conscience line the pockets of the wealthy when we know that people in poverty and the middle class will suffer most from failure to invest in our nation.
When NETWORK’s first Nuns on the Bus trip took off five years ago, our message on budget and taxes was clear: We need reasonable revenue for responsible programs. Taxes generate revenue, and it is reasonable that all people and corporations pay their fair share. To put it into the context of Christian faith tradition, Jesus taught that we must ‘give to Caesar what is Caesar’s.’
“NETWORK’s bottom line is that tax policy changes should not increase inequality. A fair and effective tax system is essential to provide for a well-functioning government. Taxes are essential investments in our society, and should be based on fairness and shared commitment, where those who have reaped extraordinary benefits contribute proportionately to the good of all.“
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NETWORK, advocates for justice inspired by Catholic sisters, educates, organizes, and lobbies for economic and social transformation. They have a more than 40-year track record of lobbying for critical federal programs that support those at the margins and prioritize the common good. www.networklobby.org