Tax Breaks for Rich Irk Local Activists
By Michael Kaufman
Vincent Ferri was in his car last Saturday listening to President Obama’s explanation of the tax bill he negotiated with the Republicans. Ferri, a Vietnam combat veteran and peace and social justice activist, was outraged by what he sees as “capitulation” to those “who would destroy Social Security and who were responsible for the recession that resulted from their unfunded wars, unfair NAFTA agreements, and the deregulation of the various financial institutions.”
“Many of the same people who put our economy in the toilet will be among the wealthiest Americans receiving a huge windfall tax break by Obama’s ‘compromise,’” says Ferri, adding that by putting forward this legislation Obama has become “the first president to allow a direct frontal attack on Social Security since it began. “The Republicans held the unemployment extension hostage in return for these two devastating concessions,” says Ferri. “For all of their moralizing and their claims of family and religious values, their actions speak of greed and indifference to those in need.
“Will those tax benefits bring new jobs? Will they prevent the further loss of jobs? Economists say NO. The wealthy won’t spend that money to create jobs, as demonstrated by the history of the Bush era. They will continue to build factories overseas to put more Americans out of work or just continue to accumulate more wealth and power to increase the corporate stranglehold on our governmental institutions.”
Ferri, who lives in the Town of Wallkill, has called on his friends and fellow activists in the Orange County peace and social justice movements to join him in an “emergency demonstration” Saturday on the median strip at Middletown Galleria.
“We cannot let those around us proceed with their Christmas shopping without facing the reality of what is about to happen,” he says. “So, let’s spend that money, but wait, can you find any products on the store shelves made in America, or will spending that tax relief money just increase the deficit in our balance of trade with the third world slave labor nations that now own most of America? Will spending that money put more Americans out of work?”
One who has responded to the call is the indefatigable Michael Sussman, lawyer and longtime activist for peace and social justice. “The people are awfully quiet….a bit like sheep,” says Sussman, leader of the Orange County Democratic Alliance, in an email to friends and fellow activists. “Are we angry? Do we feel that the wealthy are being advantaged at a time when so many are struggling badly?” If so, he appeals to readers to join him, Ferri and others “in the streets this weekend in our own county – making noise.”
Sussman recalls the antiwar demonstrations of 2002 “when we were out screaming that Saddam had no weapons of mass destruction and was NOT connected to 9/11 and that our country was on the brink of madness. We were right then and we are right now…extending these tax breaks is insane, simply insane.
“Vincent Ferri is mad and has taken the lead. Let’s join him this Saturday at 2 p.m. at the entrance to the Galleria with signs galore and an energy and spirit to repel the elements.” Yes, let’s.
END NOTE–If you haven’t seen or heard this recent speech before members of the U.S. Senate by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) please do so now. Here is the link. (Note the lack of applause by the Republicans and Democrats he made so uncomfortable simply by speaking the truth):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5OtB298fHY&feature=player_embedded
Michael can be reached at michael@zestoforange.com.
Tags: Michael Kaufman
