It’s the universal language. It’s why I spend 5 days a week working. It’s what makes the world go ‘round. And it’s fundamental to our politics.
During campaigns, money is at the forefront of voters’ minds. As political analyst and Bill Clinton advisor James Carville said, “It’s the economy, stupid.”
When campaigns are finally over we spend legislative sessions and Presidential administrations debating how much people should get taxed, where that tax money should go, and what specific projects it should be spent on.
Politics is just a giant game of facilitating money, and inherently opportunity, for the good of the people.
So when the money is talking for Republicans, both in Nebraska and across the country, why is it only speaking for a couple folks. Those dollars that are supposed to be facilitated for the good of the whole seem to only be helping the top 1%.
I mean, I’m paying taxes, so why am I not seeing the benefit?
An EPIC Failure
As a Nebraskan taxpayer, why do we not feel the relief? Our last two Republican Governors, Pete Ricketts and Jim Pillen, keep saying that costs are too high and that’s why young people are leaving the state.
And… for once in their lives… and I can’t believe I’m about to say this… Pete Ricketts and Jim Pillen are right, money is why young people are leaving the state. However, they couldn’t be more wrong in their reasoning.
Ricketts, Pillen, and Nebraska’s Republican establishment have been touting that taxes are too high, and that is why young folks are leaving the state. In reality, it’s because minimum wage in this state is barely enough to afford a diet of ramen noodles, the salaried jobs pay like crap, and there is no large-scale economic development occurring outside of Lincoln and Omaha.
The same party has been in charge of the state for the last 15 years now, yet they complain that the state is broken… take a look in the mirror!
So, while young people and working class families continue to struggle, the newly Republican endorsed EPIC Tax Plan, “will eliminate property, income/inheritance, and corporate taxes.”
Yep, the party of tax cuts for the rich and wealthy is at it again! This time, just saying the quiet part out loud. They don’t actually care about me, or you, or anyone else. They care about the rich and corporations. That’s it. No financial relief for anyone else.
The story is the same, the Republicans want the rich to get richer and they don’t give a damn if regular, working class folks can put a decent meal on the table.
Across the Aisle
While Republicans pull a reverse-Robin Hood, Democratic officials are working to make sure that the tax dollars that we pay into the system work towards the common good.
The most high profile example of this working class solidarity is the Biden Administration’s choice to forgive student loans.
So many working class folks in Nebraska spend their days at their 9-5, on the ranch, or teaching in the classroom. They put their best foot forward and make an honest living. Because corporate profits are at record highs, these extremely valuable folks, who are the backbone of our state, are grossly underpaid.
When the Biden Administration chose to forgive $285 million worth of student loans for 5,580 Nebraskans, it meant that a giant weight could come off their chest. The monthly fund set aside for student loans meant that they could work to pay down their mortgage, or put their kid in activities, or be able to retire by 65.
The desire of Democrats to tangibly make an impact in the lives of over 5,500 Nebraskans and improve their quality of life is a stark contrast to the party of eliminating corporate taxes. The Democratic Party is a party by the people, for the people.
Saying that we strive for a more fair, just, and equitable economy isn’t some empty political platitude, Democrats put our money where our mouth is.
Around the Horn
There still isn’t a Speaker of the House! There’s war in the Middle East and we’re less than a month away from a government shutdown, but sorry, our government can’t do anything because Republicans care more about job titles than real people.
This week’s world news was dominated by the ongoing situation in Israel and the Gaza Strip. The tragedies have already taken the lives of over 1,700 folks already in a conflict that is only continuing to escalate.
I’m just a 22 year old kid, so I’m not even going to try to give my opinion on maybe the most complex international conflict in the world. So, I will leave you in the words of The Economist’s Gregg Carlstrom, who has been covering the conflict for almost as long as I’ve been alive.
Thank you for reading,
Please consider donating to the NDP here. The fight for the soul of our nation is on the ballot in 2024– and we need help in order to keep up with the corporate mega-donors of the GOP.
If you have any questions or comments, feel free to reach out at jack@nebraskademocrats.org.
All the best,
Jack Schiewe
