As he pushes ahead with war plans, President Bush is also exploiting the national preoccupation with the war by trying to pass a gigantic new tax cut. The Bush tax package includes $700 billion in new cuts, and a total revenue reduction of more than $2 trillion over the next ten years.* These cuts will primarily benefit the wealthiest Americans.

With the imminent start of war, we know this is a hard time to focus on anything else. But because you've been one of our most active members, we hope you can find a moment to make two calls today. The Senate vote on the Bush tax plan could come as soon as today, Tuesday, March 18th.

The AFL-CIO has generously provided a toll-free number. Please call both of your Senators now, at:

1-888-280-6279

If that number is busy, please call your Senators directly, at:

Senator Durbin
DC Phone: 202-224-2152

Senator Fitzgerald
DC Phone: 202-224-2854

Make sure the staffers know you're a constituent. Then urge your Senators to:

"Please OPPOSE the President's tax cut package. We simply can't afford it."

Please let us know you're making these important calls.

In the next year alone, President Bush's tax plan would give millionaires an average tax cut of $90,000. In contrast, half of all tax filers would receive tax breaks of less than $100.

As economic stimulus, this is backwards. The right way to stimulate the economy is to help people whose need is greatest, because they will spend the money fastest.

It's also backwards to be cutting taxes on this enormous scale as we head for a war that could cost hundreds of billions.

The $2 trillion total reduction in public revenue from the Bush tax package will make it much harder to meet real needs, including:

Homeland Security/First Responders - The Bush budget falls $10 million short in funding homeland security needs. Domestic security is being compromised as firefighters and police are being laid off around the nation.

Education - The President’s "No Child Left Behind" act has not yet been fully funded. For FY 2004, the President’s budget falls $6 billion short of the $18.5 billion called for by the act. This budget provides no substantial relief to schools across the nation facing dramatic budget cuts.

State and local governments - State and local governments everywhere are struggling with massive deficits. As a result, deep cuts are being made in important areas including health care, education, and child care.

Unemployment - Over the past two years, the economy has lost more than 2 million private sector jobs. Despite this, the President’s budget does not provide for extensions of unemployment insurance for all affected workers.

The vote could come as soon as today. Please call your Senators right away.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

--The MoveOn Team
Carrie, Eli, Joan, Peter, Wes, and Zack
March 18, 2003

* Source: www.cbpp.org/2-14-03tax.htm