The Progressive

NewsWire

A project of Common Dreams

For Immediate Release
Contact:

Donna Smith,
National Nurses United,
donnas@calnurses.org,
(773) 617-4493

Tim Carpenter,
PDA National Director
Tim@pdamerica.org,
413-320-2015

A Call for a Tax on Wall Street to Heal America

WASHINGTON

On September 1, Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) will Join National Nurse United (NNU) in a national day of action. In 60 congressional offices in 21 states, the nurses, with the support of PDA, will demand action to support a tax on Wall Street financial speculation, a revenue source fast becoming an international norm, to pay for healing the nation.

These events will highlight The Main Street Contract for America and include additional NNU actions from soup kitchens to help feed the hungry and homeless, to community speak outs and street theater.

From Maine to California, everyday Americans are hurting, and they need jobs, healthcare, housing, quality education, nutrition, and a secure retirement, not more cuts.

"Hurricane Irene is a powerful reminder of the essential role government plays in the lives of ordinary Americans whenever disaster strikes," said NNU Co-president Jean Ross. "Hurricane Irene type economic storms devastate American communities every day. Just as Americans expect federal relief efforts to rebuild and restore devastated communities and neighborhoods from the hurricane, they should also be confident that we can rebuild our nation from the economic storm that has also ravaged our country."

Tim Carpenter, PDA national director added, "America's working families have lost their homes, jobs, and healthcare. Young people can't afford the price of college, can't find jobs, and older folks can't retire because of an economy destroyed by greedy Wall Street corporations. It is only fair that Wall Street pay for the destruction they have wrought."

For more information about the Main Street Contract for America: https://www.pdamerica.org/Main-Street-Contract

For more information about the Financial Transaction Tax: https://www.pdamerica.org/transaction-tax

For a complete listing of the September 1 events: https://www.pdamerica.org/mainstreetevents

Progressive Democrats of America was founded in 2004 to transform the Democratic Party and our country. We seek to build a party and government controlled by citizens, not corporate elites--with policies that serve the broad public interest, not just private interests. PDA is a grassroots PAC operating inside the Democratic Party, and outside in movements for peace and justice. Our inside/outside strategy is guided by the belief that a lasting majority will require a revitalized Democratic Party built on firm progressive principles.

For over two decades, the party declined as its leadership listened more to the voices of corporations than those of Americans. PDA strives to rebuild the Democratic Party from the bottom up--from every congressional district to statewide party structures to the corridors of power in Washington, where we work arm in arm with the Congressional Progressive Caucus. In just five years, PDA and its allies have shaken up the political status quo--on the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, Medicare for all, voter rights, accountability, and economic and environmental justice.

Progressive Democrats of America was founded in 2004 to transform the Democratic Party and U.S. politics by working inside and outside of the party by working to elect empowered progressives and by building the progressive movement in solidarity with with peace, justice, civil rights, environmental, and other reform efforts. For more information about PDA, please see PDAmerica.org.