DNC: Time to Prioritize Working Families
DNC Delegates
The COVID-19 pandemic and global economic recession are poised to dramatically remake our society; tens of millions of Americans are out of work while America’s largest corporations and Wall Street billionaires are amassing even greater wealth and unchecked control over our jobs, safety, economy and democracy.
Corporations like Amazon and Walmart are making enormous profits during the pandemic, enriching billionaires like CEO Jeff Bezos –the wealthiest man on the planet– and the Walton family – the wealthiest family on the planet. They’re enlarging their fortune because our vital labor is grossly undervalued. They call us essential workers, but they have little regard for our health and safety and pay us wages that keep our families in poverty.
Meanwhile, private equity firms and hedge funds— like the ones that looted and destroyed iconic companies such as Toys R’ Us, Sears, Kmart, and Art Van—are looking to buy up more companies impacted by the looming COVID-19 recession that lead to the destruction of hundreds of thousands jobs in the process.
Next week the Democratic National Committee is going to debate and decide on their policy priorities during their national convention. We are calling on the Democratic Party and our elected leaders to put our communities and jobs first. We need to make sure we and our families are THE TOP PRIORITY and that mega corporations and Wall Street billionaires don’t decide our future.
Tell the DNC to adopt the legislation that prioritizes working families!
Sponsored by
To:
DNC Delegates
From:
[Your Name]
Dear DNC Delegates,
It’s time to put working families ahead of mega corporations and Wall Street billionaires. We’re calling on you to adopt a bolder and more progressive platform that prioritizes our families, makes billionaires pay their fair share, and gets corporate money out of our democracy. Many of our political allies have drafted legislation that would do just that. We’re calling on you to put working-class people before billionaires and corporate profits by openly endorsing the following legislation and programs in your national platform and as a priority for the first 100 days of a new presidency:
Stop Wall Street Looting Act
The Stop Wall Street Looting Act (“SWSLA”) introduced last year by Rep. Mark Pocan and Sen. Elizabeth Warren would stop Wall Street firms from looting businesses and destroying jobs for profit, by forcing them to put workers first, share liability, and honor pension payouts in the event of bankruptcy.
Medicare for All Act of 2019
The Medicare for All Act of 2019 introduced by Rep. Pramila Jayapal and Sen. Bernie Sanders would establish a Medicare-for-all national health insurance program that would provide comprehensive health care to every person living in our country --without any out-of-pocket expenses.
Essential Workers Bill of Rights
The Essential Workers Bill of Rights introduced by Rep. Ro Khanna and Sen. Elizabeth Warren would guarantee safe working conditions, hazard pay, collective bargaining rights, paid medical and family leave, and hold corporations accountable during the Coronavirus pandemic.
FAMILY Act
The Family and Medical Insurance Leave Act (“FAMILY Act”) introduced in 2019 by Rep. Rosa DeLauro and Sen. Kristen Gillibrand would provide up to 12 weeks of paid leave and cover all employees in all companies, no matter the size.
Raise the Wage Act
The Raise the Wage Act introduced in 2019 by Rep. Bobby Scott and Sen. Bernie Sanders would gradually raise the federal minimum wage from $7.25 to $15 by 2025.
Pandemic Anti-Monopoly Act of 2020
The Pandemic Anti-Monopoly Act of 2020 introduced by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Elizabeth Warren would freeze large business mergers and acquisitions during the coronavirus crisis if those businesses are primarily owned by private equity firms or hedge funds or are worth or make at least $100 million.
An extension of Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation Program’s benefits
This would extend the Federal unemployment insurance program that ensures unemployed individuals receive additional benefits totaling $600 per week in addition to their regular state unemployment benefits.