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So the mayor of the nation’s capital is trying to raise philanthropy to serve the most vulnerable children in the community. And the donors include the companies that will one day lobby to get those kids sent to war or to keep their wages down.
Taxation, not philanthropy.
Taxation, not philanthropy.
“We want Johnny to have the best opportunities before we lobby for a needless war that will in fact kill him.”
“We want Tiffany to know that there is nothing she cannot achieve, unless that thing is collective bargaining when she works at our family’s superstore one day.”
“We want Tiffany to know that there is nothing she cannot achieve, unless that thing is collective bargaining when she works at our family’s superstore one day.”
But I'm sure @MayorBowser tried the taxation route, right?
Oh, what's that?
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/dc-council-budget-vote/2020/07/07/52a9eb40-c05d-11ea-b4f6-cb39cd8940fb_story.html
Oh, what's that?
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/dc-council-budget-vote/2020/07/07/52a9eb40-c05d-11ea-b4f6-cb39cd8940fb_story.html
Let me see if I understand this.
The children of the capital of the wealthiest country in history need help with education.
The mayor declines to tax wealthy people, and her allies vote such a tax down.
Instead, she courts donors who work every day to worsen those kids' lives.
The children of the capital of the wealthiest country in history need help with education.
The mayor declines to tax wealthy people, and her allies vote such a tax down.
Instead, she courts donors who work every day to worsen those kids' lives.
With some of these donors, I wonder what is the point of investing in children if, as soon as they are adults, the company where your money comes from is going to use every trick it has to suppress their pay, prevent their unionization, and thwart their dreams?
I wonder what is the point for a donor of investing in children if, as soon as they are adults, the company will lobby to send them to war, probably a needless or fraudulently conceived war that will be very good for weapons production.
And maybe I'm being unfair. Maybe the tax proposal on the wealthy was beyond the pale.
Let's look at the details.
Oh.
They wouldn't even have noticed.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/dc-council-budget-vote/2020/07/07/52a9eb40-c05d-11ea-b4f6-cb39cd8940fb_story.html
Let's look at the details.
Oh.
They wouldn't even have noticed.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/dc-council-budget-vote/2020/07/07/52a9eb40-c05d-11ea-b4f6-cb39cd8940fb_story.html
If you made $2 million this year, this tax proposal would have cost you an additional $2,050, by my crude calculations. (I miscalculated earlier.)
Instead of fighting for that kind of modest increase during a grim time, the city is soliciting elite philanthropy.
Instead of fighting for that kind of modest increase during a grim time, the city is soliciting elite philanthropy.
Here's what will happen.
The kids will get some help, but it will run out.
The wealthy will stave off this and other tax hikes, because the philanthropy will be flexed as proof that taxes aren't needed.
Deductions will be claimed.
Reputations laundered.
Oligarchy entrenched.
The kids will get some help, but it will run out.
The wealthy will stave off this and other tax hikes, because the philanthropy will be flexed as proof that taxes aren't needed.
Deductions will be claimed.
Reputations laundered.
Oligarchy entrenched.
I cheered when the mayor designated a part of 16th Street as Black Lives Matter Plaza, and I cheered those giant yellow letters.
But this great uprising is easily co-opted. Fake change is now playing in the racial arena.
Street names are great. Just social policy is better.
But this great uprising is easily co-opted. Fake change is now playing in the racial arena.
Street names are great. Just social policy is better.
