Targeting Wall Street, Robin Hood Tax Comes to Washington

[eridani]

http://www.commondreams.org/view/2013/10/30

As the conference opened Jennifer Flynn, managing director of Health GAP, discussed what the Robin Hood tax, as embodied in a U.S. bill, HR 1579, sponsored by Rep. Keith Ellison of Minnesota, could mean.

“With $6 billion a year, we can end the AIDS pandemic within the next 30 years. With $50 billion we can create the largest job program ever. With less than $3 billion we can end homelessness. With less than $10 billion we can reverse many of the effects of climate change. With less than $100 billion we can provide healthcare for all in most parts of the world. With $60 billion we can transform our education system. That would still leave more than $200 billion for other needs that would be raised by HR 1579.”

“It’s our job to put the Wall Street tax at the center of American politics... Those who say it can’t be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.” –Jim Hightower
The Robin Hood tax, said Bobby Tolbert of Vocal New York, “is a way to bring power back to the 99 percent. The Robin Hood tax is inevitable, it’s just a matter of time.”

“We have a revenue crisis, and we know where the money is, it’s on Wall Street,” said George Goehl, executive director of National People’s Action. “We’re going to ask the politicians are you going to stand with Wall Street or Main Street?”

The conference itself was a prelude to a briefing for Congress with leaders of the coalition, renowned economist Jeffrey Sachs, and the vice president of the European Parliament Anni Podimata, who will describe how 11 European nations are successfully implementing a similar tax. The briefing is to be held October 31, after which the activists intend to fan out on Capitol Hill to press legislators from 26 states to support the bill.

[gopiscrap]

1. YES!!!!!!

[Fuddnik]

2. Way past time for this!