Democratic Primaries
Related: About this forumPIRG praises Sherrod Brown for including unpaid caregivers in EITC
(PIRG = Public Interest Research Group)
U.S. PIRG PRAISES SEN. SHERROD BROWN FOR INCLUDING UNPAID CAREGIVERS IN THE EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2019
https://uspirg.org/news/usp/us-pirg-praises-sen-sherrod-brown-including-unpaid-caregivers-earned-income-tax-credit
Evan Preston, U.S. PIRGs Senior Director of New Economy Campaigns issued the following statement:
Technological progress means that many jobs that provide the income to support a family are vulnerable to disruption. Moving forward, we need to redefine work and the role it plays in our society. With that in mind, Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio has devised a creative way to ensure that Americans can maintain their quality of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness as the nature of work changes.
Many people work to earn money mainly to pay someone else to take care of their children or parents. That makes no sense. Why not support families who want to provide care themselves? Investing in hard-working people who provide care for their loved ones is the right thing to do.
U.S. PIRG praises Sen. Brown for working with Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman of New Jersey and with Rep. Ro Khanna of California to accurately value contributions that are essential for improving American lives, but fall outside the traditional definition of jobs.
Expanding the EITC to include unpaid caregivers acknowledges the new challenges and opportunities we face as the nature of work changes. More people should thrive as improved technology brings greater prosperity. Redefining caregiving as work brings us closer to an economy that prioritizes improving well-being, so that more people can live the American Dream.
An earlier article from PIRG supporting this policy:
https://uspirg.org/news/usp/us-pirg-urges-lawmakers-expand-earned-income-tax-credit-caregivers
The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) has a long, successful, bipartisan track record of making sure more Americans meet their needs. As the nature of work is changing, this EITC Awareness Day offers the chance to prepare for a future where we prioritize work that improves the wellbeing of Americans. U.S. PIRG urges lawmakers to expand the EITC to unpaid caregivers so we can start valuing contributions that are essential for improving American lives but fall outside of traditional jobs.
The EITC was designed to encourage people to work, to find a job and thereby contribute to society. However, a lot of jobs today can be disrupted by technology. In all kinds of industries, we can make more than ever with fewer people than ever. That ought to be an opportunity to recognize other contributions to society, but it wont be unless we return the values behind creating the EITC in the first place.
... (snip) ...
In its current form, the EITC fails to recognize the contributions of 40 million unpaid caregivers in the U.S. When we define productivity by value captured by Gross Domestic Product, we overlook the important roles unpaid individuals play in their communities and families every day.
Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) introduced federal legislation that would extend EITC qualifications to caregivers and students. The overlooked and often thankless work of caregiving is essential to our society, Watson Coleman said in a statement.
More about PIRG:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_Interest_Research_Group
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
marylandblue
(12,344 posts)We should pay caregivers to take care of their families, because if they paid someone else to do it, it would count towards GDP, even though it's the same job.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
MH1
(17,595 posts)regardless who the nominee is. I think he may not run (and will instead retain that critical Senate seat) if he thinks the nominee will champion enough of his core principles. I'm fully on board with that approach. The guy's a statesman who understands politics.
I just hope we get a nominee who understands politics and the electorate as well as Brown seems to, and supports core principles like worker's rights (or as Sherrod says, the Dignity of Work).
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
CrossingTheRubicon
(731 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden