At the debate last night, President Trump boasted about everything from his jobs record to his pandemic response, while insisting that he paid “millions” in taxes.
The New York Times had just reported, of course, that Trump paid $0 in federal taxes for 10 years between 2001 and 2015, and just $750 in 2016 and 2017.
This week in OtherWords, Chuck Collins points out that you probably pay more taxes than our billionaire president. Why? Because there are two tax systems in America — one for you and me, and another for the top 0.1 percent. Fortunately, Chuck concludes, Trump has shown us exactly what needs fixing.
Also this week, Jill Richardson reflects on the irony of the report on Trump’s taxes coming on the heels of executive order by Trump declaring the country a “meritocracy.” So if you’re stuck with a tax bill, it’s your own fault.
As for those other claims?
On the pandemic, my colleague Phyllis Bennis brilliantly reports on how Trump squashed a Post Office plan to mail out masks early on, then gave $1 billion to the Pentagon to spend on PPE instead…. which the Pentagon used to buy weapons. Feel safer?
And on jobs, if you missed laid off Ohio autoworker Chuckie Denison’s story last week, I highly recommend it.
New This Week…
You Paid More Taxes Than Donald Trump | Chuck Collins
There are two tax systems in America: one for you and me, and one for the wealthiest 0.1 percent.
The Pentagon Took Money for PPE and Bought Weapons | Phyllis Bennis
Make no mistake: The Trump administration’s heartlessness and militarism are costing lives.
The Great Irony of Trump’s Taxes | Jill Richardson
The president had just released an executive order calling America a “meritocracy” when records of his own tax avoidance came out.
COVID-19 and the Reality of ‘Small Government’ Conservatism | Jim Hightower
With 200,000 dead, Americans are concluding that a more Rooseveltian response was in order.
Ask What Your Country Can Do for Me | Khalil Bendib
Suckers!
In Case You Missed It…
Trump Lied to Heartland Workers | Chuckie Denison
Trump is bragging about his jobs record in the Midwest. So why didn’t he lift a finger when 14,000 GM workers were laid off?
Ginsburg Would Want Women to Fight, Not Despair | Sophia Paslaski
The late justice dedicated her career to women and other marginalized Americans, and we owe her the same faith she had in us.
If Trump Fills Ginsburg’s Seat, the Court’s Legitimacy Will Be in Crisis | Mitchell Zimmerman
We cannot afford a Supreme Court that has abandoned its constitutional duties to cement right-wing minority rule.
A New Plan to End the Unemployment Crisis | Ben Beachy
A new economic renewal plan would put millions of people back to work building a fairer, healthier, and more sustainable economy.
