May 2023 Newsletter
Issue #75
Taxes and Economic Justice
Taxes are crucial to our nation’s well-being -- they raise the reasonable revenue needed to pay for responsible programs. Taxes are the flipside of expenditures -- fairness and justice should apply to both the ways we disburse the money and how we collect it.

Tax Rates
For the tax year 2022, the federal income tax brackets ranged from 10% to 37%.


The tax rate for the wealthiest Americans has been steadily declining. In the 1950’s, the rate was over 90%. In the 1960’s, the rate fell into the 70’s%
In the 1980’s, it fell to 50% and then into the 30’s% -- where it’s been ever since.

America’s 400 wealthiest families, pay an average Federal individual income tax rate of 8.2%.

53% of Americans say they pay about the right amount in taxes, but opinion varies considerably based on annual family income. Among those making $100,000 or more, 54% think they pay more than their fair share; whereas among adults with incomes less than $30,000, 27% agree.
             Pew Research Center

61% of Americans favor raising tax rates for households that make more than $400,000, including 25% who say these tax rates should be raised “a lot.”


Payroll Taxes
36% of federal income comes from payroll taxes, which are assessed on the wage or salary paychecks of almost all workers and are used to fund Social Security, Medicare Hospital Insurance, and unemployment insurance. By law, employers and employees split the cost of payroll taxes, but research has shown that employers pass their portion of the cost on to workers in the form of lower wages.

Estate Taxes
The estate tax is the most progressive component of the tax code because it affects only those who are most able to pay. Estate tax revenues made up 0.5% of total federal receipts. 

Estate taxes apply only to the upper 1% of the population. The first $22.8 million of a married couple’s estate is exempt from estate taxes.

Fewer than 1 of every 1,000 estates pays any
estate tax.

Corporate Taxes
Corporate income taxes make up about 7% of
federal revenue.
 
At least 55 of the largest corporations in America paid no federal corporate income taxes in their most recent fiscal year despite substantial profits. These companies represent various industries and collectively had over $40.5 billion in income in 2020, according to their annual financial reports. The federal tax rate for corporate profits is 21% meaning that these corporations would have paid a collective tax of $8.5 billion. Instead, they received $3.5 billion in tax rebates. These companies include:
Nike
Salesforce
Dish Network
FedEx
Fiserv
HP
Duke Energy
Penske Automotive Group
Verisign
Archer Daniels Midland
 
61% of Americans say that corporations not paying their fair share "bothers them a lot."

39% of Americans say that tax rates on large businesses and corporations should be raised “a lot.”

Tax Fraud
The wealthiest 1% of Americans dodge $163 billion in taxes every year.  This is 28% of the total U.S. tax gap, a measurement of taxes owed compared to
taxes collected.

60% of Americans say wealthy people not paying their fair share "bothers them a lot" compared to 13% who feel this way about lower-income people not paying their fair share.

94% of Americans think it is morally unacceptable for people not to report all their income on
their taxes.

45% of Americans have a favorable rating of the Internal Revenue Service.


For more on Economic Justice, click here.
Other Resources
The Triumph of Injustice: How the Rich Dodge Taxes and How to Make Them Pay
By Emmanuel Saez and Gabriel Zucman. Investigates the changes to tax levels last seen in the 1920's.Offers a comprehensive view of America’s tax system, based on new statistics covering all taxes paid at all levels of government and concludes that for the first time in more than a century, billionaires now pay lower tax rates than their secretaries. Blending history and economic analysis, the authors dissect the deliberate choices (and indecision) that have brought this about: the gradual exemption of capital owners; the surge of a new tax avoidance industry, and the spiral of tax competition among nations. Explains how America turned away from one of the most progressive tax system in history to embrace policies that only serve to compound the wealth of a few. Proposes a visionary, democratic, and practical reinvention of taxes, outlining reforms that can allow tax justice to triumph in today’s globalized world and democracy to prevail over concentrated wealth. A companion website allows readers to evaluate proposals made by the authors, and to develop their own alternative tax reform at taxjusticenow.org. Read more.

For more on Economic Justice, click here.
Eugene Cho on Advocacy
A short podcast featuring pastor, author and activist Eugene Cho who talks with Annie F. Downs about what it looks like to be an advocate for the vulnerable and how to take a posture that can be moved to action on behalf of others. Watch now.

For more Justice resources, click here.
Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy
A non-profit, non-partisan tax policy organization, that conducts rigorous analyses of tax and economic proposals and provides data-driven recommendations to shape equitable and sustainable tax systems. Their expertise and data uniquely enhance federal, state, and local policy debates by revealing how taxes affect people at various levels of income and wealth, and people of different races and ethnicities. Also helps make the case for raising enough revenue to truly meet all society's needs. Their work is designed to provide the best possible information and to put forth a vision of a more racially and economically equitable tax system at all levels of government. Learn more.

For more on Economic Justice, click here.
Fiscal Data
A resource from the U.S. Treasury Department that provides up to date information on federal government expenditures, the budget, the difference between mandatory, discretionary and supplemental spending, and spending trends over time and the U.S. economy. Learn more.

For more on the U.S. Budget, click here.
The Whiteness of Wealth:
How the Tax System Impoverishes Black Americans – and How We Can Fix It
By Dorothy A. Brown. A groundbreaking exposé of racism in the American taxation system from a law professor and expert on tax policy. Draws on decades of cross-disciplinary research to show that tax law isn’t color-blind. Introduces readers to families across the economic spectrum whose stories demonstrate how American tax law rewards the preferences and practices of white people while pushing black people further behind. From attending college to getting married to buying a home, black Americans find themselves at a financial disadvantage compared to their white peers. The results are an ever-increasing wealth gap and more black families shut out of the American dream. Read more.

For more on Economic Justice, click here.
National WIC Association
The non-profit voice of the 12,000 public health nutrition service provider agencies and the
over 6.3 million mothers, babies, and young children served by the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC). NWA provides education, guidance, and support to WIC staff; and drives innovation and advocacy to strengthen WIC as we work toward a nation of healthier families. Learn more.

For more on Hunger, click here.
Integrity First Voter Action Project
A national voting rights clearinghouse dedicated to protecting and expanding voting rights, and expanding Vote By Mail in every state. Their goal is to bring awareness to voting restriction laws wherever they may crop up and organize voters to take action to ensure the right to vote is available to everyone in their states and communities.

For more on Voting Rights, click here.
Following Jesus in a Warming World:
A Christian Call to Climate Action
By Kyle Meyaard-Schaap. The author believes that many young Christians are waking up to the realities of climate change. They want to help, but they're not sure how. Through stories from the field, theological and scriptural exploration, and practical advice, offers hope to people paralyzed by the scale of the crisis, helping turn paralysis into meaningful action. Offers a field guide for Christian climate action―grounded in the joy of caring for creation. Read more.

For more on the Environment, click here.
Ecomartyrdom in the Americas:
Living and Dying for Our Common Home
By Elizabeth O'Donnell Gandolfo. Explores the meaning of environmental defenders whose care for our common home has cost them their lives. Connects their witness in relation to three recent developments in Catholic theology: the expanded understanding of martyrdom to include those who die in defense of gospel values (justice, concern for the poor); the expansion of Catholic social teaching to include care for creation; and the call for interreligious dialogue and cooperation. Read more.

For more on the Environment, click here.
Just Church: Catholic Social Teaching, Synodality, and Women 
By Phyllis Zagano. Engages readers in the synodal pathway to a “Just Church” that can and should reflect its social teaching. Argues that an important measure of justice is an ecclesiology open to participation by others beyond celibate clerics, especially in consideration of competing Catholic ecclesial bodies and methods of membership.

For more on Gender Inequality, click here.
Too Good to Go
An organization that encourages people to rescue unsold food from an untimely fate. Explores stores and restaurants in local areas to save surprise bags of surplus food from going to waste at a great price. Learn more. 

For more on Hunger, click here.
Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD)
A body of independent experts from the United Nations that monitors implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination by its State parties. All States parties submit regular reports to the Committee on how the rights are being implemented. The U. N. also has a resource page to fight racism here. Learn more.

For more on Racism, click here.
Why We Can't Wait: Racism and the Church

Edited by Catherine Punsalan-Manlimos, Tracy Sayuki Tiemeier & Elisabeth T. Vasko. Annual Volume #68 of the College Theology Society. Focuses on the theme of racial justice and the Church, exploring themes of colonialism and the (de)construction of Whiteness, pedagogy and spirituality, and Christian work for racial justice through the Church. Read more.

For more on Racism, click here.
All the Way In: A Story of Activism, Incarceration, and Organic Farming
By Jeanne Clark OP. The story of one Dominican sister’s ongoing journey in religious life, moving from conventional ministries to a growing engagement with nonviolent witness, peace activism, and care for the earth. Read more.

For more Public Witness resources, click here.
Service Year Alliance
An organization that envisions a future where national service is part of growing up in America. Offers opportunities to develop real-world skills through hands-on service in education, environment, health and public safety. Most terms are 10-12 months, can be in one's own community or in other parts of the U.S., and be can be either individual or with others. Learn more.

For more Volunteer & Service resources, click here.
Prayer
A Prayer of Transformation

Loving God,
We were a pile of ash
And you made us a light for the world. 
We were stones
And you made us salt for the earth.
We were as lifeless as clay
And you made us part of the Body of Christ.
We were sinful
And you made us holy.
We were nothing
And you made us part of everything.
 
Loving God, in you we are transformed
And transformed still again.
When the discouraged cry for hope, make us hope. 
When the hungry cry for bread, make us bread. 
When the thirsty cry for water, make us water.
When the suffering cry for help, make us help.
When the sick cry for healing, make us healing.
When the bound cry for freedom, make us freedom.
When the outcasts cry for love, make us love.
 
Loving God who is hope,
who is bread and water,
who is help and healing,
who is freedom,
and who is love,
Transform us anew,
and so keep us close to you,
as you transform the world.


Important Dates This Month
Individuals Honored This Month
May 1st

We are one, after all, you and I, together we suffer, together exist, and forever will recreate each other.
May 9th

I want a change, and a radical change. I want a change from an acquisitive society to a functional society, from a society of go-getters to a society of go-givers.
May 9th

Instead of building the peace by attacking injustices like starvation, disease, illiteracy, political and economic servitude, we spend trillions of dollars on war, until hatred and conflict have become the international preoccupation.
May 9th

How can we expect fate to let a righteous cause prevail when there is hardly anyone who will give himself up undividedly to a righteous cause?
May 19th

Here is what we seek: a compassion that can stand in awe at what the poor have to carry rather than stand in judgment at how they carry it.
May 20th

I am convinced that it is still best that I speak the truth, even if it costs me my life.
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