Beat Back the Republican Attacks

St Paul, MN – Protesters will assemble at the Minnesota State Capitol Building, at 12 noon, Jan. 4 to say no to attacks on programs that serve poor and working people. Organized by the Minnesota Coalition for a People’s Bailout, the action will coincide with the opening of the Minnesota State legislature.

Linden Gawboy, of the Twin Cites-based Welfare Rights Committee states, “Because of the recent election, right-wing Republicans have control of the Minnesota State House and Minnesota State Senate. In the past several years, we have seen them come up with crazy ideas – based on poor-bashing, racism and greed. They have tried to take away the programs and services that we need to survive, especially now, in these times.”

The state of Minnesota is facing a $6 billion-plus budget crisis. In previous years, reactionary politicians have attempted to address budget shortfalls by pushing the burden of the crisis on to the backs of poor and working people.

Mick Kelly, of the Minnesota Coalition for a People’s Bailout states, “At the end of the day, there is only one fair way to balance the budget. Minnesota politicians need to tax the rich.”

According to Kelly, “Some right-wing politicians say that making the rich pay will stop jobs from being created. At best this is a cynical lie, and at worst it is a sign that some very foolish people will be making laws for Minnesotans. The reality is that the rich are sitting on their money and living the good life. We need to tax the hell out of the wealthy and use that money for real job creation and programs that will serve poor and working people during the economic crisis.”

In addition to resisting cuts to programs that serve the people, the Minnesota Coalition for a People’s Bailout will continue its fight for jobs or income now, treating housing, healthcare and education as human rights and for a moratorium on home foreclosures and evictions from foreclosed properties.

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