An Open Letter to Donald Trump–10/7/2020
- Phoenix Congress 2020 represents members of the American Union, who are willing to vote for both Republicans and Democrats in the 471 federal races who will meet our terms, including Donald Trump. This is part of a series of open letters explaining our demands.
October 7th, 2020
Dear President Trump,
Last night you tweeted, “If I am sent a Stand Alone Bill for Stimulus Checks ($1,200), they will go out to our great people IMMEDIATELY. I am ready to sign right now.” It is clear from this tweet, and others in recent weeks, that you are tired of the gridlock in Congress. Well, Mr. President, so are the American people.
The gridlock is not new; Americans have been frustrated for years. In the 21st century, we’ve seen the pendulum swing back and forth between the Republicans and Democrats, yet widely recognized problems remained unaddressed.
In 2020, Americans have been through enough. The pandemic caused cost millions of Americans their employment, and millions their insurance. The toll this loss is taking on families across the country will not be fully known for months, maybe years, and another single stimulus relief check will not stop the hemorrhaging.
Americans need a President who is a man of action, who is willing to generate the political will to enact bold changes that will not only get common people through this pandemic, but will pave a path for them to be prosperous in the future. Universal basic income (UBI) will provide immediate and ongoing support for Americans, through the pandemic and beyond. UBI would create a financial floor for everyone while lifting every single American out of poverty.
The Phoenix Congress has published the Blueprint for a Better America, our legislative package that includes a UBI of $1,300/month for every adult and $433 for children. One of the funding mechanisms is a 15% value added tax; all Americans should benefit from our 21st century economy and the productivity gains brought by artificial intelligence and automation. By putting disposable income into the hands of families across the country, generating great boosts to our economy.
Mr. President, the Blueprint for a Better America is a chance for you to show that you can wrangle the two parties out of this gridlock on behalf of the American people. In 2016 you ran on a platform of being a man of the people, a DC outsider who would “drain the swamp.” This is your chance to fulfill that promise.
Passing this legislation may require political sacrifice from you and other representatives, but these are sacrifices for the greater good. To show your willingness, the Phoenix Congress invites you and all Americans to join a national fast for peace on October 15th, as a show of support for the Blueprint for a Better America. Our shared self-sacrifices demonstrate our commitment to ending poverty, mass incarceration, and the endless wars.
Not every President gets the chance to usher in an upgraded American social contract. In fact, it only happens every four generations. Mr. President, you have that chance. The only question is, will you use this moment to pave a path toward prosperity, equity, and peace?
Respectfully yours,
Other articles on Medium:
Series of open letters to Trump: Listed on our website
A call to action around Martin Luther King, Jr.’s triple evils: The Marginalized Must Unionize in 2020
A look at our duties as Americans and the legislation they inspire; The Blueprint for a Better America
