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Cheese Sandwich

(9,086 posts)
Tue May 19, 2015, 11:17 PM May 2015

America's largest nurses' union rallies for Bernie Sanders plan: Tax Wall Street to pay for college

Sanders Joins Forces with Nurses and Students, Introduces ”College For All Act”
(National Nurses United, 5/19/15)



The Robin Hood Tax swooped into America’s national spotlight when presidential contender Sen. Bernie Sanders joined with National Nurses United and student groups in Washington, D.C. at a press conference today to announce his introduction of two Senate bills - the College for All Act and the Robin Hood tax bill that would levy a small tax on Wall Street financial transactions in order to fund free tuition at every public college and university in the United States, as well as slash interest rates on existing student loans.

The College for All Act and the Robin Hood Tax would set a 0.5 percent tax on most stock transactions, and a lesser tax on bond and derivative trades. Such a tax has been championed for years by NNU, the country’s largest organization of registered nurses, and other healthcare and climate change groups and is already in effect in more than 40 countries around the world, including Britain, Germany, Switzerland, and China. A similar Robin Hood Tax bill, H.R. 1464, introduced by Rep. Keith Ellison, is pending in the House of Representatives. The tax is estimated to raise about $300 billion per year to fund programs such as free higher education, healthcare for all, and a reversal of climate change.




RoseAnn DeMoro, NNU’s executive director, said that nurses often see the health results that a lifetime of accumulated debt, stress, and poverty cause.

“The nurses are here because we have fought long and hard for a Robin Hood Tax to fund education, healthcare, shoring up our environment, to fund everything that has to do with human suffering,” said DeMoro. “Because what the nurses end up seeing at the bedside is all the unnecessary human despair and suffering when we don’t have these things.”

The country’s young adults are currently drowning in about $1.3 trillion of student loan debt that is borrowed at rates often set higher than mortgage and car loan rates. This crushing debt is a huge burden that prevents many young people from advancing in their careers and lives, stopping them from buying a car, getting married, buying a house, or having children.

“The time is long overdue for the American Congress to start listening to the needs of the American people and not just Wall Street,” said Sanders, flanked by students and registered nurses. “This is not a radical idea. Only in a Congress dominated by Wall Street and big money is this considered a radical idea."


http://www.nationalnursesunited.org/blog/entry/sen-sanders-joins-forces-with-nurses-and-students-introduces-college-for-al/






19 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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America's largest nurses' union rallies for Bernie Sanders plan: Tax Wall Street to pay for college (Original Post) Cheese Sandwich May 2015 OP
The Good Lord Doesn't Dispense Intelligence, Talent and Genius Only to the Rich and Priviledged Few. panfluteman May 2015 #1
OH HELL YES BrotherIvan May 2015 #2
Talk about Iwillnevergiveup May 2015 #3
Kicked and recommended to the Max! What an inspirational candidate! Enthusiast May 2015 #4
Well said, esp. 'if you can't see this difference I pity you.' Amen. appalachiablue May 2015 #12
Bernie is awesome! Enthusiast May 2015 #14
That or watch Bernie on Fridays & Hartmann live online daily, 12-3 PM ET at freespeech.org. appalachiablue May 2015 #15
Thank you. We still have the little Dish Network dish in the yard beside the porch. Enthusiast May 2015 #16
That's so bad, but being monopolies they know they have us! Except for the web, so far- appalachiablue May 2015 #18
Yeah, but nobody trusts nurses ... Scuba May 2015 #5
For honesty & ethical standards it's also interesting that in 2014 Gallup rated Bankers 23, appalachiablue May 2015 #8
Thank for sharing that information. Enthusiast May 2015 #17
This guy is the real thing SmittynMo May 2015 #6
HUGE K & R !!! - THANK YOU !!! WillyT May 2015 #7
Absolutely! College for All and the Robin Hood Tax- love it! appalachiablue May 2015 #9
There's that picture again Cheese Sandwich May 2015 #11
Free college tuition swilton May 2015 #10
+1. Good point about US medical school expenses driving higher patient costs. appalachiablue May 2015 #13
Great plan! Go, Bernie. JDPriestly May 2015 #19

panfluteman

(2,054 posts)
1. The Good Lord Doesn't Dispense Intelligence, Talent and Genius Only to the Rich and Priviledged Few.
Wed May 20, 2015, 12:17 AM
May 2015

That's why we need this Robin Hood tax on the rich to pay for education for the bright and deserving young people of our country, from whatever socioeconomic class they may come from. Way to go, Bernie! While other presidential candidates are just spouting pseudo-populist BS that they think the American voter wants to hear with ads paid for by corporate megabucks, Bernie Sanders is busy walking the walk and putting his political capital where his mouth is in the US Senate. What a bully pulpit for his presidential campaign!!! This event of his kind of reminds me of Gandhi's Salt March to the seaside. May it be followed by many other real life demonstrations of political courage and resolve.

Enthusiast

(50,983 posts)
4. Kicked and recommended to the Max! What an inspirational candidate!
Wed May 20, 2015, 04:29 AM
May 2015

When we contrast Bernie with the other Senators and Representatives in congress it is clear, this is the man for the job.

This man cares about the nation, not about lining his wallet. If you can't see this difference I pity you.

appalachiablue

(41,048 posts)
12. Well said, esp. 'if you can't see this difference I pity you.' Amen.
Fri May 22, 2015, 10:36 AM
May 2015

I want to live in a country where Bernie is President, that's it. Four or eight more years of the same, or a Republican God forbid and who knows how much worse matters will be. People can understand what Bernie stands for if they get a chance to see and hear him; it's the big money and media systems that will interfere, obviously.

In addition to these kinds of events receiving coverage, Bernie's once a week 'Brunch with Bernie" Friday segment on Thom Hartmann's weekday program, 12-3 PM ET, is an excellent way to learn about him. I catch it on FSTV (Free Speech TV Channel) live on Dish TV or online at freespeech.org.

During the segment Bernie takes calls from people all over the US for an hour, to discuss issues and hear views and difficulties from people with medical care problems, Vets, students, seniors and others. He listens and tries to help all, sometimes referring them to his DC Senate office for more assistance. How many other officials would offer their time to do this, for about 10 years now.

A DUer in the BS Group posted a couple recent videos of Friday's "Brunch with Bernie"; I contacted them about posting regularly but haven't heard back (I don't know how to record them). If the sessions circulated people would learn a lot more about Bernie in action, and it would all be good.


Enthusiast

(50,983 posts)
14. Bernie is awesome!
Fri May 22, 2015, 10:45 AM
May 2015

We need to unload this Time Warner and get back to Dish Network. We liked it better anyway.

appalachiablue

(41,048 posts)
15. That or watch Bernie on Fridays & Hartmann live online daily, 12-3 PM ET at freespeech.org.
Fri May 22, 2015, 11:30 AM
May 2015

Also great are the documentaries FSTV runs on the environment, health, politics and their other programs like America's lawyer, Mike 'Pap' Papantonio's fierce "Ring of Fire" program on hot topics with guests (and it IS fiery!), Democracy Now! with Amy Goodman and others. Hartman's other one hour nightly program, "The Big Picture" filmed out of RT's studio, is aired weeknights at 10 PM ET on FSTV also.

I've told many f & f about FSTV that is primarily on Dish and Direct, but they're set with their cable, internet and cellphone bundle providers, used by several in the household, and don't know what they're missing. Unfortunately you can't give people a "subscription" to Dish or Direct to get FSTV like a Magazine or Newspaper.

There's one particularly hardheaded relative in need of current info. the most, but who's exhausted from work, homework, life, etc. and refuses to consider changing carriers. I've even considered taking a Dish Rep. to the house while she's at work (sabotage) to replace the cable et al, but it would probably be easier to redo the plumbing, replace the roof and put in a new kitchen while she's not there!

Oops, need to scoot, almost time for Sen. Sanders and TH now; Bernie usually comes on the first hour-

Enthusiast

(50,983 posts)
16. Thank you. We still have the little Dish Network dish in the yard beside the porch.
Fri May 22, 2015, 12:10 PM
May 2015

Our Time Warner service is absolutely horrible. A lady at work told my wife that their Time Warner cable didn't have a "guide". My wife told her you have to push the button again and again and again and don't give up. Eventually the guide pops up so you can use the DVR.

 

Scuba

(53,475 posts)
5. Yeah, but nobody trusts nurses ...
Wed May 20, 2015, 07:22 AM
May 2015
http://www.gallup.com/poll/180260/americans-rate-nurses-highest-honesty-ethical-standards.aspx

Americans Rate Nurses Highest on Honesty, Ethical Standards

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- In 2014, Americans say nurses have the highest honesty and ethical standards. Members of Congress and car salespeople were given the worst ratings among the 11 professions included in this year's poll. Eighty percent of Americans say nurses have "very high" or "high" standards of honesty and ethics, compared with a 7% rating for members of Congress and 8% for car salespeople.

Americans have been asked to rate the honesty and ethics of various professions annually since 1990, and periodically since 1976. Nurses have topped the list each year since they were first included in 1999, with the exception of 2001 when firefighters were included in response to their work during and after the 9/11 attacks. Since 2005, at least 80% of Americans have said nurses have high ethics and honesty. Two other medical professions -- medical doctors and pharmacists -- tie this year for second place at 65%, with police officers and clergy approaching 50%.

appalachiablue

(41,048 posts)
8. For honesty & ethical standards it's also interesting that in 2014 Gallup rated Bankers 23,
Wed May 20, 2015, 12:14 PM
May 2015

Lawyers 21 & Business Execs. 17.


Enthusiast

(50,983 posts)
17. Thank for sharing that information.
Fri May 22, 2015, 12:14 PM
May 2015

Nurses have had my life in their hands several times and I'm still here. If Congress continues the way they are, they're liable to kill me and soon.

SmittynMo

(3,544 posts)
6. This guy is the real thing
Wed May 20, 2015, 07:33 AM
May 2015

Steam is starting to pick up for Bernie already. So far, I love how he's running his campaign. This guy is 110% for the less fortunate in this country and is taking bold steps to accomplish his goal. Go Bernie, GO!!!!!

I haven't been this excited about a presidential candidate since,,,,,,,, FOREVER.

The guy has my vote.

 

swilton

(5,069 posts)
10. Free college tuition
Wed May 20, 2015, 03:51 PM
May 2015

would have added benefits to driving down health care costs....Besides the factors of privatized health care and the overhead costs of health insurance companies, health care professionals can charge patients more for their services because it costs so much for them to get an education.

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