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Join NowRobert Reich, MoveOn Launch ‘Big Picture’ Ideas Campaign: 10 Ideas to Save the Economy
Video-based campaign features former Labor Secretary Robert Reich laying out bold solutions to some of our nation’s toughest challenges.
First video making the case for increasing minimum wage to $15 an hour leans into the fresh momentum generated by NY Gov. Cuomo’s major announcement of plan to dramatically raise pay for 180,000 fast-food workers across the state.
First two videos released:
Watch minimum wage video here: http://civ.moveon.org/fightfor15/share.html
Watch working families video here: http://civ.moveon.org/helpworkingfamilies/share.html
Former U.S. Labor Secretary Robert Reich and MoveOn.org Civic Action have teamed up on a new multi-video, interactive campaign launching today that is focused on advancing bold, progressive policy solutions—such as expanding Social Security and making public higher education free—and activating MoveOn’s 8-million member community around the strongest proposals.
Beginning today, MoveOn members will vote for their favorite ideas by sharing videos via email, Facebook, and Twitter. Upcoming videos, including segments on strengthening unions and raising the estate tax, will be rolled out through early June. MoveOn will launch campaigns—in solidarity with allies—on the ideas that gain the most traction with its members.
“Progressives have visionary policy ideas —but we don’t have anything like the right-wing media echo chamber to build support with them. That’s why I’ve spent months teaming up with MoveOn members on a groundbreaking new project that will combine easy-to-understand videos and the best economic ideas out there to build support for a bold, progressive agenda,” said Robert Reich, former U.S. Labor Secretary. “These 10 ideas could save our economy for the many—not just the wealthy few. We’re offering common-sense solutions to the problems we face today and explaining why they’re necessary and important. It’s a bold agenda—from raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour, to expanding rather than cutting Social Security, to making public higher education free, to raising taxes on the wealthiest members of our society to pay for it. I have faith in MoveOn members’ ability to help change the national conversation and put these ideas on Congress’ agenda as well as to make sure these ideas are addressed on the campaign trail for the 2016 presidential election.”
“MoveOn is thrilled to partner with Robert Reich, one of our nation’s strongest advocates for middle-class and working Americans, on this project to debunk conservative myths and push a progressive economic vision to the center of our political dialogue,” said MoveOn.org Civic Action Executive Director Anna Galland. “We’re excited to involve millions of MoveOn members and Americans across the country in advancing these ideas to save our nation’s economy—and we’re committed to work with our allies and political and economic leaders to move forward this agenda.”
The first video in the series, on increasing the minimum wage to $15 an hour, comes just hours after New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced in a New York Times op-ed on Thursday morning that he would task the state’s labor commissioner with convening a panel focused on raising wages for 180,000 fast-food workers in the state. Organizers pushing for minimum wage hikes praised the move.“Fast-food workers going on strike and speaking out for $15 and union rights have sparked a global Fight for $15 movement that is leading cities, states and elected officials to raise wages,” said
“Fast-food workers going on strike and speaking out for $15 and union rights have sparked a global Fight for $15 movement that is leading cities, states and elected officials to raise wages,” said Flavia Cabral, a 53-year-old mother of two from the Bronx who works at McDonald’s and is a leader in the Fight for $15 movement. “People thought we had no chance to win when we first started calling for $15 here in New York City. But today $15 is the new baseline for service jobs all in all kinds of industries all over the United States. Seattle passed $15, San Francisco passed $15 and now New York City is going to be next. Elected leaders realize that helping workers win $15 an hour is a winning political issue. Helping people improve their lives and move into the middle class is and always has been a winning political issue.”The second video in the series, also released on Thursday, features Reich outlining key policies that will help working families succeed economically, including universal child care, paid family
The second video in the series, also released on Thursday, features Reich outlining key policies that will help working families succeed economically, including universal child care, paid family leave, and ensuring equal pay for equal work.
“MomsRising is thrilled MoveOn.org and Robert Reich are releasing this vitally important video about working families and the policies that are needed to boost both our families and our economy,” said MomsRising Executive Director and CEO Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner. “The sad fact is right now having a baby is a leading cause of poverty spells in the United States. Every day we hear stories from our more than one million MomsRising members about their struggles with unequal pay, lack of paid family leave and paid sick leave, and lack of access to affordable child care. These are fundamental issues that need to be addressed so our families and our economy can thrive. The fact of the matter is that our labor force is 50% women for the first time in history, but our public policies are still stuck in the Stone Ages. It’s time to catch up.”
Earlier this year, MoveOn partnered with Reich on a video about the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), which was viewed by more than 3 million people in just a few days.
For more information, or to request interviews with Robert Reich or a MoveOn.org representative, please contact Brian Stewart at 319-936-3901 or by email at press@moveon.org.