A majority of our residents now face an unprecedented crisis, a crisis of everyday life, not being able to afford a decent quality of life and pay their bills for essentials. Human rights of these residents are being systematically violated by the continued neglect of our elected government. Economic conditions have created a depression for so many of our low income residents while prices for essentials are rapidly rising. And the budget for the coming year proposed by our Mayor and passed by our City Council is woefully inadequate to confront this crisis.
During my campaigning I have talked to many residents whose lives are more miserable than ever. At least a third of our children live in poverty. Misery and great wealth coexist side by side in our community. Charity alone will not wipe out poverty. To be sure, the federal government is a partner in this injustice by denying our residents the full rights of any citizen, which DC Statehood would bring. But our Mayor and City Council have all too often deflected their own responsibility by blaming Congress alone, and falsely alleging that we have an insufficient tax base to better provide for those in need. We must push the limits of what is possible under the Home Rule Charter to improve the quality of life of our residents and to empower the struggle for DC Statehood..
I urge that the City Council immediately declare a STATE OF EMERGENCY, and act to boost our budget for programs that serve our working class majority. The Council should act now to tap into the real tax base that exists in the District, the under-taxed income of the wealthiest residents, so that the needed revenue can be created. I URGE THAT THE COUNCIL ACT NOW TO PRIORITIZE HUMAN NEEDS OVER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THAT FAVORS THE FEW AT THE EXPENSE OF THE MANY. A modest hike in DC millionaire's taxes will generate $ hundreds of millions in revenue, Maryland has raised their taxes, why can't DC? Obama says he will repeal of Bush's tax breaks for the wealthy, why can't our DC Democrats, one Republican and Independent in charge do the same here? The Council should act immediately to pass the Thomas bill that will keep public property public, and take immediate steps to use public property for municipal functions instead of continuing to rent private facilities. The Council should immediately reverse the closure of 23 neighborhood schools instead of turning them over to other uses.
I pledge to all residents that once elected to the Council I will promote all necessary legislation prioritizing the needs of our majority instead of providing subsidies to the most affluent and the big corporate sector. But no real change will come without a united front of the movements that demand a more just DC, parents, workers, venders, tenants, the homeless. I pledge that once elected to the City Council my office in the Wilson Building will be a resource center for all these movements.
David Schwartzman
At-Large City Council Candidate davidschwartzman.com
DC Statehood Green Party
dschwartzman@gmail.com, 829-9063; Cell: 202-321-5395
