Ellison's introduction of H.R. 1464, the
Inclusive Prosperity Act, is not just isolated
to the United States, but part of a worldwide
movement which is widely viewed as
inspired by King's poetic reimagining of the
nation as a Beloved Community in which
wealth is shared, material needs met, and
finance is a tool of the people. H.R. 1464 is
patterned after a similar measure being
implemented by 11 countries in the Euro-
pean Union, and already in place in every
major financial world market except the
United States.
"Rev. Dr. King boldly proclaimed that we
as a nation must undergo a 'radical revolu-
tion of values' to become a society that puts
people ahead of profits," said George Goehl,
executive director of National People's
Action, which is working in coalition with
National Nurses United to win such a
tax. "With the gap between the rich and
everyone else rising to new heights, we must
heed Dr. King's words now more than ever.
The Robin Hood Tax would be a step
towards a society that puts people and the
planet first, taking a small percentage of
profits from the few to benefit the many."
The vigils were held outside Congression-
al offices in Alabama, California, Florida,
Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts,
Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New York,
North Carolina, Ohio, Texas, and Vermont,
and nurses and activists followed up with
visits to legislators asking them to support
the Robin Hood Tax. As of May, about 20
members of the House of Representatives
had signed on to cosponsor H.R. 1464.
"Inequality in health, rampant hunger,
homelessness and poverty, all critical causes
of Dr. King's life, continue to devastate far
too many families," said Deborah Burger,
RN and member of NNU's Council of Presi-
dents. "We need
the Robin Hood
Tax to protect
our health, our
families, our
communities,
and our nation."
—Staff report
A P R I L | M AY 2 0 1 5 W W W . N A T I O N A L N U R S E S U N I T E D . O R G N A T I O N A L N U R S E 7
Sen. Bernie Sanders
has introduced a
Robin Hood Tax,
S. 1371, in the Sen-
ate. For a full report,
see the next issue.
