Angry about the tax bill? We have to keep using our power

In walks my third-grader, who wants to understand.

I explain that rich people want more money. They will be taking it away from her teachers to pay for their private airplanes (teacher supply deduction removed; deduction for private jet maintenance added). They will take it away from her aunt and uncle so they can avoid paying tax altogether (nephew’s college tuition waiver taxed as income; scaling back the alternative minimum tax).

Now she’s crying.

We talk about where our power lies:

I vote. I vote for people who represent the middle class.

I speak. I write, call, email, show up to my representatives.

I donate. To groups working to support the causes of justice, fairness, environmental protection, and open, transparent democracy.

I spend money locally as much as possible and at companies with more progressive and/or inclusive policies.

I live my values. Right is right, even when no one is doing it. Wrong is wrong, even when everybody’s doing it.

Now we are resolved. To keep doing the next right thing. One right thing at a time. Because we can do hard things.

Stand up. Show up. Use your power. For good.

This story was originally published December 11, 2017 at 1:55 PM with the headline "Angry about the tax bill? We have to keep using our power."