Week 1: Economic Awareness & Quick Wins
Overview
Start building economic justice with simple actions that expose wealth inequality and corporate greed.
Key Takeaways
- Calculate and share the wealth gap: compare billionaire wealth to your income
- Expose CEO-to-worker pay ratios at major corporations
- Share your economic struggles and demand living wages
- Educate 5 people about wealth inequality and billionaire taxation
- Research and expose corporate tax dodging in your state
Deep Dive
This week exposes the rigged economy. **Action 1: Wealth Gap** - Visualize inequality: If you make $50k/year, it would take you 2 MILLION YEARS to earn what Jeff Bezos makes in one year. Share this on social media. Make inequality visible. **Action 2: CEO Pay** - Research CEO-to-worker pay ratios at major companies (AFL-CIO database: aflcio.org/paywatch). Share shocking examples: McDonald's CEO makes 1,100x more than workers. **Action 3: Share Your Story** - Post about economic struggles: rent eating half your paycheck, student debt, medical bills. Use #TaxBillionaires #LivingWage. Personal stories build political will. **Action 4: Tax Education** - Explain to 5 people: Billionaires pay lower tax rates than teachers. Amazon paid $0 federal taxes in 2018 despite $11B profit. We need wealth taxes. **Action 5: Corporate Tax Dodging** - Research which corporations in your state use tax havens or get massive subsidies. Expose it publicly.
Real-World Impact
By making inequality visible, you build public outrage and support for economic justice policies. Every conversation shifts someone closer to demanding systemic change.
Knowledge Check
Why do billionaires often pay lower tax rates than working people?
Take Action
Knowledge without action is just information. Here are concrete steps you can take to advocate for this policy:
Visualize and Share Wealth Inequality
Calculate how long it would take you to earn Bezos/Musk's annual income. Share the shocking numbers on social media.
Expose CEO-to-Worker Pay Ratios
Research and publicize CEO pay ratios at major corporations. Demand pay caps.
Research and Expose Corporate Tax Dodging
Investigate which corporations in your state dodge taxes or get subsidies. Share findings. Demand accountability.