Searchlight Institute

Home of the next realignment. We think big, embrace heterodoxy, and chart the future of public policy and action.

[Searchlight Institute @SearchlightInst]

It's a beautiful day in the political neighborhood — all nine of them.

From the Liberal Arts Left to Cul-de-Sac Conservatives, Lawn Sign Liberals to the Center Square.

What kind of neighbor are you? Take the quiz!
https://t.co/GUjBZUXU62

[Searchlight Institute @SearchlightInst]

🚨 @AshleySchapitl: To advance good politics, Democrats don’t need to become a watered-down version of the anti-tax GOP.
https://t.co/1UmCYrKCU0

[Ashley Schapitl @AshleySchapitl]

No more “No Tax On” slop! No more plans to exempt the majority of taxpayers from any taxes at all!

Fund the tax police and restore some credibility in the tax system. Me for @SearchlightInst https://t.co/CrcmD5HnG3

[Searchlight Institute @SearchlightInst]

To counter the bipartisan tax revolt, start by funding the tax police, @AshleySchapitl says:

I saw what the IRS could do when it had the resources to do its job and change the incentives for tax avoidance at the very top of society.

We pursued high-income non-filers, audited corporate jets, and unwound byzantine partnership structures.

Unfortunately, Trump and his GOP majority defunded our nation’s tax police, and much of this work was reversed.

But this experience gave me a window into what America would look like if we had the sort of trust in our tax system that many Scandinavian countries have — when the public knows that everyone, including the ultra-wealthy, is paying their fair share.
https://t.co/CBlpP71VxN

[Ashley Schapitl @AshleySchapitl]

Like many in tax world, I’ve been dismayed at how bipartisan the tax revolt has become. Exempting more people and income from taxes. How do we combat these bad ideas? Fund the tax police again to restore credibility. My guest piece for @SearchlightInst. https://t.co/CrcmD5HnG3

[Searchlight Institute @SearchlightInst]

https://t.co/aunqsLSYe5

[Searchlight Institute @SearchlightInst]

Ads accusing Republicans of corruption are dominating the airwaves. Polling suggests that's a powerful closing message for Democrats.

But @HMBWhite wants Democrats to remember that voters see MOST politicians as corrupt — not just Trump and Republicans.

[Searchlight Institute @SearchlightInst]

Focus instead on fixing the tax system so that it works. https://t.co/N49KOmTmpv

[Emily Kraschel @EKraschel]

Narrow levies and tax carve outs aren’t meeting America’s revenue or safety net needs. The whack-a-mole approach to the tax code is no longer cutting it. We need to think differently about taxes.

[tré easton @treeaston]

Taxes are not punishment. Nor are they a cure all for every new policy problem our leaders encounter. They are a tool to finance a fair, prosperous, and generous society.

It's time to get back to basics. My very smart colleague @EKraschel lays out the path forward.
https://t.co/ZE78S5zlrI

[Searchlight Institute @SearchlightInst]

Picture it: A tax system that closes loopholes and restores the public’s trust so that everyone has a stake in a bigger, broader social safety net.
https://t.co/5UMw1wKkeL

[Searchlight Institute @SearchlightInst]

Taxes aren’t the problem.

A government that fails to collect and spend taxes wisely is the problem.

It’s time we had A Contributory State of Mind.

[Searchlight Institute @SearchlightInst]

Public trust in our tax system has eroded — but to fund priorities like universal health care, we’ll need to restore that trust.

Let's start by fixing what's already wrong with the tax code. Here’s how.

[Searchlight Institute @SearchlightInst]

That's why the federal government must get the tax basics right.

We've drafted a framework that'd raise significant revenue and ensure the wealthiest families and most-profitable corporations pay what they owe.

Take a look. https://t.co/5UMw1wKS4j

[Searchlight Institute @SearchlightInst]

What if our tax system worked so well that everyone was proud to pay into it?

Introducing A CONTRIBUTORY STATE OF MIND — a framework designed to restore trust in taxes and raise the revenue needed to expand the social safety net.

[Searchlight Institute @SearchlightInst]

Taxes themselves are not the issue — most Americans feel that paying taxes makes them a good citizen.

The problem is that taxpayers believe the system is unfair and are often frustrated by the inadequate government assistance offered in return.

[Henry White @HMBWhite]

Dems are right to close with attacks about corruption: voters HATE Trump and R's dirty-dealing behavior.

But the Party can't rest on its laurels if they sweep in November. Voters think BOTH parties are corrupt and Dems will need to look inward if they take the majority.

[Searchlight Institute @SearchlightInst]

Corruption has emerged as a key issue in the closing weeks of the midterms and Democratic campaigns are capitalizing.

@HMBWhite writes that "Democrats are right to run against corruption. But they can’t treat it as solely a campaign issue."
https://t.co/aunqsLSYe5

[Crooked Media @CrookedMedia]

.@AJentleson discusses how Democrats can learn from Barack Obama's method of creating a widespread & inviting coalition.

[Pavan Venkatakrishnan @ppavnr]

Agree w this fella

[Searchlight Institute @SearchlightInst]

We ❤️ BAAJA because it’ll lower costs, build clean energy, hold data centers accountable, and stop Trump from playing politics with permitting.