United for a Fair Economy

CONTACT:

29 Winter St.
Boston, MA 02108

www.FairEconomy.org

Brian Miller, Executive Director

DESCRIPTION:

The first beneficiaries of expanding economies are the relatively few investors and entrepreneurs—whom profit incentives directly reward rather than the relatively many workers, who also help make it happen. For several decades now, the American economy has been hugely expanding, with globalization and technological revolution. While real wages have been stagnant (since 1973 average hourly earnings actually declined, though only by 0.4%) capital gains and high-end salaries have multiplied—the most egregious example being CEOs' salaries, which from 1980-2004 soared from 42 times the average worker's salary, to 301 times the average. Almost everyone agrees that the growing disparity is socially and politically unhealthy, though analysts differ on the causes and cures. In this context, it is inevitable that both philanthropy and government are drawn into the discussions.

United for a Fair Economy (UFE) is a response on the philanthropic side, founded in 1995 by people concerned about increasing maldistributions of wealth and income. Organizing to promote fair taxation is UFE's strategy for achieving a more just society. Toward this goal, they work with many different groups to influence taxation debates at national, state and local levels, and have spearheaded the effort to preserve the estate tax. Making complex economic information accessible, interesting, and politically compelling is not easy, and they are working hard to teach well. They need your help, and invite you to join the struggle.

(2002: HUMAN SERVICES: Well-Being)