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* Press release…
Some 80 musicians, authors, filmmakers and other visual and performing artists today are coming together as Artists & Writers for Fair Tax in support of the Fair Tax constitutional amendment in Illinois.
The initial list includes Jeff Tweedy (Wilco), Neko Case, Twin Peaks, Whitney, 40th Ward Alderman Andre Vasquez (formerly known as Prime, a member of the hip-hop collective the Molemen), Ohmme, Makaya McCraven, Eleventh Dream Day and members of Tortoise, as well as authors Jessica Hopper, Greg Kot and Jim DeRogatis and poet Jose Olivarez (scroll down for full list).
The artists will use their social media platforms between now and Election Day to educate fans and followers about the importance of voting Yes for the Fair Tax amendment that will appear at the top of every Illinois voter’s ballot this fall. Using the hashtag #ArtistsForFairTax, today they’re sharing a social graphic created for the campaign by rock poster artist Jay Ryan
* Graphic…
* Full list…
MUSIC: Jeff Tweedy (Wilco), Neko Case, Twin Peaks, Whitney, 40th Ward Alderman Andre Vasquez (fka MC Prime), Spencer Tweedy, Ohmme (Sima Cunningham & Macie Stewart), Makaya McCraven, Doug McCombs (Tortoise, Brokeback, Eleventh Dream Day), Rick Rizzo (Eleventh Dream Day), Janet Bean (Freakwater, Eleventh Dream Day), Jon Langford (Mekons, Waco Brothers), Sally Timms (Mekons), Dean Schlabowske (Waco Brothers), Tim Midyett (Silkworm, Bottomless Pit, Mint Mile), Bethany Thomas, Melkbelly, James Elkington, Ben Lamar Gay, Nora O’Connor, David Singer, Quin Kirchner, Will Miller (Resavoir), Steve Dawson & Diane Christiansen (Dolly Varden), Ayanna Woods, Rachel Drew, Gerald Dowd, Mike Reed, Jonas Friddle, Anna Jacobson, Jason McInnes, Jordan Martins, Kirstin Osgood (CHIMP)
RECORD LABELS: Bloodshot Records, International Anthem
FILM: Gordon Quinn (Kartemquin Films), Bob Hercules (“Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise”)
COMEDY: Mike Oquendo
AUTHORS: Jessica Hopper (“The First Collection of Criticism by a Living Female Rock Critic”), Greg Kot (“I’ll Take You There: Mavis Staples, the Staple Singers and the March up Freedom’s Highway”), Jim DeRogatis (“Soulless: The R Kelly Story”), Jose Olivarez (“Citizen Illegal”), Kathleen Rooney (“Lillian Boxfish Takes A Walk”), Celia C. Perez (“The First Rule of Punk”), Megan Stielstra (“The Wrong Way to Save Your Life”), Joe Meno (“Between Everything and Nothing”), Claire Zulkey, Tony Adler, Martha Bayne (“The Chicago Neighborhood Guidebook”, ed.), Billy Lombardo (“Morning Will Come”), Bayo Ojikutu (“Free Burning”), S.L. Wisenberg (“The Adventures of Cancer Bitch”), Kim Brooks (“Small Animals: Parenthood in the Age of Fear”), Mary Hawley (“Double Tongues”), Mary Anne Mohanraj (“The Stars Change”), Susanna Lang (“Travel Notes from the River Styx”), Janet Burroway (“Writing Fiction: A Guide to Narrative Craft”), Ruth Goring (“Picturing God”), Aaron Cohen (“Move On Up: Chicago Soul Music And Black Cultural Power”), Elaine Soloway (“The Division Street Princess”), Eileen Favorite (“The Heroines”), Maggie Kast (“Side by Side but Never Face to Face”), Carol L. Gloor (“Falling Back”), Arnie Bernstein (“Swastika Nation”), Sharon Bloyd-Peshkin (“Curating Culture”, ed.), Kay Heikkinen (translator: Radwa Ashour’s “The Woman from Tantoura”), Dave Roth (Esthetic Lens magazine), Kimberly Dixon-Mays, Andrea Change (Executive Director, Guild Literary Complex)
VISUAL ARTISTS: Jay Ryan, Jason Pickleman, Marzena Abrahamik, Lynn Basa, Chad Kouri, Mary Livoni, Joerg Metzner, Jessica Pierotti, Jordan Schulman, Emily Thornton Calvo, Ann Tyler, Vincent Uribe
* An example…
Illinois voters! The 1st thing on your ballot—before the presidential race—is the Fair Tax amendment. Please vote YES for tax fairness & funding fairness (raise $3 billion for schools, health care and more). #ArtistsForFairTax @YesForFairTax pic.twitter.com/YxxzRsqpKO
— Neko Case (@NekoCase) September 11, 2020
Thoughts?
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Sep 11, 20 @ 11:56 am
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Is Chance the Rapper sitting this one out?
Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Sep 11, 20 @ 12:01 pm
Will Vasquez use homophobic and misogynist lyrics to support the amendment?
Comment by Pawar Lost Friday, Sep 11, 20 @ 12:06 pm
Does the opinion (informed or not) of artists move the needle at all on a tax proposal? Im skeptical. Celebrity endorsements don’t work and this won’t either.
Comment by Senator Blutarsky Friday, Sep 11, 20 @ 12:11 pm
=Will Vasquez use homophobic and misogynist lyrics to support the amendment?=
If he wants Jeanne Ives to support it he will./s
Comment by JS Mill Friday, Sep 11, 20 @ 12:12 pm
My hunch is that the Venn diagram of folks that listen to Jeff Tweedy and Neko Case, and folks that were already planning on voting for the Fair Tax is close to a full eclipse, but anything that shows more momentum is good.
Comment by Montrose Friday, Sep 11, 20 @ 12:12 pm
== My hunch is that the Venn diagram of folks that listen to Jeff Tweedy and Neko Case, and folks that were already planning on voting for the Fair Tax is close to a full eclipse, but anything that shows more momentum is good. ==
Especially if this increases voter turnout among fans.
Comment by Hamlet's Ghost Friday, Sep 11, 20 @ 12:15 pm
Didn’t know that the graduated income tax question will be at the top of the ballot. That’s awesome and hopefully Griffin’s millions will scare many Illinoisans into voting against a tax cut for themselves, to reach the 50% voting on the question threshold, which could all but guarantee that it will pass.
Comment by Grandson of Man Friday, Sep 11, 20 @ 12:15 pm
Kind of surprised not to see Tony Fitzpatrick on the list.
Comment by OneMan Friday, Sep 11, 20 @ 12:18 pm
Not sure a bunch of folks most of us never heard of won’t push the needle too much but even if the members of Styx, REO Speedwagon, Survivior, Cheap Trick, and Chicago all came out in favor of the “Fair” Tax I would still vote no. The people in charge pushing this cannot be trusted with more money and quite frankly this group doesn’t have the intestinal fortitude to increase taxes on everyone if it doesn’t pass.
Comment by Really Friday, Sep 11, 20 @ 12:19 pm
Jeff Tweedy is closing in on the 100th episode of his pandemic Tweedy Show, available on Instagram and YouTube. He’s been an exceptional community member, raising money for charities, entertaining for free, and remaining an activist. Much respect for him.
Comment by Keyrock Friday, Sep 11, 20 @ 12:19 pm
> Not sure a bunch of folks most of us never heard of
Makaya McCraven’s 2018 album _Universal Beings_ is very good.
https://intlanthem.bandcamp.com/album/universal-beings
Comment by Michael Feltes Friday, Sep 11, 20 @ 12:22 pm
“Not sure a bunch of folks most of us never heard of won’t push the needle too much”
The readers of CapFax aren’t exactly the target audience for this push. As Hamlet’s Ghost said, its about awareness and mobilization for people that aren’t engaged but inclined to support the Fair Tax than changing people’s minds.
Comment by Montrose Friday, Sep 11, 20 @ 12:24 pm
===…I would still vote no. The people in charge pushing this cannot be trusted with more money…===
OK genius. Vote no, but then act surprised when everyone’s tax rates increase next year.
Yes, vote against a tax increase for the wealthy. That is literally the opposite of “sticking it to the man.” Brilliant plan.
Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Sep 11, 20 @ 12:29 pm
I think of the really seriously well-known Illinois-based authors whom I know of (e.g. Turow, Eig, how about Ayers!), & *none* of them are here. Underwhelming, to say the least.
Comment by The Historian Friday, Sep 11, 20 @ 12:41 pm
=== I would still vote no. The people in charge pushing this cannot be trusted with more money===
… and yet Bruce Rauner used every nickel, dime, and penny once the taxes were raised
The ridiculousness that “the people in charge” is “really” code for “whomever I’m against” … it reinforces that being against due to solely partisan sheep-ness is what the Illinois Policy and Ken Griffins hope… to save millionaires.
Really…
… that’s all it is.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Sep 11, 20 @ 12:41 pm
@GrandsonofMan
If someone is opposed (I’m voting “Yes”) would an undervote (skip the question) or a “No” vote be more effective in defeating the measure?
Comment by Hamlet's Ghost Friday, Sep 11, 20 @ 12:43 pm
This crew will definitely move numbers on the ballot question. The folks of Piatt County are always interested in what Twin Peaks has to say. It will for sure move Logan Square from 90% to 91% support.
Comment by Red Ranger Friday, Sep 11, 20 @ 12:45 pm
===quite frankly this group doesn’t have the intestinal fortitude to increase taxes on everyone===
LOL
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Sep 11, 20 @ 12:48 pm
So if we have to vote for fair tax, does that mean the current taxes are unfair and should be removed?
Comment by Madco Friday, Sep 11, 20 @ 12:48 pm
Every single one of these artists is a small business owner. Set aside the artistic aspect of what they do and what they do is run a small business. And they support the Fair Tax.
And they’re not alone. Your mom & pop corner store owners may never get up on stage before hundreds of happy customers, but they know how the income tax structure hits them, and how Fair Tax will be an improvement.
Comment by Socially DIstant Watcher Friday, Sep 11, 20 @ 12:48 pm
=== this group doesn’t have the intestinal fortitude to increase taxes on everyone===
Then why be against *any* raising of the taxes… or say that passage will lead to *more* higher taxes soon?
Your bot talking points aren’t reconciling with IPI messaging.
Reboot and start over.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Sep 11, 20 @ 12:52 pm
I wish there were more comedians.
Comment by LBJ Friday, Sep 11, 20 @ 12:53 pm
As Bill & Ted would say, Excellent!
Comment by LoyalVirus Friday, Sep 11, 20 @ 12:53 pm
“If someone is opposed (I’m voting “Yes”) would an undervote (skip the question) or a “No” vote be more effective in defeating the measure?”
I think I misunderstand how a ballot amendment is adopted. After going back and reading about it, it’s 60% voting on the question or a simple majority voting in the election. If everyone has to vote on the question for the simple majority to kick in, then that is a very hard threshold to reach.
But yes, a flat tax hike would be coming without the graduated income tax. It is inhumane to just do spending cuts.
Comment by Grandson of Man Friday, Sep 11, 20 @ 12:55 pm
===quite frankly this group doesn’t have the intestinal fortitude to increase taxes on everyone===
Your assertion is that a dem supermajority and a dem governor wouldn’t vote to increase taxes? 🤔
Comment by Lester Holt’s Mustache Friday, Sep 11, 20 @ 1:02 pm
“Not sure a bunch of folks most of us never heard of won’t push the needle too much”
It’s always odd to see someone who nobody has heard of express an opinion downplaying the persuasive value of the options of people who anyone has heard of.
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Friday, Sep 11, 20 @ 1:18 pm
“So if we have to vote for fair tax, does that mean the current taxes are unfair and should be removed?”
You’re adorable.
Comment by Montrose Friday, Sep 11, 20 @ 1:28 pm
“Not sure a bunch of people most of us have never heard of”.
I hear you and get your point. I was listening to Styx yesterday, but a live Melkbelly show is one heck of a good time. Not picking on anyone, but maybe it is time to get out more (after the virus is over).
I also get the argument that Team Madigan and Team Pritzker can not be trusted, but a progressive tax is a sound and better way to fund state government.
Comment by Back to the Future Friday, Sep 11, 20 @ 1:40 pm
==Not sure a bunch of folks most of us never heard of won’t push the needle too much==
The fact that Ken Griffin is against it (and set aside $20 million for it’s defeat) tells me all I need to know.
Comment by Jocko Friday, Sep 11, 20 @ 1:48 pm
Seem to recall Capt. Fax was a big WILCO fan…so this should flip him into the Y column…even before the big ad buys
Comment by Annoin' Friday, Sep 11, 20 @ 1:50 pm
== It will for sure move Logan Square from 90% to 91% support. ==
Speaking of Logan Square, Fair Tax might be the only potentially competitive item on the ballot in that neighborhood.
Biden and Durbin are non-competitive statewide and Logan Square US House and ILGA races are likely non-competitive as well.
A message that the Fair Tax vote matters should increase turnout.
Comment by Hamlet's Ghost Friday, Sep 11, 20 @ 1:55 pm
The ILGOP painted itself as the party who will do anything rather than tax the richest a modestly higher amount. That’s obviously not good, when demographics are trending against the party who’s already a super-minority.
Comment by Grandson of Man Friday, Sep 11, 20 @ 2:18 pm
Totally disappointed with the Fair Tax campaign. Maybe it would help if I had something else to listen to other than the baloney coming from opponents.
Comment by Norseman Friday, Sep 11, 20 @ 2:24 pm
=== Totally disappointed with the Fair Tax campaign. Maybe it would help if I had something else to listen to other than the baloney coming from opponents.===
- Norseman -
Worry not.
Once they’re done sharing kitty and puppy videos and wasting time on Zoom calls justified they’re sitting on over $51 million and doing nothing for weeks and weeks…
… they *may* get so bored… that they may try doing …something
Sincerely, what have y’all been doing?
You can’t hang out at coffee houses all day.
If this goes down, what a colossal failure of the lazy.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Sep 11, 20 @ 2:28 pm
I see lots of “vote yes” commercials on TV, sometimes maybe back to back.
Comment by Grandson of Man Friday, Sep 11, 20 @ 2:58 pm
That musical lineup would make for a pretty great State Fair day. Or a month’s worth of headliner’s at the Hideout.
Comment by Rich Hill Friday, Sep 11, 20 @ 3:09 pm
OW is right. The Pritzker people had the airwaves, social media etc all to themselves for months. They could have been doing so much more when they had zero competition. Now its almost a fair fight when it comes to resources and the time-frame has been completely compressed. Total unforced error.
Comment by Red Ranger Friday, Sep 11, 20 @ 3:09 pm
No need for comedians, this is such a joke to leverage money from the middle class Pritzker should have given the $56M to the general fund.
Comment by Concerned Citizens Friday, Sep 11, 20 @ 3:24 pm
In my fantasy, Obama and Jim Edgar get together for a bipartisan ad pushing the tax. Anyway, I do think celebrities might help but you’d need more starpower than this. And yes, the anti-tax people have been stronger to-date with their “this won’t be the end of it” message than the pro-tax people with “go to a website and calculate your savings.”
Though it’s nice to be reminded of Eleventh Dream Day.
Comment by lake county democrat Friday, Sep 11, 20 @ 3:25 pm
===leverage money from the middle class===
Is that you Ken Griffin?
97% of income tax payers will see no raise in their income tax.
Keep up, please.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Sep 11, 20 @ 3:26 pm
“New Pornographers for Fair Tax”
Guessing that won’t make the marketing cut.
Comment by City Zen Friday, Sep 11, 20 @ 3:34 pm
Don’t listen to economists who pubish in American Economic Review. Listen to Jeff Tweedy, he’s an expert.
Comment by Cook County Thinker Friday, Sep 11, 20 @ 4:06 pm
I thought the Mekons loved millionaires.
Comment by Going nuclear Friday, Sep 11, 20 @ 4:14 pm