The Big Banks Broke Our Economy – Now They Need to Fix It!

Mike & Friends Blog

Hugh Espey

Hugh Espey is the Executive Director of Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement.

10 Comments Print

January 25th, 2010 9:01 PM

The Big Banks Broke Our Economy – Now They Need to Fix It!

The Showdown in America hits Des Moines, Iowa Tuesday, Jan. 26

By Hugh Espey

We invite you to join us Tuesday, Jan. 26 as we take our message of Enough is Enough! – Put the People First! to the doorsteps of Wells Fargo – one of the big banks that crashed our economy and state budgets. We will demand they change the way they do business and that they give their bonuses – expected to total $26 BILLION – back to the states facing devastating budget shortfalls.

While the recession lingers and access to affordable credit shrinks for the rest of us and state budget cuts are being made on the backs of everyday people, big banks and Wall Street - the very institutions that crashed our economy and were bailed out by taxpayer dollars - are back to business as usual with record profits and lavish bonuses. And on top of that, they are spending millions to block meaningful financial reform designed to protect us, jacking up consumer fees, and financing payday lenders that suck millions out of our community. People are fed up.

This is an historic opportunity for us to push the banks and our elected officials to stand on the side of the people and rein in corporate power and greed. We hope you’ll join us.

Be a part of the Showdown: Meet at the Wallace Building auditorium (502 E 9th St, just NW of the State Capitol in Des Moines) at 2 pm for the call to action (The Google). Click here for more details.

Check out today's Huffington Post article highlighting the event, 'The Next Populist Flashpoint? State Budget Shortfalls Meet Big Bank Bonuses.'

* The Showdown in Des Moines is the first in a series of Showdowns that are being planned across the country where the American people will go toe-to-toe with the big banks. In October, more than 5,000 participated in the Showdown in Chicago as part of National People's Action's (national coalition of grassroots organizing groups of which CCI is an affiliate) Showdown in America (www.showdowninamerica.org) where we called on the Big Banks and our elected officials to stand on the side of the people.

** The protest is a part of Iowa CCI’s Showdown at the Statehouse, a rally and lobby event where CCI members are calling on elected officials to Put People First! - stop balancing the state budget on the backs of everyday people, crack down on payday lenders and factory farm polluters, make college affordable for all and pass campaign contribution limits to give everyday people greater voice and reduce the influence of big money in our political process.

Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement is a multi-issue, membership-based organizing group made up of everyday people who talk, act and get things done on issues that matter most. With thousands of members from all walks of life -- urban and rural, black and white, immigrants and lifelong Iowans -- CCI has been tackling tough issues and getting things done for 35 years.

Tags: