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Private equity executives want every debate over their power to happen behind closed doors, surrounded by highly paid lobbyists who insist that their takeovers, debt, layoffs, price increases, and service cuts are simply the cost of doing business. They do not want the public talking about who pays the price when Wall Street takes control of a hospital, apartment building, nursing home, childcare center, veterinary clinic, employer, or other essential service. But our new national polling shows that people across the political spectrum see exactly what is happening. Six in 10 voters say Wall Street and the financial industry already have too much control over the economy. Nearly 2 in 3 support guardrails to stop private equity firms from maximizing short-term profits by cutting jobs and reducing the quality of goods and services. Only 11% support giving the industry special exemptions. The concern becomes even more overwhelming when private equity reaches into the basic necessities of life. Eighty-three percent of voters are concerned about Wall Street firms taking control of healthcare and veterinary care, 81 percent are concerned about housing, and two thirds are concerned about childcare. Majorities across party lines agree that private equity’s growing control over healthcare and housing is dangerous. We use this polling to force private equity’s abuses into the national conversation. We bring the findings to reporters, members of Congress, and congressional staff to prove that voters want fewer Wall Street carveouts and stronger protections for workers, consumers, patients, tenants, and communities.
The polling shows that 83% of voters are worried about Wall Street taking control of healthcare. Backed up by a personal story describing a hospital closure, an impossible bill, or a dangerous staffing shortage shows exactly why it matters. Polling can demonstrate overwhelming concern about private equity in housing. A real person describing a sudden rent increase, neglected repairs, or displacement exposes who is forced to pay for Wall Street’s profits helps put it in perspective for elected leaders, the media, and the public at large. Perhaps your employer was bought, loaded with debt, stripped down, and pushed toward bankruptcy. Perhaps workers were laid off while executives collected fees and payouts. Maybe a nursing home lost staff, a veterinary clinic became unaffordable, a childcare center raised prices, or a familiar local business deteriorated after a private equity takeover. Your experience can help us connect Wall Street’s business model to the damage people can see in their own lives. These stories strengthen our research, sharpen our advocacy, and help us break through the industry’s spin. They give journalists evidence they can investigate and give members of Congress a clear picture of what private equity extraction means for their constituents. Wall Street can argue with a policy proposal. It is much harder to wave away thousands of people describing the same pattern of higher costs, worse service, lost jobs, and weakened communities. If you don’t have a private equity story of your own, you can still help us expose the industry and fight for reform. Independent polling, original research, detailed reports, media outreach, and the staff who work directly with members of Congress all require resources. Private equity firms have trillions of dollars under management and armies of lobbyists defending their power. We depend on people who believe the economy should serve the public. Make a donation to help us expose private equity’s damage and turn public outrage into real reform. If you've saved your payment information with ActBlue Express, your secure donation will go through immediately: Thank you for helping us build a financial system that serves people and communities. -Aditi. Aditi Sen (she/her)
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