Coffee Party launches taxpayer/budget initiative, "Coffee Breaks to Save America"

April 1, 2011 - PRLog -- COFFEE PARTY LAUNCHES “COFFEE BREAKS TO SAVE AMERICA”
Tax day inspires “Chamber of Citizens” to challenge corporate power in April actions

April 1, 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Pittsburgh, PA –  Coffee Party USA’s new campaign, “Coffee Breaks to Save America,” is using social media tools to empower informed and engaged Americans to devote 15 minutes per day this month for collective actions on the issues of tax code reform, Wall Street reform, and campaign finance reform.

“Whether you have a job, or whether you are a out there looking for one, every American deserves a coffee break,” said Christina Broyer, an on-line coordinator from New Hampshire who suggested the Coffee Break idea via Facebook. “We’re asking our members and supporters to set a few minutes aside, grab a cup of coffee, and do something for our country.”

In response to national debate as to whether the 2008 financial meltdown and subsequent budget shortfalls should be paid for by America’s working families, the Coffee Party’s April actions are designed to give voice to Americans whose lives will be impacted by cuts to public safety, education, and public health programs at the state and federal level.  The Coffee Party is reimbursing organizers who serve coffee to people who attend coordinated teach-ins, protests, and speak-outs.  And, it is using an innovative web campaign to encourage creative and informative “Coffee Breaks” that involve on-line activity.

“Taxpayers’ interests are ignored in DC,” said Coffee Party coordinator Tom Dufour of Mt. Lebanon, PA.  “We are basically being governed by corporate lobbyists.  The loopholes in tax code, campaign finance, and Wall Street regulations need to be closed.  Accountability disappears into these giant loopholes.”

The Coffee Breaks initiative launched this morning with actions scheduled for the first 5 days of April.  Participants from around the country are currently using Facebook to plan actions for April 6 — 30.  Coffee Party initiatives this month will be promoted by a series of web videos entitled, “Survivor: Trickle-down Economics,” starring every-day Americans who begin with the simple statement, “I pay taxes” (see the first installment at:  www.CoffeePartyUSA.com/Survivor ).  Coffee Party co-founder, and award-winning film director Eric Byler shot the second installment yesterday in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and will shoot the third installment in Pittsburgh, PA tomorrow.  People across the U.S. have been contributing digital photos, video clips, and voice messages to the effort.

Coffee Party founder and spokesperson Annabel Park is planning an on-line Coffee Break initiative called “US Chamber of Citizens.”  “We need to form a US Chamber of Citizens and bring the interests of the people to Capitol Hill. Let's ask our elected officials to choose.  Will they look out for the interests of big industries and the US chamber of Commerce or of the interests of the US Chamber of Citizens?”

The Coffee Party’s trans-partisan approach has been criticized by activists on the left and the right, and questioned by those who interpret “trans-partisan” to mean centrist.  “We never aimed or claimed to be centrists,” said Byler.  “We are advocating for reality-based policies over ideologically-based policies, and taking direct action in struggle between corporate interests and the interests of the American people.  In our view, there is not a partisan issue.”

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Contact: Eric Byler, Eric@CoffeePartyUSA.com
Official website: www.CoffeePartyUSA.com  
National Facebook page: www.facebook.com/coffeeparty  
YouTube: www.YouTube.com/CoffeePartyUSA
Twitter: @CoffeePartyUSA

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Coffee Party began when Annabel Park updated her Facebook status with a "rant" about divisive, inaccurate political rhetoric. Our goal is to use people power and new media to reign in corporate influence, and usher in a new era of participatory democracy.