Hello --

The conversations happening right now in Washington are going to set a course for the middle class in this country for years to come.

And that's a discussion that you should be part of.

Unless our leaders can come up with a solution, 98 percent of American families are looking at a tax increase -- with a typical family of four paying $2,000 more starting on January 1.

So it's time for you to step up. We know from experience that when real people come together to speak with one voice, their perspective becomes impossible to ignore.

Here are three Americans who have taken that first step.

Listen to them, then keep the conversation going by telling us why you think it's important to keep taxes from going up on the middle class.



Right now, there's reason to be hopeful. This has the potential to be one of those moments in our politics when lawmakers from both parties come together to do what's best for the country.

You know where President Obama stands when it comes to tackling our nation's deficits. He's committed to doing it in a balanced way, but not at the expense of the middle class. Time and time again, he's argued that we have to combine spending cuts with asking the wealthiest Americans to pay a little more in taxes.

And leaders ranging from the heads of labor unions to the CEO of Walmart are saying that it doesn't make sense to drag this out and leave the middle class uncertain about what they'll be asked to pay in taxes.

If that's a position that you agree with, then we're asking you to make a statement of your own.

I can tell you that no one makes that argument better than real people who have to wrestle with paying bills and juggling family responsibilities every day.

It's on you to add your voice and bring your friends and neighbors into the debate.

Watch this video, then tell us what you think:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/engage/join

Thanks,

David

David Plouffe
Senior Advisor
White House