Chuck Collins

Chuck Collins

@chuck77.bsky.social

Campaigner, researcher, storyteller, homestead farmer, author, dad. Director of the Program on Inequality and the Common Good at the Institute for Policy Studies where I coedit Inequality.org. Writing at www.chuckcollinswrites.com.

429 followers48 following45 posts

Chuck Collins reposted

Tax Private Jets
@taxprivatejets.org

NYT: On her way out the door, Noem’s DHS paid one of her political donors for a massive private jet, complete with a stand-up bar, two bedrooms, marble showers and... A TABLE COVERED IN A MANTA RAY SKIN???!!! + 4 MORE PRIVATE JETS... that they are not even using. www.nytimes.com/2026/10/04/u... 🎁

nytimes.comKristi Noem’s Agency Gave Her Donor a Lucrative Contract Just Before She Left (Gift Article)The Homeland Security Department signed a multi-million dollar agreement to buy five aircraft from a company owned by a political contributor of the secretary on her last day, documents show.

Chuck Collins reposted

Institute for Policy Studies
@ips-dc.org

NEW: @insidephilanthropy.com spoke with @bdevaan.bsky.social about our new Gilded Giving 2026 report, including the negative impact President Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” has had on both the nonprofit sector and the lives of everyday Americans.

insidephilanthropy.comFour Key Takeaways from a New Report on “Philanthropy Under Oligarchy”The Institute for Policy Studies paints a dire picture of funders hoarding wealth and capitulating to the president. It also offers glimmers of hope.
Chuck Collins
@chuck77.bsky.social

Meet the snowflake billionaires of California --whose wealth is exploding but who are spending $$$ to fight a one-time 5% wealth tax.

Institute for Policy Studies@ips-dc.org

NEW: We found 22 billionaires trying to shoot down the 5% billionaire wealth tax that Californians will vote on this November. In the last 20 months, their combined wealth increased $282.6 billion — a gain of over 64%. IPS scholar @chuck77.bsky.social in @inequality.org:

inequality.orgBillionaire Bankrollers: Meet the 22 California Billionaires Opposing the Prop 40 Tax on BillionairesA cadre of anti-tax Californians have seen their personal wealth increase by over 64 percent in the last twenty months.
Chuck Collins
@chuck77.bsky.social

Over polluting and undertaxed. It's time to re-think the use of private jets. Check out this excellent coverage of the High Flyers 2026 Report @taxprivatejets.org @inequality.org @ips-dc.org www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...

theguardian.comPrivate jets pollute up to 14 times as much as commercial planes and are undertaxed in US, report saysNumber of private jets has surged in recent years, but they do not pay commensurate portion of fees to FAA operations

Chuck Collins reposted

Tax Private Jets
@taxprivatejets.org

EXCLUSIVE: satellite images of Teterboro — the busiest private jet airport in America, 3 miles from MetLife Stadium — on the day of the World Cup final. 330+ jets parked on the ramp. A normal day: 205. Count them yourself. 👇

Chuck Collins reposted

Institute for Policy Studies
@ips-dc.org

NEW: Over the World Cup final weekend, roughly 3,000 private jet flights moved in and out of the New York area. On final day, private-jet CO₂ in the region more than doubled its five-year norm. This is the most carbon-intensive way a person can travel — and one of the least taxed. Tax private jets.

Chuck Collins reposted

Tax Private Jets
@taxprivatejets.org

The World Cup final drew Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Tom Cruise, the Beckhams — quite the star-studded crowd. Getting the richest of the rich there took ~3,000 private jet flights. Then, the tarmac emptied the second the whistle blew. Private jet pollution spiked to 𝟯× normal.

Chuck Collins reposted

Inequality.org
@inequality.org

"FIFA is clearly competing to produce the world’s most polluting sport competition... The World Cup belongs to everyone, not just the private jet class." @taxprivatejets.org @inequality.org @ips-dc.org @patrioticmillionaires.org www.commondreams.org/opinion/fifa...

commondreams.orgThe FIFA World Cup: Private Jet Pollution Spikes | Common DreamsThe FIFA World Cup final is marred by wildfire smoke and private jet pollution, putting the health of fans and the planet at risk. Should FIFA ban private jets to protect our environment and make the ...

Chuck Collins reposted

Tax Private Jets
@taxprivatejets.org

THIS IS THE WORLD CUP: a huge spike in carbon emissions from private jets The blue line is 2026 carbon emissions from private jets in and around Atlanta from Jul 13 - 17. The gray band outlines the high and low bands from 2021-2025. Can you find the kickoff time? ⚽🟥 bsky.app/profile/taxp...

Tax Private Jets@taxprivatejets.org

England v. Argentina in Atlanta: private jet carbon emissions ran 𝟭𝟲𝟴% 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘃𝗲 the region's 5-year average during the same dates Nearly triple. For one match. Tax private jets.

Chuck Collins reposted

Institute for Policy Studies
@ips-dc.org

With ample evidence that Elon Musk’s wealth was already capable of warping our society around it, his ascension to trillionaire status should be seen as a major threat to the health of the economy and American democracy, writes @chuck77.bsky.social.

otherwords.orgMusk's Trillion-Dollar Fortune Is a Flashing Warning Light for Democracy - OtherWordsThe planet’s first trillionaire is not a sign of economic health. It’s an indicator of extreme inequality and the dangers of concentrated power.

Chuck Collins reposted

Patriotic Millionaires
@patrioticmillionaires.org

The impact of extreme wealth goes beyond the number on a bank account. It can fundamentally reshape one's ability to connect with the rest of society. In a new piece by Dr. David Cox (featuring @chuck77.bsky.social!), he explores the "dark psychology" of money.

sciencefocus.comFrom Epstein to Wall Street: The dark psychology of how money makes monsters | BBC Science Focus MagazineOne look at the news cycle would have you thinking that money and crime are inevitably linked. But what does science have to say?
Chuck Collins
@chuck77.bsky.social

I'm not afraid to call myself a 'Swiftie' AND I want to call her out for purchasing carbon offsets that are symbolic at best. As I say in the article, 'A warming planet cannot sort out little offset deals.' @inequality.org @ips-dc.org @patrioticmillionaires.org www.dailymail.com/tvshowbiz/ar...

dailymail.comTaylor Swift's insane number of private jet flights already this yearTaylor Swift has been racking up carbon emissions and eye-watering fuel costs as she prepares for her eagerly anticipated wedding to Travis Kelce.

Chuck Collins reposted

Institute for Policy Studies
@ips-dc.org

Trump seemed to think he could accomplish something dramatic and “beautiful” in Iran — but then found that wasn’t so likely.

commondreams.orgThere Is No Bigger Trump Lie Right Now Than Him Saying the Iran War Is Good for You—or the World | Common DreamsThere is a popular view that this is a pointless war, being fought for nothing. But that is wrong—there is a purpose. Actually, there are several. You're just never told what they are.

Chuck Collins reposted

Institute for Policy Studies
@ips-dc.org

The big tech employers of the gig economy — companies like Amazon and DoorDash — are using personal data to pay their workers unfair wages. We need more transparency, not exploitation packaged as “innovation.” Michael Huggins on @inequality.org

inequality.orgBig Tech Built a Gig Economy That Works Against UsSurveillance pricing is squeezing workers dependent on the gig economy — especially Black workers. Algorithmic transparency is the first step to fighting back.

Chuck Collins reposted

Institute for Policy Studies
@ips-dc.org

If we care for our communities, that must include unhoused people too. And with a reported 771,480 people experiencing homelessness in the U.S., we need states and cities to invest in social housing programs and supportive services.

otherwords.orgThe Way Home Exists — We’re Living Proof - OtherWordsCities across the country are considering permanently affordable housing. That’s good — but we’ll keep more people off the streets if we also invest in supportive services.
Chuck Collins
@chuck77.bsky.social

"The problem isn’t wealth, per se, but the corrosive power of excessive wealth in our economic system and our suffering democracy." The Case for Blaming Billionaires www.insidephilanthropy.com/home/the-cas...

insidephilanthropy.comThe Case for Blaming BillionairesResponding to a recent column by IP Editor-in-Chief David Callahan, Chuck Collins weighs in on why, in this political moment, “it’s time to vocally and unflinchingly blame the billionaires.”
Chuck Collins
@chuck77.bsky.social

Senators Sanders and Warren have both proposed wealth taxes this spring. I've taken a look at them both and here's a breakdown for you @counterpunchmedia.bsky.social @inequality.org @ips-dc.org @patrioticmillionaires.org www.counterpunch.org/2026/04/07/t...

counterpunch.orgTwo Bold Proposals to Tax Wealth Across the LandHow can the U.S. reverse democracy-distorting concentrations of wealth and power? A federal annual wealth tax must be part of the equation. The richest

Chuck Collins reposted

Inequality.org
@inequality.org

Our co-editor @sarahanderson.bsky.social on solving the wage suppression factor in the affordability crisis through: ⬆️ federal minimum wage 💪 union rights ⬆️ taxes on corporations with big CEO-worker pay gaps www.marketwatch.com/story/multim...

marketwatch.comMultimillion-dollar CEO pay at these 20 low-wage companies is costing you. This is now the only fix.CEO pay at the “low-wage 20” averages $18.6 million, while many of their median workers rely on taxpayer-supported Medicaid and SNAP.

Chuck Collins reposted

Institute for Policy Studies
@ips-dc.org

@inequality.org’s @millsrodrigo.bsky.social interviews Austin Frerick, author of the new book “Barons: Money, Power, and the Corruption of America’s Food Industry,” which examines how corporate monopolies have resulted in higher prices and lower quality food for consumers.

inequality.orgNaming and Shaming Food Barons: A Q&A with Austin FrerickCorporate consolidation in America’s food industry is making food more expensive and worse. What can we do about it?