Social Security is once again under attack.
Time after time Social Security has come under attack. Do you remember the Bush "privatization" campaign a few years ago? Each time the attack uses a different myth, repeated over and over. Then, in between attacks, the myths continue circulating. This time they're trying to make people think that Social Security contributes to the budget deficit. It doesn't. They say this because so many people are worried about budget deficits. If polling showed that people were worried that their arms are going to turn into green cheese, they would be repeating and repeating that Social Security is the reason your arms are turning into green cheese. Sheesh!
In response to the latest attack a coalition of groups has formed to fight back and protect Social Security, demanding that Congress not make any benefit cuts. The coalition represents 30 million members, who are asked to remind elected officials that Social Security remains the "third rail" of American politics and that any sort of benefit cuts are opposed by wide majorities, from liberals to Tea Partiers.
The coalition is saying Strengthen Social Security, Don't Cut It. Their website is strengthensocialsecurity.org and its blog is at strengthensocialsecurity.org/blog.
Most important, its petition is available to sign here.
The National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility is trying to cut Social Security benefits. We can't let that happen.
Can you sign our urgent petition to the Commission?
Social Security belongs to the people who have worked hard all their lives and contributed to it. Social Security is a promise that must not be broken. If you pay in, then you earn the right to benefits for yourself, your spouse and your dependent children when you retire, experience a severe disability, or die.
We need to strengthen Social Security, not cut it. That is why I oppose any cuts to Social Security benefits, including increasing the retirement age. I also oppose any effort to privatize Social Security, in whole or in part.
Meet Billy Bankster! Please watch this video from the coalition:
Here are videos from the launch event. First is Terry O'Neill, president of the National Organization for Women (NOW):
Hilary Shelton, director of the Washington Bureau of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP):
Richard L. Trumka, president of the AFL-CIO:
Justin Ruben, executive director of MoveOn.org:
Gerald W. McEntee, President of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME):
Ed Coyle, Executive Director of the Alliance for Retired Americans:
Dennis Van Roekel, President of the National Education Association (NEA):
Eliseo Medina, International Executive Vice President of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU):