The Reactionary Mania To Destroy Social Security Continues Unabated-- Since The 1930s

Social Security is the most popular government program in the history of America. But elites have always hated it and have always tried to undermine and destroy it. We can't kill the elites but we must stop them from killing Social Security. Before Paul Ryan began clamoring to cut Social Security, mainstream Republicans had been too scared to touch the "third rail" of American politics. By even taking their crackpot right-wing schemes seriously, Obama has helped them make Social Security less of a third rail. Every Republican and every Democrat who threatens Social Security should be defeated at the polls, regardless of their other stands on any other issues.

SocialSecurityWorks.org reminds us this battle is far from over and that the Republicans' Chained CPI scheme, which is backed by Obama and other Democrats who have sold out to Wall Street, predominantly the New Dems and Blue Dogs, is still a very real threat to millions of retirees. Only 44 Members of Congress have signed the Grayson-Takano No Cuts letter so far-- these 44.

The Chained CPI-- the Social Security benefit cut proposal that would mean thousands of dollars less for everyone-- is still alive in the House. This week, House Republicans announced that they were including it in their “menu” of demands in exchange for raising the debt ceiling.

But Representatives Alan Grayson (D, FL-9) and Mark Takano (D, CA-41) are recruiting members of Congress to a letter stating: “We will vote against any and every cut to Medicare, Medicaid, or Social Security benefits-- including raising the retirement age or cutting the cost of living adjustments that our constituents earned and need.”

...House Republican demands to tie Social Security cost of living increases to the debt ceiling are outrageous. Since Social Security is paid for by the payroll tax, it has NEVER contributed a penny to our nation’s debt... Members need to hear from their constituents: We will not stand for any cuts to Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid, and we will not stand with any member of Congress who votes for them.

Here are some important tips to keep in mind when calling your representative about the Grayson-Takano Letter:

1. Determine if your member of Congress has signed a previous letter opposing cuts, such as the 2013 Schakowsky-Ellison letter to keep Social Security out of budget talks, or has progressive credentials like membership in the Congressional Progressive Caucus. You should bring that up when you ask them to sign the Grayson-Takano Letter. Ask them to stand up for Social Security now as they have in the past, and challenge them if they claim to have changed their views.
2. Be polite but firm; feel free to follow our script below
3. If a member of Congress has signed-- or agrees to sign-- the Grayson-Takano letter, but is not yet on the Cicilline Resolution, please ask them to sign it as well. The Cicilline Resolution opposes the use of Chained CPI, and we would like to build up the number of members on both.
4. If you don’t get a chance to speak to a person on the phone, please leave a detailed message or follow up by e-mail. They will be tracking all messages from their constituents.

Here is a sample call script:

Hi, my name is [NAME] and I'm calling from [TOWN, STATE].

As a constituent, I want [MEMBER NAME] to publicly oppose any deficit reduction or debt ceiling deal that cuts Social Security benefits. That is why I am asking [MEMBER NAME] to sign onto the Grayson-Takano letter to vote against any deal that cuts benefits.

Can you please tell Rep. [MEMBER NAME] that I want [HIM/HER] to publicly stand against any cuts to Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid benefits?

[Answer]

Thank you. And can you please tell your press secretary that I called and asked Rep. [MEMBER NAME] to make a public statement against cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security benefits?

[Answer]

Close the call: Thank you for your time!

Please, find your member in our table, and call them today. The Grayson-Takano letter is one of the strongest statements against cuts to Social Security.

Grayson: "With the Norquist pledge, the Republicans have lined up on the side of millionaires, billionaires and multinational corporations. With our No Cuts pledge, we are lined up on the side of seniors, sick people, and poor people. We are comforting the afflicted, and they are comforting the comfortable."