What a strange turn of events.  If we are to believe the leaks on the deal being cut for the fiscal cliff, it appears that President Obama’s agenda was narrow—restore fiscal sanity by upping the tax rates on very high earners. In the process, he appears ready to concede to House Speaker John Boehner a Republican plan to alter Social Security benefits recommended by the Simpson-Bowles commission. What an odd legacy the president would be leaving. The cut in Social Security benefits that Boehner proposes would have a disparate impact on African Americans, the group that voted most vociferously against the Republican world view. One would think the president’s agenda going into the fiscal cliff negotiations would be to remind those who worked hard for his election why it mattered he won.

"Republicans are once again demanding benefit cuts to pay for tax cuts, and threatening to harm the economy unless they get their way," said AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka in a statement today. 

Amid reports that negotiations over the so-called “fiscal cliff” include possible cuts to Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and other vital lifelines that families count on, worker activists are rallying on Capitol Hill today. They are calling on Congress to fight back against cuts to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid and to insist that lawmakers ensure the nation’s wealthiest pay their fair share in taxes.

Social Security survivor benefits make it possible for children to live at home instead of being sent to an orphanage when a parent dies. Social Security old age benefits ensure you can retire with dignity. If you become disabled or injured on the job, Social Security disability benefits will help keep you afloat. 

We've told you about "chained" CPI and that it's a benefit cut and a "stealth" tax hike for working people. It's time to spread the word. 

New reports on the lame-duck Congress say that House Speaker John Boehner is pushing for Republican benefit cuts, including lowering the Social Security COLA (cost of living adjustment). Other Republicans are asking for a hike in the Medicare eligibility age, which is also a cut. 

Aspiring artists have only until Wednesday, Dec. 19, to submit original works of art to Artstrike, the day of action put together by CultureStrike, 5D Stories and the Rebuild the Dream Innovation Fund. So far, numerous artists have contributed dozens of images, songs and videos to the project, all with the message directed at Congress that working families oppose benefit cuts to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid and want the richest Americans to pay their fair share of taxes, which includes letting the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest 2% expire.

Beware the "chained" CPI.

As Republicans in Congress take a hard line in the sand against higher tax rates for millionaires and billionaires, they are demanding a Social Security benefit cut through a lower Cost of Living Adjustments (COLAs). The lower COLA would result from the adoption of a new formula for calculating COLAs called "Chained CPI." 

Even a heartless Grinch should understand that cutting Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid benefits is a really bad idea.

A recent poll confirms what a growing number of politicians, community leaders and mainstream news media already suspected: Most Latinos, like most other Americans in battleground states, support a plan to reduce the deficit that includes more revenue from tax increases for the wealthiest people.

Are you an artist or graphic designer? Do you oppose cuts to Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and other lifelines? Then Artstrike wants your submissions by Dec. 17. Artstrike is a collaboration among CultureStrike, 5D Stories and the Rebuild the Dream Innovation Fund to create original art that fights back against the most extreme proposals being floated as a response to the fiscal bluff.