Oh, the sweet irony.
Pete Peterson is the conservative billionaire who is a major financier in the effort to dismantle, cut and privatize Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. Recently he and his foundation held a contest asking folks to submit videos on why it is important to “fix” the national debt of which, he and his foundation falsely claim, Social Security is a major contributor.
Be part of a “Human Chain Against the Chained CPI” on Tuesday—a national day of action to protest proposed cuts to Social Security, veterans' and other federal benefits. The so-called "Chained" CPI proposal would reduce cost-of-living adjustments and prevent benefits from keeping up with inflation. "Chained" CPI has been masquerading as a technical fix, but really it's just a benefit cut.
In a Progressive Leaders Forum Town Hall meeting that will air Wednesday on SiriusXM 27's "The Agenda" radio show, Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) joined Nancy Altman of Social Security Works, Edward Coyle of the Alliance for Retired Americans and host Ari Rabin-Havt to discuss the future of Social Security , including Harkin's proposed legislation that would expand Social Security benefits. The Strengthening Social Security Act of 2013 ( S. 567 ) would raise the monthly Social Security benefit by about $65 and would measure inflation not with the chained CPI (a benefit cut) , but using a more accurate measure of inflation for seniors ( the CPI-E ).
Democratic Reps. John Conyers (Mich.), Keith Ellison (Minn.), Alan Grayson (Fla.) and Raul Grijalva (Ariz.) will demand action on a one-sentence bill introduced by Conyers called the "Cancel the Sequester Act of 2013."
You can watch the press conference live at 12 p.m. EDT here or in this blog.
We have five weeks to tell Congress to let the Bush tax cuts for the richest 2% expire and reject any benefit cuts to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. Visit www.aflcio.org/ProtectOurFuture for all the information you need on the upcoming budget showdown.
Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid aren't just numbers on a budget line, they're vital family protection lifelines for working people.
Did you know 55.4 million Americans across the United States receive monthly Social Security checks, including 8.6 million workers with disabilities and 4.4 million children? A total of 48.7 million Americans get their health care coverage from Medicare and 64.4 million Americans get their health care coverage from Medicaid, including 29.8 million children and 4.2 million seniors.
Karin Feldman and Shaun O'Brien | Political Action/Legislation
Social Security is our most important family protection program that works not just for retirees, but also for people with disabilities and children who've lost a working parent. It's a promise for all generations. People pay for this benefit throughout their working lives. Social Security is immensely popular with voters across the political spectrum, which is why those who would like to dismantle the program consistently distort the facts and falsely claim the program is "bankrupt ." It's important for working people to know the truth about the program and push back against Social Security myths and lies and fight for more, not less retirement security.
Here are six Social Security facts you need to know:
Social Security is popular.
It is one of the most, if not the most, popular federal government-run programs. It is social insurance , not welfare. It provides Americans with a reliable source of income when: a senior retires from work, a child loses a working parent or if a worker becomes disabled.
Social Security is an American promise. We pay into the program during our working lives and we’re entitled to collect benefits. We paid for it. It’s our money.
Social Security Works has put together a video to urge President Obama to stay true to his vision of the American Dream and not cut Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.
It’s been four years since low-wage workers got a raise. Sign the petition to tell Congress it’s time to raise the minimum wage.
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