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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsEmail from Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) on "A deal to slash Social Security"....
Text of email via Progressives United Political Action Committee:
They're at it again.
Billionaires like the Koch Brothers, Pete Peterson, Stanley Druckenmiller and others are leading the charge to cut Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.
If they succeed, millions of senior citizens, working families, disabled veterans and children will suffer. We must not allow that to happen.
Today, the middle class is disappearing, real unemployment is extremely high, poverty is increasing, and working families throughout the country are struggling to keep their heads above water economically. Meanwhile, the gap between the very rich and everyone else is growing wider and wider -- and the wealthiest people and the largest corporations are doing phenomenally well.
We must not balance the budget on the backs of working families, the elderly, the children, the sick, and the poor.
As Vermont's senator, I have the honor of serving on the Budget Conference Committee, which will be negotiating a new federal budget over the next few months -- and where I am fearful that a deal could be struck to slash Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.
Members of Progressives United have been on the front lines fighting against benefits cuts. So I urge you to stand with me today and demand that Congress and the President oppose any grand bargain which cuts Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.
Lets be clear. Despite right-wing rhetoric:
Social Security is not going broke. According to the Social Security Administration, Social Security has a surplus today of $2.8 trillion and can pay out every benefit owed to every eligible person for the next 20 years.
Social Security has not contributed to the deficit. Social Security is funded independently by FICA taxes that are paid by workers and their employers.
The so-called chained-CPI, which recalculates how COLAs are formulated, is not a modest tweak. If the chained CPI went into effect today, a senior aged 65 would receive $658 a year less in Social Security benefits when he/she is 75, and $1,100 a year less at age 85. Further, the average disabled veteran would lose tens of thousands of dollars in benefits over their lifetime.
As the founder of the Defending Social Security Caucus, please stand with me, our friends at Progressives United, and our coalition partners in demanding; No grand bargain in exchange for cuts to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid."
When one out of four U.S. corporations pay nothing in federal income taxes; when Bushs tax breaks for the rich remain in place for many wealthy Americans; when the U.S. spends almost as much as the rest of the world combined on defense, there are much fairer and economically-sound ways to address the budget than cutting programs desperately needed by the most vulnerable people in our country.
Please stand with me and Progressives United in protecting the future of Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid benefits.
Lets go forward together. Thanks for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Bernie Sanders
U.S. Senator
Link to take action in email: http://www.americawantsnocuts.com/progressivesunited/
newfie11
(8,159 posts)steve2470
(37,457 posts)ancianita
(36,110 posts)Unions will end the terms of all those who even present such a "deal" to Congress, nevermind those who vote for it.
steve2470
(37,457 posts)I see the purpose of the email to warn other people about it, and to have them pressure their Senators and Reps to oppose it.
cali
(114,904 posts)can he veto it in the Senate?
I believe the answers are no and no.
ancianita
(36,110 posts)against whatever's left of the pension and health network. It's this cyclical, relentless vulture dance that wastes so much of our national time and energy.
steve2470
(37,457 posts)Most citizens are ignorant of what's going on. He's trying to raise awareness. He is one of the very best Senators in Washington, bar none.
ancianita
(36,110 posts)This just can't be entertained by the Senate. There are countless failed fighter jet fundings out there to cut first. Military contractors first, civilians last.
cali
(114,904 posts)Of course he has some power, but it's limited- such are the rules in Congress. Consider learning something about it.
ancianita
(36,110 posts)cali
(114,904 posts)1StrongBlackMan
(31,849 posts)Bernie needs to do is "show some leadership" and "stand true to Democratic principles" and do something oter than just "give a pretty speach" and the committee will drop CCPI and remove the caps and lower the eligibility age and ...
madfloridian
(88,117 posts)Progressives United
Sen. Bernie Sanders
Alliance for Retired Americans
Campaign for America's Future
Campaign for Community Change
DailyKos
Democracy For America
The Other 98%
Social Security Works
USAction
ancianita
(36,110 posts)madfloridian
(88,117 posts)I see your point, but I fear we will cave on this.
ancianita
(36,110 posts)Bluenorthwest
(45,319 posts)nt
ancianita
(36,110 posts)Heres the full list:
House Republicans:
Ryan
Rep. Tom Cole (Okla.)
Rep. Tom Price (Ga.)
Rep. Diane Black (Tenn.)
House Democrats:
Rep. James Clyburn (S.C.)
Rep. Chris Van Hollen (Md.)
Rep. Nita Lowey (N.Y.)
Senate Republicans:
Sen. Jeff Sessions (Ala.)
Sen. Charles Grassley (Iowa)
Sen. Mike Enzi (Wyo.)
Sen. Mike Crapo (Idaho)
Sen. Lindsey Graham (S.C.)
Sen. Rob Portman (Ohio)
Sen. Pat Toomey (Pa.)
Sen. Ron Johnson (Wis.)
Sen. Kelly Ayotte (N.H.)
Sen. Roger Wicker (Miss.)
From Senate Democratic Caucus:
Murray
Sen. Ron Wyden (Ore.)
Sen. Bill Nelson (Fla.)
Sen. Debbie Stabenow (Mich.)
Sen. Bernie Sanders (Vt.)
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (R.I.)
Sen. Mark Warner (Va.)
Sen. Jeff Merkley (Ore.)
Sen. Chris Coons (Del.)
Sen. Tammy Baldwin (Wis.)
Sen. Tim Kaine (Va.)
Sen. Angus King (Maine)
The ongoing grind that some of these Dems put on the rest of us -- I'm looking at Nelson, King and Clyburn, but hell, too many of them take turns in just being willing to put House budgets into some "valid concern" box on the budget table. And those House budgets never improve in any win/win category!
madfloridian
(88,117 posts)I don't like the committee make-up at all.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/10/22/1249785/-VA-Sen-PCCC-Puts-The-Pressure-On-Mark-Warner-D-To-Reject-Cuts-To-Social-Security
ancianita
(36,110 posts)NorthCarolina
(11,197 posts)I am also getting emails with links to this petition from CREDO.
madfloridian
(88,117 posts)Thanks for the link.
steve2470
(37,457 posts)ancianita
(36,110 posts)"The conference committee was assigned to try to reconcile differences between separate budgets passed earlier this year by the Senate and the House...
...The Senate budget protects Medicare while the House version would end Medicare as we know it by providing coupons for private health insurance. Unlike the House budget, the Senate resolution does not repeal the Affordable Care Act, which would prevent more than 20 million Americans from getting health insurance. The House version would eliminate grants for up to 1 million college students while the Senate plan protects Pell grants. The House version would kick up to 24 million Americans off of Medicaid while the Senate budget would protect their benefits. The Senate budget calls for new revenue while the House version would provide trillions of dollars in tax breaks mainly for the wealthiest Americans and profitable corporations offset by increased taxes on the middle class.
The conference committee includes 14 Democrats, 14 Republicans and two independent senators who caucus with Democrats: Sanders and Sen. Angus King of Maine..."
I can see how public support could offset the lobbyists, since this committee's makeup is evenly partisan.
But the budget differences between the House and Senate show to me the solid hold that the rich and their lobbyists have upon the House. The differences look intractable. Even with public polling. I'm not usually defeatist, but this looks to be more more "budget showdown" activity.
steve2470
(37,457 posts)The equation in Washington is this:
The rich/1%/Large corporations = Total number of Americans registered to vote 146,311,000 per this link
If only a few people raise hell, the left side always wins. Always.
It sucks but it's the way it is. I've seen it this way for 41 years (with the population figure being adjusted downwards back then of course)
ancianita
(36,110 posts)stop wheeling and dealing when it comes to Americans' money.
I see potential Democratic sellouts in their midst. And they're always the same damned ones.
1. It has 29 members. The bipartisan, bicameral group includes the entire Senate Budget Committee, as well as four House Republicans and three House Democrats. Heres the full list:
House Republicans:
Ryan
Rep. Tom Cole (Okla.)
Rep. Tom Price (Ga.)
Rep. Diane Black (Tenn.)
House Democrats:
Rep. James Clyburn (S.C.)
Rep. Chris Van Hollen (Md.)
Rep. Nita Lowey (N.Y.)
Senate Republicans:
Sen. Jeff Sessions (Ala.)
Sen. Charles Grassley (Iowa)
Sen. Mike Enzi (Wyo.)
Sen. Mike Crapo (Idaho)
Sen. Lindsey Graham (S.C.)
Sen. Rob Portman (Ohio)
Sen. Pat Toomey (Pa.)
Sen. Ron Johnson (Wis.)
Sen. Kelly Ayotte (N.H.)
Sen. Roger Wicker (Miss.)
From Senate Democratic Caucus:
Murray
Sen. Ron Wyden (Ore.)
Sen. Bill Nelson (Fla.)
Sen. Debbie Stabenow (Mich.)
Sen. Bernie Sanders (Vt.)
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (R.I.)
Sen. Mark Warner (Va.)
Sen. Jeff Merkley (Ore.)
Sen. Chris Coons (Del.)
Sen. Tammy Baldwin (Wis.)
Sen. Tim Kaine (Va.)
Sen. Angus King (Maine)
The ongoing grind some of these Dems put on the rest of us -- I'm looking at Nelson, King and Clyburn, but hell, too many of them take turns in just being willing to put House budgets into some "valid concern" box on the budget table.
I'm not watching this sausage making anymore. It hurts my heart.
steve2470
(37,457 posts)Call me cynical but the #1 goal of almost all politicians in Washington is to be re-elected. If they think taking an anti-social security stand will get them defeated, they will change their tune. If they think they can get away with it, then yes, we are doomed.
People need to know WTF is going on. Some of them will actually get off the couch and make a phone call or hell, call FROM the couch LOL
This is why I tuned out of politics years ago. The people are routinely fucked over. Routinely. Hopefully this time we won't be.
freshwest
(53,661 posts)I want to put all of this together, the Sanders website link, the action link and who needs to be targeted in contacting.
ancianita
(36,110 posts)freshwest
(53,661 posts)steve2470
(37,457 posts)spanone
(135,851 posts)Lets be clear. Despite right-wing rhetoric:
Social Security is not going broke. According to the Social Security Administration, Social Security has a surplus today of $2.8 trillion and can pay out every benefit owed to every eligible person for the next 20 years.
Social Security has not contributed to the deficit. Social Security is funded independently by FICA taxes that are paid by workers and their employers.
ancianita
(36,110 posts)Babel_17
(5,400 posts)Jefferson23
(30,099 posts)raindaddy
(1,370 posts)I stand with Bernie and Richard Trumka on Democrats cutting Social Security and Medicare.
"No politician
I dont care the political party
will get away with cutting Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid benefits. Dont try it,"
"This warning goes double for Democrats," he said. "We will never forget. We will never forgive. And we will never stop working to end your career."
- Richard Trumka
The Democratic party is supposed to be the party of the people and it's the people who should decide the definition of what it means to be a Democrat!
We've watched the biggest transfer of wealth from the middle class to the rich in the history of this country and now they want to get their hands on Social Security and Medicare. This IS the line in the sand because a Democratic party that fails to stand up for the public safety net is no longer the party of the people.
socialist_n_TN
(11,481 posts)They've never been a "party of the people" exclusively. They've always tried to straddle a line between the bosses and workers and be everything to BOTH. That line cannot be straddled anymore on these issues.
bvar22
(39,909 posts)"Social Security has NOTHING to do with the deficit!"
Is an unequivocal statement like this too much to expect from a Democrat?
steve2470
(37,457 posts)Enthusiast
(50,983 posts)freshwest
(53,661 posts)They don't allow emails to stand as OPs.
I will link to the sign up page, but I must give a link to the text itself. I know you can't give us your email, naturally.
Thanks for the thread, the specfics quoted in the thread shows the two budgets are still very far apart.
The Koch funded obstructionism is continuing and hurting our economy and people.
steve2470
(37,457 posts)steve2470
(37,457 posts)ancianita
(36,110 posts)freshwest
(53,661 posts)Now to get the link to the data from another poster in this thread. And we need to keep this to the top!
steve2470
(37,457 posts)Last edited Sun Oct 27, 2013, 03:33 PM - Edit history (1)
If the email is on the net, I can't find it so far.
freshwest
(53,661 posts)freshwest
(53,661 posts)Nothing about this special committee, but maybe it needs to be updated or I missed a link on the page. The website frustrating for me to navigate. Will compose something out of these other links.
Zorra
(27,670 posts)Bernie is telling it like it is, as always.
SammyWinstonJack
(44,130 posts)Response to steve2470 (Original post)
Tikki This message was self-deleted by its author.
freshwest
(53,661 posts)Jasana
(490 posts)We absolutely must not let them get away with this. With the previous government shut down, this issue, the TPP, corporate lobbying, jobs, student debt and financial regulations I want to see in place, my head is spinning. The hits just keep on coming. I keep writing to my Senator, Elizabeth Warren, about one issue after another. I'm starting to feel bad for her staffers.
steve2470
(37,457 posts)sabrina 1
(62,325 posts)most likely due to Koch paid operatives complaining that it is a 'threat'.
They are going to stop at nothing to take more away from the poor and the sick.
I would like to see the Dem Leadership join Sen. Sanders in this fight.
Prophet 451
(9,796 posts)I'm British so can't sign but I've shared it on my Facebook and Twitter feeds and emailed the people who aren't on those feeds. Best I can do, I'm afraid.
steve2470
(37,457 posts)libdem4life
(13,877 posts)steve2470
(37,457 posts)libdem4life
(13,877 posts)be changing.
steve2470
(37,457 posts)steve2470
(37,457 posts)steve2470
(37,457 posts)woo me with science
(32,139 posts)Send someone out to make stirring speeches pretending that the 99 percent will be protected (There will be no Grand Bargain!).
Meanwhile, deals being made to accomplish exactly the opposite.
We have got to get the corporate vultures out of our government.