Petition from Bernie. Please sign. Expanding Social Security is THE winning issue this November.

"The midterm elections are just weeks away and control of the U.S. Senate hinges on a handful of tight races. As a member of the U.S. Senate I can assure you that if Republicans win this November and take complete control of the U.S. Congress, it would be disastrous for the American people - in so many ways.

The Republican Party, under the influence of the Koch brothers and other billionaire families, continues to call for major cuts in programs desperately needed by working families. Unbelievably, in this very tough economy, many Republicans want cuts to Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, education, nutrition and environmental programs. They are vigorously opposed to any increase in the minimum wage or a major jobs program that would put the unemployed back to work.

But while the Republicans oppose help for struggling working families, they are fiercely in favor of more tax breaks for the rich and large corporations.

In this era of Citizens United, where billionaires have the opportunity to buy elections, the only way we can defeat the Big Money interests is by rallying the American people to stand together and fight back. And there is no better issue to unite around than the need to protect and expand Social Security. If Democrats are going to maintain control of the U.S. Senate this November, they must take a strong stance on this issue which has a huge impact on the lives of tens of millions of Americans.

Recently, my friends at Social Security Works commissioned a poll, which shows that 79% of likely voters -- Democrats, Republicans, and Independents -- favor increasing Social Security benefits and paying for it by asking millionaires and billionaires to pay their fair share. And those 79% are right. That's exactly what we should do!

Join me, Social Security Works and Democracy for America in telling all Democratic U.S. Senate candidates that expanding Social Security is THE winning issue this November, and the right thing to do for the American people.

There are some Democrats in close Senate races such as Senators Mark Begich (D-AK) and Brian Schatz (D-HI), Representative Bruce Braley (D-IA) and Senate candidates Shenna Bellows (D-ME) and Rick Weiland (D-SD) who have made expanding Social Security a key part of their election campaigns. But too many politicians take the advice of Washington consultants who tell them to take moderate or conservative stances.

We don't need more Democrats in the Senate who vote like Republicans. We need more Social Security champions who are willing to stand with the American people, not the Big Money interests.

Join me today in calling on all Democratic U.S. Senate candidates to take a strong progressive stance: Expand, don't cut Social Security!

Thank you for standing with me in this critical fight.

Sincerely,
U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders"

Please spend a few minutes to sign...
http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/6405/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=10484

Thank You!