As working families all over the country celebrated President Obama's re-election last night, we also began mobilizing to protect Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid from benefit cuts.

Working families need more economic security, not less. But some legislators and their friends on Wall Street are set on reaching a “grand bargain” during the post-election "lame-duck" session of Congress that would cut the benefits that we and our children will depend on. They want to cut our Social Security COLAs, raise the retirement age for Social Security and Medicare and cut Medicaid, which could force families into bankruptcy when a loved one needs long-term care. Why? They say it’s to reduce the deficit, but that’s obviously not true. If they were serious about reducing the deficit, they would not be insisting on extending the Bush tax cuts for the richest 2% of Americans.

What should Congress do? The most important two things are:

1. Congress should let the Bush tax cuts expire for the wealthiest 2% of Americans.

2. Congress must make no cuts to Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid benefits.

Sign the petition: www.aflcio.org/ProtectOurFuture.

Call your members of Congress now at 888-659-9401.

Across the country Nov. 8, working people are joining events to spread this message. Find one near you: http://local.americawantstowork.org/protectourfuture

We need to send a clear message why we must protect the promise of Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.

Share your story why Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid are important to you.