Some major political action groups are joing Senator Mark Begich (D. AK), author of the Protecting & Preserving Social Security Act, and Senator Tom Harkin's (D. IA) call to expand Social Security. First there's CREDO Action:
Social Security, one of the greatest anti-poverty programs in our country’s history, is under attack by people who want us to believe the myth that it's about to run out of money.
We are told the only way to save the program is to slash benefits. But, Social Security benefits are already inadequate.
In an era of skyrocketing medical costs, disappearing home equity, paltry 401k retirement accounts and underfunded pension plans, retirees need more money, not less. And there’s a simple change that would allow us to increase benefits without breaking the bank.
Two senators from conservative states – Tom Harkin from Iowa and Mark Begich from Alaska – have proposed plans to increase benefits while also ensuring the increased benefits can be paid fully for decades to come. And we should support them.
Tell the Senate to support the Harkin and Begich plans to strengthen Social Security. Click here to sign the petition automatically:
http://act.credoaction.com/...
If you’re tired of constantly playing defense and want to change the narrative to be about how we can improve Social Security by making it fairer and more generous, then be part of the groundswell of voices supporting the Harkin and Begich bills.
While Sen. Begich’s and Sen. Harkin’s plans differ somewhat, both would make the annual Social Security cost-of-living increases larger to more accurately reflect the increased inflation faced by seniors compared to the general public.
This is the opposite of the shady attempts to cut benefits by using the so-called “chained CPI,” which is an even less accurate (and stingier) way to measure the inflation faced by seniors than what we use currently.
In addition, Sen. Harkin’s plan would increase benefits for virtually everyone by almost $800 a year.
Furthermore, both plans pay for the benefit increases while improving the long-term solvency of the program by lifting the cap on the payroll tax that funds Social Security.
Right now Social Security is funded by a payroll tax that is capped at a yearly income of $113,700. In other words, billionaires like the Koch brothers pay the same amount in Social Security tax as someone who makes $113,700 a year.
Scrapping the cap is a simple and fair way to strengthen the program.
Tell the Senate to support the Harkin and Begich plans to strengthen Social Security. Click the link below to sign the petition automatically:
http://act.credoaction.com/...
Thank you for standing up for Social Security.
Matt Lockshin, Campaign Manager
CREDO Action from Working Assets
You can sign CREDO Action's petition here:
http://act.credoaction.com/...
PCCC has also joined Begich and Harkin's call:
With corporations cutting worker pensions, our grandparents and veterans need Social Security more -- not less.
Nobel Prize-winning economist Paul Krugman says we should increase them. Senators Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) and Mark Begich (D-Alaska) agree. Even better, they're doing something about it.
Can you sign our petition in support of Harkin and Begich's bills that would EXPAND Social Security benefits? Click here:
http://act.boldprogressives.org/...
Sens. Harkin and Begich will be on MSNBC's Ed Show this Saturday at 5pm Eastern to discuss this bold proposal.
Unlike the president's proposal to cut Social Security benefits, Harkin and Begich would give a worker $452 more per year by age 75 and $807 more by age 85.
And they would make millionaires and billionaires pay their fair share by "scrapping the cap" on what wealthy people pay into Social Security. This would pay for the benefit expansion and extend Social Security's solvency for decades.
Can you sign the petition in favor of expanding Social Security benefits?
http://act.boldprogressives.org/...
We're working directly with Senators Harkin and Begich to move these bills forward.
This petition and this weekend's Ed Show appearance are the first steps. Then come calls to Congress, local press conferences, and the release of poll numbers showing the popularity of this proposal.
It's time for progressives to play offense. That's what we're doing. Join the fight!
-- Stephanie Taylor, Adam Green, Kimberly Fountain, and the PCCC team
strong
You can sign Bold Progressives' petition here:
http://act.boldprogressives.org/...
Social Security Works & Democracy For America have also decided to become allies to Begich and Harkin's cause:
It’s time to go on the offensive. While many in Washington are talking about cutting Social Security benefits, there are two Senators who are taking steps to increase benefits for Seniors.
Senators Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Mark Begich (D-AK) have proposed legislation that would:
Increase cost of living adjustments (COLAs), not decrease them. Instead of cutting benefits through a Chained CPI formula, Senators Harkin and Begich have proposed using a benefit formula designed specifically to take into account seniors’ rising living expenses such as healthcare, food, and housing.
Ensure that the wealthy are paying their fair share into Social Security. Currently, Americans are only paying Social Security payroll taxes on their first $113,700. That means that Wall Street CEOs could be pay a far lower share of their earnings than most. By lifting the payroll tax cap on Social Security, we can extend the life of Social Security for at least the next 75 years.
Increase Social Security benefits for all recipients by approximately $70 per month, or $800 a year. Senator Harkin’s bill would reform the benefit formula for all beneficiaries, but target those most in need. This would result in an across the board benefit increase, with the most going to those in the lower and middle classes.
Sign our petition today calling on the U.S. Senate to support the Harkin and Begich plans to strengthen Social Security!
http://democracyforamerica.com/...
We know the right-wing’s game plan is to try to force cuts to Social Security and Medicare as concessions in upcoming budget fights. It is time for us to stop playing defense and go on offense, and the Harkin and Begich bills are our chance.
Social Security is the most successful anti-poverty program in our country’s history and has never contributed a single penny to the deficit. Let’s strengthen, not cut Social Security!
Please, join Social Security Works and our friends at Democracy for America in calling on the U.S. Senate to support the Harkin and Begich bills.
http://democracyforamerica.com/...
Thank you for all that you do,
Alex Lawson
Social Security Works
P.S. It is critical that we stop playing defense and go on the offense. Please join Social Security Works and Democracy for America in calling on the U.S. Senate to strengthen Social Security today.
http://democracyforamerica.com/...
You can sign DFA's petition here:
http://democracyforamerica.com/...
It's great that all three of these organizations have helping Begich and Harkin put the pressure on the Senate to get behind the idea of expanding Social Security instead of cutting it. Especially since talks of a Grand Bargain are still in the works. Be sure to sign any and all of the petitions and if you would like to thank Senator Begich for proposing a bold plan, please do sign up or contribute to his 2014 re-election campaign so he can continue to fight to expand Social Security:
http://www.markbegich.com/...