Karli Wallace Thompson, Campaign Manager for Democracy for America sent me an email this morning. I thought it was worth sharing here.
We knew the Republican majority in the House would jump at any opportunity to attack Social Security, but we had no idea it would happen this quickly.
On their very first day back in session, the House quietly passed a rule change that would force Social Security into a manufactured crisis that would cynically pit the disabled against the retired -- and almost certainly guarantee deep cuts to the benefits to a program that millions of American families rely on.
The Republican rule change takes the reallocation of money from the Social Security retirement fund to the disability program -- a transaction so routine that it has happened 11 times without comment from either party -- and forces it to be accompanied by drastic benefit cuts in order to proceed.
Elizabeth Warren called out the "ridiculous" move, noting that Republicans in Congress are "inventing a Social Security crisis that will threaten benefits for millions and put our most vulnerable at risk." I couldn't agree more.
If this concerns you, join me below the fold.
He goes on to say.
The Social Security crisis that this rule change creates simply does not have to happen. The same Republicans who promised voters just months ago that they would "protect" Social Security are forcing this made-up crisis on us in order to slash benefits and destroy America's faith in the Social Security system.
We can't let Republicans get away with undermining Social Security and leaving disabled Americans out in the cold. We need to be ready to push back hard and defend Social Security the moment this "crisis" rears its head.
On a personal note:
I survive on my Social Security Disability benifits. I spend 95% of my time flat on my back in bed. There is no question about me ever being physically able to work a normal job again, even a desk job. I manage to write, using my tablet, while laying down. I am trying to build a little career writing fiction. That will take several years, and some investment on my part.
I already support my disabled adult son, and have been paying his living and medical epenses. We are classified by the state as homeless, because we live in a residence motel. Our lives are not pretty, but we are surviving.
Take my monthly check away, or cut it significantly, and we will be unable to survive. I'm 61, just a bit too old to sell myself on a street corner. My son will never be able to work again, without significant medical help and physical therapy. Leave us destitute, and what should we do? Roll over and die? Or become drug dealers? (Don't worry, I would never actually do that.)
I am absolutely certain that thousands of other Americans depend as much on their little checks, as I do on mine. If this legislation is passed, many disabled Americans will end up living on the street. We aren't important to the Republicans, or to the Wall Street Fat Cats. We have nothing for them to steal fom us, except our little checks. We can't work, and be exploited. So, they are planning to throw us away.
I'm not garbage, and neither are all the other Disabled Americans.
If this issue concerns you, here is a link to a donation page. I know nothing about these folks, maybe some of you others here do. So donate with caution, please.
Also, please tweet this, and share it on Facebook. We need to reach every Disabled American with this information.