In Why Any Deal to Cut Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid Would be a Moral, Economic and Political Disaster, Robert Creamer articulates the most cogent, and inspiring argument I’ve read on why Democrats must remain true to our core values and historic commitment to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid recipients. And, puts us in the mood, to exact senior retribution on any politicians who continue these outrageous attacks on our middle and working classes.
Anything less will lead us to Democratic Party election defeats in 2012. This is "drawing-the-line-in-the-sand" time folks. If Creamer's call to arms doesn't put the fire in your belly, you're probably already dead, or not really a Democrat, after all. Either way, press that "Medic Alert" button, because you've fallen and can't get up.
But, for those who still have a pulse, this article gives you dozens of facts, polls, and other references to arm you for the battle of the next few years. And, will get your back up on your feed, ready for the political battle of a lifetime.
The immorality of "entitlement reform." The very idea that seniors on Social Security -- whose median income is $18,000 a year -- should be asked to tighten their belts while the Federal Government still gives huge tax breaks to millionaires and subsidies to oil companies is just plain wrong. The principle voices for "entitlement reform" are the multimillionaires from Wall Street who argue that we need to cut Social Security and Medicare benefits as part of a bargain to reduce the long-term federal deficit and give the "markets" confidence. Never mind that Social Security in particular does not contribute anything to the deficit and has in fact generated a $2.6 trillion surplus that was paid for by workers and employers through Social Security taxes. Never mind that the Wall Street gang clamoring for "entitlement reform" demanded extension of the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy, subsidies for the oil companies, tax breaks for companies that send jobs overseas and an end to the estate tax that only affects the sons and daughters of multimillionaires.
Not even to mention the unprecedented expansion of military spending, which needs to be restored to its Clinton era percentage of GDP.
Creamer first recounts the now familiar statistics documenting the significant increases in distributional inequality in the US, and explains how this "demand deficit" undermines a key driver of economic growth. "By the way, a Federal report issued at the end of last week found that corporations made more in profits in the last quarter of 2010 than at any other time in the history of the United States."
The average Social Security benefit paid to a retiree is $14,000 per year. John Paulson -- who received a multi-billion dollar tax break compared to ordinary working Americans -- made as much last year as the total paid to 357,142 average Social Security beneficiaries. And we're asking Social Security beneficiaries to "tighten their belts"? That's just plain wrong. ...
Middle class people shouldn't be asked to pay to fix the fiscal mess that was caused by massive tax cuts to the rich, two Republican wars and the collapse of the financial markets caused by the recklessness of the big Wall Street banks. ... The notion that middle class people -- and those who aspire to the middle class -- should be asked to sacrifice while the wealthy few are getting richer and richer is simply obscene
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Arguing that economic growth requires the middle class to have expanding incomes, Creamer presents a broad array of statistics, and links to documentation that the average American is sick and tired of the Republican attacks on our New Deal and Great Society programs. What a shame it will be if we cave-in now, when this is the strongest, and maybe last line of defense we can draw for the benefits of our economy, and the common good of all Amerians.
Last year Democrats were thrown out of office because people were sick of an economy that had become worse and worse for them. As a consequence, many swing voters decided that Democrats weren't on their side.
A decent chunk of seniors who voted against Democrats last year have to be convinced that Democratic candidates are on their side in 2012, or Democrats are toast. If they see Democrats bargain away their Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid benefits -- or those of their kids -- they won't vote Democratic in November of 2012. It's that simple.
The polling shows clearly that the voters oppose cuts in in Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.
• The public opposes cutting Social Security benefits by 70% to 80%.
• Two-thirds of likely voters oppose raising the retirement age.
• Up to two-thirds support making the Social Security Trust fund solvent for generations by raising the payroll tax to cover income above $107,000 a year.
We need to rally our Democratic leaders to stand up and defend our essential social programs. Our courageous Senate Majority leader, Harry Reid, has risen to the challenge, and will lead a "Back Off Social Security" today at the Capital. I encourge everyone to send an email, or call your own Senators, and Representatives to voice your support for this most fundemental of Democratic Party achievements, and commitments.
Also, please check out, and join our Social Security Defenders Group. We need to ooomph up our efforts here. Thanks.