I have been a contributor to the DSCC, DCCC, and Obama campaigns in the last few years.
I am not a large contributor; I am one of the small donors who helped to fuel Obama's 2008 campaign. The reason I am not a big donor is that my family is not rich. We are certainly upper middle class, but we do not have millions or hundreds of thousands or even tens of thousands we can give to any group or candidate.
The lack of a clear message on Social Security by Obama, most Senate Democrats, and some House Democrats is truly bothering me. I am 47 years old, and for the first time in my life, I am not at all certain that I will have Social Security. My fears is NOT because of the failures of the Social Security system. My fears are because of a lack of political will on the part of supporters of social security. The fact that raising the retirement age to 70 and the changes to cost indexing are not rejected as out of hand frighten me. The fact that a 2% cut on SSI taxes was a part of a deal Obama signed off on is very disconcerting.
I do not spend all of my time following budget negotiations. But I do follow them closely enough to understand that Social Security is currently solvent. In addition, it would take little to extend the program for the forseeable future. Rather than a 2% cut on SSI taxes, the exemption from SSI taxes on higher incomes could be lifted. I am sure there are other ideas, but the point is that benefits need to be protected.
So, the next time the DSCC, DCCC, or OFA calls, my answer will be simple:
"Sorry, I have to save for my retirement since you didn't bother to protect Social Security and Medicare. IF I have any money left to contribute to candidates, it will go to candidates who supported Social Security and Medicare."