Received this e-mail from Congressman Ted Deutch (D. FL), Senator Mark Begich's (D. AK) ally in the House, to get Congress to Support The Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act of 2013:
Washington, DC is the only place in America where bad ideas like privatizing Social Security, cutting benefits, and raising the retirement are treated like good ones.
Meanwhile, the solution the American people actually want doesn't get the time of day. It's time for that to change, and that's why Senator Mark Begich and I have introduced the Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act of 2013:
http://act.tedforcongress.com/...
Here's what it does:
Scraps the cap on Social Security's payroll taxes so that CEOs and Members
of Congress join the rest of Americans in contributing with every single paycheck
Improves cost-of-living adjustments so that benefits do not shrink overtime
Preserves Social Security's system of ensuring those who put more in get more out
Extends solvency for another 75 years
Tell Congress to get on board now:
http://act.tedforcongress.com/...
It's no coincidence this plan was embraced by the overwhelming majority of Democrats, Republicans, and Independents in a recent nonpartisan poll. It's up to us to get Washington on the same page.
Click here to tell Congress the American people want to strengthen Social Security:
http://act.tedforcongress.com/...
Thanks,
Ted
You can sign Deutch's petition here:
http://act.tedforcongress.com/...
I have written quite a few diaries about Begich's plan to strengthen and protect Social Security and I mentioned recently that Begich had gained Deutch as an ally in the House to help gain momentum for the bill:
http://www.dailykos.com/...
Here's the actual Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act that Begich authored toward the end of last year:
Begich's plan has been endorsed by the Alaska AARP and the Strengthen Social Security Coalition. Here's Begich making the case for the Protecting & Preserving Social Security Act on the Senate floor:
"Mr. President, a few weeks ago back home in Anchorage, I joined a group of seniors I presented this piece of legislation to them at the Anchorage Senior Center and she says she loves to describe herself as a "young woman from Alaska" stood up. Beverly Moore, an 81-year old Korean War Navy veteran. Beverly was there because the majority of her modest income comes from Social Security. And she wanted to know how this proposal will strengthen that lifeline for her and thousands of Alaskans. In fact, one in nine Alaskans receive Social Security. With my states population of those 65 and older expanding rapidly, Social Security will continue to play a key role in supplementing a decent living. If Social Security was not there for the elderly Alaskans, a fifth of them would live below poverty. It's vital for our state, it's vital for all our states and for this whole country. Mr. President I have no illusions that this bill is going to pass in the final weeks of this 112th congress but I wanted to get it into the mix. I wanted to make sure people got the bigger point and again I would say to my residing officer and says this well and I know my friend here from Oregon who is on the floor also as we talk about the deficit that has taken center stage right now, we want to highlight one very clear thing: Social Security has not contributed, is not part of and never will contribute to the deficit. So those who like to meddle in it and try to combine it into this deficit talk are just playing games with our seniors and disabled in this country." - U.S. Senator Mark Begich (D. AK), 12/7/12
Emphasis Mine.
It's important that we continue to build moment for this act in order to fight back against any cuts to Social Security as part of a Grand Bargain, including a Chained CPI. The Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act of 2013 should be the official plan of the Democratic Party and we needs more Democrats in the House and Senate to get behind it.
If you would like to learn more about the act, feel free to contact Senator Begich & Congressman Deutch and thank them for standing up for Social Security:
Begich: 202-224-3004
Deutch: 202-225-3001
You can also contact your Senator and Congressman and urge them to support this bill:
Senate:
http://www.senate.gov/...
House:
http://house.gov/...
And if you would like to donate to either Deutch or Begich's 2014 re-election campaigns, you can do so here:
https://secure.actblue.com/...
https://secure.actblue.com/...