Soon-to-be-Senator Ed Markey (D) is not happy about Obama putting the Chained CPI in his budget:
http://www.masslive.com/...
Markey, speaking to reporters after a campaign stop at Northeastern University, added that chained CPI would affect not only Social Security but also benefits for veterans and people with disabilities. “So CPI would really stand for cutting people’s income, and I do not believe that is the path we should be going down,” Markey said.
Markey said he will “fight as hard as I can to make sure the budget is not balanced on the back of the poor, the sick, the elderly and the disabled.” He said he could not vote for legislation that, in the final formula, balanced the budget by harming those populations.
Markey said in a statement that there were some good provisions in Obama’s budget, including some environmental provisions that Markey championed, such as eliminating oil and gas subsidies and giving tax incentives to the renewable energy industry. - The Republican, 4/10/13
Markey has signed the Grayson-Takano letter opposing any cuts to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. To be fair, Markey's primary opponent also opposed the Chained CPI:
"I respect and admire President Obama, but I feel that the negotiations over taxes with the Republicans have forced him into a bad deal and he is going down the wrong road on chained CPI,” Lynch said. “A majority of our seniors rely on Social Security as their primary source of income in retirement, and much of that income is already consumed by costly medical bills. Moving to chained CPI will decimate cost of living increases for seniors, and put them even further behind than they are right now.” - The Republican, 4/10/13
Plus Lynch hasn't been getting the best press lately since he flip flopped on the Keystone XL Pipeline:
http://www.bostonmagazine.com/...
Stephen Lynch recently showed off his timely movie reference skills by calling billionaire hedge funder and environmental activist Tom Steyer “Dr. Evil,” and Steyer’s public relations team seems only too happy to play the “Which Austin Powers character are you” game, photoshopped infographics and all!
Yeah, we’re a bit confused as to how we got here as well.
But let’s attempt to retrace our path: Steyer pledged to spend millions defeating Lynch in his primary race against Ed Markey because of Lynch’s support for the Keystone XL oil pipeline. You’ve likely noticed Steyer-funded airplanes with banners attacking Lynch flying through the skies of Boston. Flying an oil-fueled airplane is probably not the most energy-efficient method of political attack, but then Dr. Evil never did understand irony, and hey, it’s better than a rocket ship that looks like a … Roger, what was I just talking about? Oh right, anyway…
When asked about the campaign recently, Lynch told a WGBH reporter, “It’s hilarious. It is like an Austin Powers movie. This guy is Dr. Evil. He’s got a billion dollars and he’s coming after me, I don’t know why.” - Boston Magazine, 4/11/13
By the way, Markey picked up another big endorsement:
http://www.masslive.com/...
"The United Auto Workers enthusiastically endorse Ed Markey for Senate," said UAW Region 9A Director Julie Kushner in a statement. "Ed Markey is a lifelong fighter for the people of Massachusetts, whose strong support of the auto rescue helped save 1.45 million auto industry jobs and protect one of this country's most successful and important industrial bases," Kushner said. "Pairing Ed Markey with Elizabeth Warren in the Senate would give Massachusetts one of the strongest and most fearless Senate delegations in the country."
The UAW said the union represents 18,000 active and retired members and their families across the commonwealth.
In accepting the endorsement, Markey commended the union for its place in American labor and reiterated his support for the federal government's financial bailout of General Motors and Chrysler in the wake of the financial collapse of 2008.
"The United Auto Workers have spent decades fighting to advance the cause for workers and the middle class, and I am honored to have their support in this election," Markey said. "The auto rescue was one of the most important votes I've taken in Congress. I'm proud to have voted for it, and proud of the 1.45 million auto industry jobs it helped to protect. If elected to the Senate I will stand up to opponents of the Affordable Care Act, protect a woman's right to choose and fight for a level playing field for all workers to build upon the success of the resurgent American auto industry." - The Republican, 4/11/13
Lets make sure Markey not only secures the Democratic nominee but also wins the general election. You can donate to his campaign here:
https://secure.actblue.com/...