Thursday, October 7, 2010

Teamsters Tell Congress: Protect Social Security!

Hundreds of Teamsters are fighting back against a well-funded and well-organized attack on Social Security.

The latest development: the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform is meeting in Washington, D.C. to come up with ways to eliminate the nation’s debt. Nicknamed the "Catfood Commission," it may recommend cuts to the Social Security program.

The recommendations are due to Congress by December 1. There could be a vote in Congress on the report.

In the past few weeks, Teamsters have sent a whopping 1,400 e-mails to their representatives in Congress urging them to oppose any cuts to Social Security.

The message is simple. Social Security has not contributed to the federal deficit – it actually has a surplus of $2.6 trillion. Social Security belongs to us – the people who have worked hard and paid taxes to the program. It should not be cut to reduce the deficit.

Teamster activists sent e-mails asking their representative to support two crucial efforts. Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.) is circulating a letter to President Obama opposing any Social Security benefit cuts and efforts to privatize the program.

Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) is sponsoring a House Resolution that opposes any increase in the retirement age. The retirement age has already been raised from 65 to 66, and it will go to 67 in 2022. Some in Congress want to raise it to 70. That would cut benefits by 20 percent!

Click here if you want to join the effort. It will take just a few minutes of your time.