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11th LD Democrats Resolution 2010-10
Resolution Requesting that Our Representatives and Candidates for Congress Take a Public Stand Against Cutting Social Security and Medicare
WHEREAS Social Security and Medicare are among the most significant and politically popular legislative accomplishments of the Democratic Party; and
WHEREAS both programs are currently being threatened with significant cuts by National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, which is stacked with vocal public opponents of both programs and is completely unaccountable to voters; and
WHEREAS long-term unemployment and the concomitant spending down of retirement savings combined with widespread age discrimination has been particularly devastating for those over 55; and
WHEREAS Representative Raul Grijalva is currently circulating a letter in Congress in defense of Social Security; and
WHEREAS coalitions of union members, health care advocates, retirees and those close to retirement age are circulating pledges to defend Social Security and Medicare; and
WHEREAS it would be very wise politically to give Strong Democrats (59% women and average age of 61 in the 11th LD, for instance) the assurance that Democrats will not allow such serious threats to their economic security to stand; and
WHEREAS the widespread popularity of Social Security and Medicare makes defending those programs a powerful political weapon against Republicans; and
WHEREAS no member of our congressional delegation has signed Grijalva’s letter yet, and only Representative Jim McDermott and candidate Suzan del Bene have agreed to sign the Social Security defense pledge;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the 11th LD Democrats request all of our representatives and candidates to sign Representative Grijalva’s letter; and
THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the 11th LD Democrats request all of our representatives and candidates to sign the Social Security Works-WA pledge; and
THEREFORE BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the 11th LD Democrats request all of our representatives and candidates to sign a pledge to defend Medicare.
Submitted to the 11th Legislative District Democrats for endorsement at its meeting of September 21, 2010
Attachments
1) Grijalva letter in defense of Social Security
Dear Mr. President,
We write today to express our strong support for Social Security and our view that it should be strengthened. We oppose any cuts to Social Security benefits, including raising the retirement age. We also oppose any effort to privatize Social Security, in whole or in part.
You have charged the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform with proposing recommendations that improve the long-term fiscal outlook and address the growth of entitlement spending. It is our view that Social Security—which is prohibited by law from adding to the national budget deficit—does not belong as part of those recommendations.
By 2023, Social Security will have built up a $4.3 trillion surplus, and, without any action, can pay at least 75 percent of all benefits thereafter. Because Social Security is funded separately from the general treasury and has no borrowing authority, it has not contributed to the federal deficit. Despite these facts, some Commission members have repeatedly alleged the need to cut Social Security for budgetary reasons.
For 75 years, Social Security has been a promise to the American people that if they work hard and pay their fair share, they will have a financially secure retirement. In communities across this country, Social Security benefits are often the only source of income helping families maintain a decent standard of living. Social Security's benefits are modest, averaging less than $13,000 a year, but they are vital to the vast majority of Americans who receive them.
Cutting Social Security benefits further than they are already being cut by raising the retirement age from 65 to 67 would create needless hardship for millions of vulnerable Americans. This is especially true in the face of an economic downturn that has wiped out trillions of dollars that Americans were relying on for their retirement security and the increased dismantlement of the private and public pension systems.
If any of the Commission's recommendations cut or diminish Social Security in any way, we will stand firmly against them. We urge you to join us in protecting and strengthening Social Security rather than letting it fall victim to a misguided attempt to reduce budget deficits on the backs of working families.
Sincerely,
2) Social Security Works-WA Pledge
Social Security is the only dependable source of income for retired Americans and supports millions of families through its disability and survivors programs. Every working person pays into it and earns benefits.
For 75 years, Social Security has been America’s most trusted institution. It is frugally administered and soundly financed to continue providing a foundation of economic security for future generations.
In the interests of my constituents – the men, women and children who are Social Security’s current and future beneficiaries – I pledge to:
• Defend the integrity of Social Security against efforts to reduce its benefits or weaken its protections;
• Support responsible efforts to strengthen Social Security benefits;
• Oppose any and all efforts to reduce the federal deficit by failing to fully honor obligations to the Social Security Trust Fund, built by the payroll contributions of working Americans.
Signed:
Date:
3) Defense of Medicare Pledge
Since 1965, Medicare has increased the number of seniors over 65 with health insurance from 50% to 93%. It is one of our most successful programs for reducing poverty and poor health in that age group. All working people have paid taxes into the Medicare system for their entire working lives.
Medicare has earned a very high level of popular acceptance over the years, with much higher percentages of the population expressing high levels of trust in the program compared to private insurance. In addition, it spends a far lower percentage of its budget on overhead.
Therefore in the interests of my constituents, the current and future beneficiaries of Medicare, I pledge to vote against any attempts at reducing the deficit on their backs, including
• Means testing Medicare so that it becomes a poverty program available only to those who spend their entire retirement savings and sell their houses
• Raising the Medicare eligibility age, or
• Reducing the actuarial value of Medicare insurance, or
• Cutting provider payments to the point where they refuse to treat Medicare patients
Signed:
Date:
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