Help me write my letter to my congressman.

[Sirveri]

Dear Honorable George Miller,

I love my mother. She is an amazing lady. But as much as I love my mother, I would much prefer not to be forced to move back in with her. Instead preferring to stay with my wife of almost 7 years. However when I heard the President proposing to cave on yet another incredibly vital piece of Democratic policy, I quickly realized that I should start planning to see my mother kicked into the street. Because that is exactly what the proposed cuts would do to my mother. And would require me to make moves to support her to an even more extreme level than I previously have. To the point where I would have to move in with her just to save her house.

Please oppose these cuts and help keep my mother out of the streets so that I can stay in our district and continue to support you.

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That's what I've got so far, anyone here think I should write more? Change anything? Suggestions preferably within the hour please!

[daleanime]

1. I like it....

as long as some one else sends more blunt messages.

[Sirveri]

2. Slight modification then

Please oppose the Presidents proposed Social Security and Medicare cuts

I dunno, seems pretty blunt to me. But that little reword looks a bit better and helps hammer the point home. I won't be blaming repigs for this one, I'll be blaming the President.

[bhikkhu]

3. Mr. Miller is well aware that no such cuts are being discussed

...so writing a letter is a good idea, but you might make it more likely to be read or useful by reading about the issue more. Even the repugs are not talking about cutting current benefits for anyone.

CPI adjustments should be more of a worry, though even those are more like .5% here and there over the years.

[Sirveri]

4. OK sure thing. Do you have any good links at hand.

The hysteria level at DU is peaking today, I figured there might be something more behind it this time.

[bhikkhu]

5. This is one from the administration:

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/07/the-white-house-is-playing.php

...last week they also talked about it in conjunction with the budget debate on NPR. As a rule, except for the 87 teabagger freshman (who are determined to shut down government), nobody on either side is talking about cutting current benefits. The repugs in office are well aware they'd be out on their asses, the same as the democrats in office.

A short history of the program listing many modifications along the way: http://www.nysscpa.org/cpajournal/2006/506/infocus/p15.htm

Basically, I think the Untouchable status being given to Social Security is a big mistake - it is like any other long-term government program. It works best when it is managed well, as Obama is talking about doing. On autopilot, as it has been for a long time now, it winds up busted by the road somewhere.

Managing the fund is a part of the job; making it untouchable is a recipe for its long-term failure.