CCD RECESS ALERT: Oppose Privatizing Social Security!!!
June, 2005
The Issue: As you all know, the President and others are aggressively promoting changes in Social Security to include private accounts to replace guaranteed benefits. Both the House and Senate have been holding hearings about Social Security reform. The next few months are critical for the outcome of these proposals.
Background: The Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities [CCD] is planning grassroots activities to oppose privatization. To ensure success, we will work closely with our local chapters and members and other interested groups and coalitions that oppose privatization. For more information about how various changes would affect people with disabilities, be sure to read the CCD Fact Sheets and PowerPoint presentation posted at www.c-c-d.org, click on Social Security Task Force.
What You Can Do: We need your help to speak out to oppose privatization. We cannot afford to assume that people with disabilities will be protected in any plan that promotes privatization. We must continue to educate Members of Congress and the public about the importance of Social Security to people with disabilities. During the Fourth of July recess, you may see Members of Congress at public events, parades, informal gatherings or in their district offices. The recess begins this Friday, July 1 and runs through Sunday, July 10. This is an excellent time to talk about how the Social Security program must continue to provide guaranteed benefits for eligible people with disabilities and their family members.
The Message: Any changes in the Social Security program must follow four principles:
- Preserve it as social insurance for everyone who is eligible.
- Keep its current structure based on payroll taxes that guarantees monthly benefits adjusted for inflation.
- Protect children and spouses - both with and without disabilities
- who depend on Social Security benefits when their worker spouse or parent retires, dies or becomes disabled.
- Restore its financial stability to meet the future needs of eligible individuals.
Urge your senators and representatives to make sure that Congress requests a beneficiary impact statement on every major part of any serious proposal. In a program that affects millions of individuals of all ages, Congress must look beyond budget changes to understand the actual impact of any changes on peoples daily lives.
We need everyone to help spread this message. Please speak out!
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