Reasons to expand Social Security
Mark Crain - MoveOn Civ
When members of Congress voted to end the Tea Party-led government shutdown last month, they imposed a December 13 deadline on themselves to reach a "long-term budget deal."1 As that deadline approaches, media chatter about the budget is bound to get louder. So what will the talking heads discuss?
Well, the conventional wisdom in D.C. is that current budget negotiations are all but guaranteed to cut Social Security or Medicare benefits—but MoveOn members and allies have been shifting the conversation to expand Social Security, not cut it. In the past week alone, we've seen articles in the New Republic, BuzzFeed Politics, and the Washington Post, all with the same message: the push to expand is gaining steam.2
The simple truth is that we're already facing a crisis—67% of today's seniors won't be able to maintain their standard of living in retirement.3 We need a solution immediately, and the most logical way to solve this problem is to improve on the most successful social program in American history by increasing Social Security benefits—not cutting them.
Our position's gaining traction in the media, but to make this a reality, every American needs to understand the crisis we're facing and our way out. Whether you're sharing coffee with a friend or Thanksgiving dinner with your family, this infographic created with our friends at DFA and SSW is the perfect conversation starter—and a convincing tool for anyone who needs a little push.
Thanks for all you do.
–Mark, Alex, Garlin, Matt P., and the rest of the team
Source:
1. "Can GOP, Democrats Come Together on a Budget by December 13?" NPR, October 18, 2013
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=294988&id=77636-2269734-QB4iBxx&t=3
2. "Liberals Dance on the Grand Bargain's Grave," BuzzFeed Politics, November 6, 2013
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=294904&id=77636-2269734-QB4iBxx&t=4
"Liberal push to expand Social Security gains steam," Washington Post, November 5, 2013
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=294883&id=77636-2269734-QB4iBxx&t=5
"The Next Big Fight Between Hillary Clinton and Liberals," New Republic, November 7, 2013
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=294989&id=77636-2269734-QB4iBxx&t=6
3. "2013 Social Security Trustees Report Shows that Social Security Continues to Work for America," Strengthen Social Security, accessed November 11, 2013
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=294971&id=77636-2269734-QB4iBxx&t=7
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