Cuts to Social Security and Medicare benefits? Hell no!

[Alan Grayson]

We need to protect Social Security and Medicare from the devastating cuts being negotiated in Washington. Can you take one minute to add your name to our petition today?

There’s a breaking news story from the New York Times reporting that the White House and Congressional Republicans are about to announce a deal that includes cuts to Social Security and Medicare.

I just heard the news — and I’m furious. How can the White House even think about capitulating to the Republicans, especially on vitally important programs like Social Security and Medicare? Veterans, the disabled, and our seniors rely on these programs to survive in an economy that is rigged against ordinary Americans. Things are already bad enough, and the last thing they can afford are brutal cuts at the hands of President Obama and the House Republicans.

This is why I need to be in the U.S. Senate — because I put people ahead of partisan politics, and the needs of the Wall Street cabal. If I were in the U.S. Senate, you can bet that I would filibuster this piece of trash.

Since I can’t filibuster in the House, I need you to sign our petition telling the White House and every member of Congress that cutting Social Security and Medicare is just wrong and fatal for millions of Americans. Can you add your name to our petition demanding the White House kill this terrible deal?

Courage,

Rep. Alan Grayson
Candidate for U.S. Senate

[NaturalHigh]

1. Kick and rec.

[yeoman6987]

2. In another article it says Medicare and SSDI

Are these additions real or is he just guessing?

[Babel_17]

4. Yikes, any cuts have bad implications, but according to the New York Times ...

White House and Congress Said to Be Near Budget Deal

By DAVID M. HERSZENHORN 1:57 PM ET

If approved, the accord would modestly increase domestic spending over the next two years and raise the federal borrowing limit, but it would call for cuts on Medicare and Social Security disability benefits, officials said.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/27/us/politics/congress-and-white-house-near-deal-on-budget.html

[yeoman6987]

33. I agree but we need the truth and not scary wrong facts.

[liberal_at_heart]

34. It is very scary. They shouldn't be making any cuts to any of these programs. They should

be expanding them. And to cut them in order to increase military spending? This is scary and infuriating.

[donnasgirl]

3. Mr Grayson

If you ever wonder why people can not stand Politicians this is one of the issues that comes to mind, there are many others but this is one of the big one's.

[DirkGently]

5. Wall Street and the Republicans are relentless

in trying to kill Social Security and Medicare. They lie about it being "broke." They compare it to "sucking the government teat."

Grayson and Elizabeth Warren are pushing back and calling for an expansion of benefits, rather than just fighting this endless defensive action.

I think they've got the right idea.

[MannyGoldstein]

6. And Third Wayers. nt

[DirkGently]

7. Someone had to say it.

Why am I not surprised it was you?

[INdemo]

9. Well we have a supposedly Democratic President in agreement with the Republicans on this.

Last edited Mon Oct 26, 2015, 09:40 PM - Edit history (1)

This is what happens when Wall St and the banks OWNs the President.
Think it would be any different with Hillary...Hell NO

[denbot]

8. K&R

I already have a recurring donation to your campaign.

[Robbins]

10. This is one of reasons why I support bernie for president

he will fight for social safety net.

I am disabled on SSI so it's personal.the republicans already want to cut benefits to those on ssi.

[liberal_at_heart]

11. If every Democrat from the White House to both houses of Congress don't vote against this

then the Democratic Party is done. And just where is Obama's veto pen? Didn't he just use it? Why not on one of the most important social contracts the government has with its people?

[INdemo]

38. Veto..? Obama is agreeing with the Repukes on this

[liberal_at_heart]

41. I know. I wish I could say I was surprised.

[fbc]

12. Dear Alan Grayson

I like you and I think your positions are right on the money. I also like how you stand up to republicans and are not afraid to tell the truth.

BUT... I have trouble convincing other people to like you because they think you are smug ass and your demeanor is the epitome of what red staters hate about liberals. This should be your mantra: Less smug, more sincere.

And a little work on your wardrobe would help too: the dark shirts with a suit and tie are awful and make you look like a mafioso wannabe. Maybe put less thought into it: a white or light blue shirt requires no thought and always works. And lose the pinstripes: you aren't auditioning for a seat next to Barkley on Inside the NBA.

[dorkzilla]

23. Seriously? You’re critiquing his CLOTHING?

You’ve got to be joking...

[fbc]

26. It would be easier to convince people he's not a huge smug jerk if he didn't look like one.

So yes. I am criticizing his clothing.

[dorkzilla]

29. The people who would be convinced that his smugness is confirmed by his wardrobe

are not going to like him if he starts dressing differently. If they’ve said that’s why they don’t like him they’re lying.

[stage left]

13. K&R

Why do the President and the Republicans hate the elderly and the disabled so much? Year after year it's the same damned thing. I signed the petition and donated a few dollars to your campaign. Thanks for fighting to make a difference.

[liberal_at_heart]

14. I singed the petition and donated to your campaign. Thank you Senator Grayson for fighting for

the people of this country when so few are.

[trof]

15. Old and fucked.

Even in the years when S/S retirement benefits went up, it was a pittance.
Medicare premium increases more than wiped it out.
We're not even breaking even.
Each year we have less money.
The U.S. is not a good country to grow old in.

[liberal_at_heart]

17. The US isn't good to do anything in anymore unless you are wealthy.

It is time for all of us old and young to stand and fight.

[Thespian2]

16. Some Dems

and all RePukkkians, plus Obummer, are just marching to the drum-beat of their corporate masters...don't hold your breath waiting for them to give a shit about the American people...

[maindawg]

18. We should be rioting

If they just had to explain the military budget, one time to the American people, there would turn out to be more than enough money for every thing. For god sake they are spending every fucking dollar on bombs, no they are stealing every dollar making bombs. WHAT the fuck is wrong with us?
We should be rioting.

[liberal_at_heart]

24. I'm looking to see if there are any protests planned in my city right now. If there aren't I will

stand on a corner by myself if I have to. I have a feeling I won't be by myself for long. Also we all need to be writing and calling our Congressional leaders. Let them know if they vote for this we will not vote for them.

[workinclasszero]

32. People really have no idea how many trillions

of dollars we waste on defense in this country.

We have never been allowed to have a peace benefit like the EU countries or Japan.

The bloody MIC eats it all up!

[PennyK]

19. I like Alan Grayson, but I just looked at the article and this is not correct

"Aides said that the Social Security Disability Insurance program would be amended so that a medical exam now required in 30 states before applicants could qualify for benefits would be required in all 50 states. That change was projected to save the government $5 billion.

The emerging deal would also reallocate funds among Social Security program trust funds to ensure solvency of the disability insurance program. Such reallocations have occurred regularly over the decades but Republicans had opposed any new reallocation without changes to reduce costs of the program.

The prospective agreement would also prevent expected increases in out-of-pocket costs for millions of Medicare Part B beneficiaries. The increases would have been caused by the rare absence of a cost-of-living increase in Social Security for some beneficiaries, because of unusually low inflation."
This last part is very important!

I apologize if I quoted in an incorrect way.

[liberal_at_heart]

21. That protection for those already on Medicare Part B was already planned.

Those who are not yet signed up for it will pay more. Here are some changes that are already expected to take place and it ain't pretty. Death by a thousand cuts. The SS and Medicare we have a few years from now will look nothing like the SS and Medicare we have now.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/money/retirement/7-ways-social-security-will-change-in-2016/ar-AAfEecZ?li=AAa0dzB#page=1

[BuelahWitch]

40. Medical exams are used to keep people off SSDI n/t

[newfie11]

20. Hope they hold off until I get my hip replaced!

After they get done with Medicare and ChampVA I'll have to go back to work.
Better yet I'm going to MX.

[BigBearJohn]

42. mine too!

[liberal_at_heart]

22. Is anybody else tired of them playing us against each other? I have a husband and a son on

SSDI. Apparently, in order to save my family's SSDI today I have to support cuts to SS and Medicare in the coming budget. And I know they will continue to come after SS, Medicare, and SSDI over and over and over again and each time it will be the same thing. In order to avoid cuts today we will be required to agree to cuts tomorrow. I'm sorry. I will not do it. They are destroying SS, SSDI, and Medicare and if we don't fight now there will be nothing left to fight for tomorrow. How about instead of letting them pit us against each other we stand together and fight them?

[Utopian Leftist]

27. I am barely surviving on SSD.

And they want to cut benefits? FOOLS!

I will not vote for any politician who is willing to cut SS benefits. They must be expanded.

How about this: since raising the minimum wage to a living wage is good for the economy, how about we give disabled people like myself, who survive on Social Security, a living wage, too? We are the ones who desperately need a little extra, who would run right out and spend it, if we got it. Last year I had to sell my car, my only means of transportation other than public, just to pay dental bills in Mexico (can't afford an American dentist). It's a nightmare.

[liberal_at_heart]

30. Americans seem complacent when it comes to the government screwing them but I have a feeling

SS will be the one issue that will backfire on the politicians. They forget it was the baby boomers that changed the world in the '60s, and I think my daughter's generation, the Millennials, who do not identify with either organized religion or establishment politics will stand up and fight. I'm ashamed that my generation the one in between the baby boomers and the Millennials have stood by and allowed this shit to happen for 30 years. Well, I'm standing up now. I am standing up with the boomers and the Millennials. We cannot allow this to happen.

[restorefreedom]

31. a living wage would be the best stimulus ever

it would get nearly 100% recycled back into the economy. but the greedy corporate fools can't grasp basic economic concepts.

[cpompilo]

35. People with disabilities NEED a living wage! $15/hr x 40hr/week x 52 weeks. Send it to Bernie!

Wonderful idea! How can we make this happen?

15x40x52 Campaign

ENABLE THE DISABLED
Living in Dignity

[Utopian Leftist]

36. Bernie and Elizabeth Warren

have both spoken of the need to increase Social Security benefits. It may not be possible, but at least I believe those two, if they make such a promise, will do everything they can to fight for it. Alan Grayson, too.

I am definitely feeling the Bern Revolution! Bring it on!

[cpompilo]

37. Agree but their commitment is general for the moment. This is very specific.

Let's see if we can light a few fires around this specific need & proposal. That is how the $15/hr living wage movement started, in someone's living room. This is our living room - kind of crowded, but all the better!

15x40x52 Campaign

ENABLE THE DISABLED
Living in Dignity

is something all DUers can get behind,
all progressives can get behind,
all Dem candidates can get behind,
all Dem politicians can get behind.

What do you say? Want to do something big?

[Utopian Leftist]

43. Sure, sign me up.

I don't know where we'd start but far too many people on disability are begging for their needs.

[cpompilo]

44. I've started by sending emails to Skinner and Alan Grayson.

Haven't heard back yet.

[dorkzilla]

25. From one Bronx kid to another...

You rock

Thank you for making this an issue, and keep hammering away!!!!!

[randys1]

28. Scrap the cap and NO cuts.

[lonestarnot]

39. K & R!

[bvar22]

45. It took a Nixon to go to China;

It takes a "Democrat" to cut the cornerstone of the modern Democratic Party.
.
.
.
.
.
.
sad
Read you History about life in the US before Social Security.
Obama has single handedly turned OFF the power to the 3rd Rail of Politics.
NOW, Social Security WILL be-on-the-table in EVERY "budget negotiation" until it is gone.