Over the last two years, millions of dollars have been spent by Wall Street and other parties promoting the privatization of Social Security. (Other powerful forces have been pushing a voucher system for Medicare.) Most of that money has been spent in Washington, D.C. — on lobbyists, think tanks, and other elites. But this year the battle has moved to the state and local level — where the people who would be affected live, work and take care of their families.
Opponents of Social Security privatization — and the "voucherization" of Medicare — don’t have the big money, but have instead found a powerful, local voice. It’s the voice of women and organized labor, seniors and young people, people with disabilities and
community religious leaders. United by the Campaign for America’s Future in a powerful coalition
representing all these constituencies, they have launched an election year campaign to educate the public about the downsides of privatization and vouchers and are calling on politicians running for office to talk straight with the voters about which side they are on.
Several years ago, supporters of privatization pushed resolutions through legislatures in a few states promoting the view that Social Security taxes ought to be diverted into risky individual stock market accounts. Their privatization schemes would have forced deep cuts in benefits, increases in the retirement age or cuts in annual cost of living adjustments. Most of these changes would have fallen hardest on women, people of color and low to moderate income workers.
Some state legislators who realize the dangers in the privatization approach have passed resolutions to protect Social Security in the Maine, Indiana and California state legislatures. These resolutions have no legal force, but they do demand that legislators declare themselves publicly on an issue that the public really cares about. The resolutions are also good publicity for the statewide coalitions dedicated to educating the public and other elected lawmakers about Social Security and Medicare, organized by senior groups, organized labor, U.S. Action affiliates and others in several states including California, Texas, Michigan, New Hampshire and Washington.
A model pro-Social Security resolution for state legislatures has been written by the Campaign for America’s Future and is posted on CPA’s web site (follow the link above). Resolutions can be used to communicate the views of local elected officials— and of the voters — to their representatives in Washington D.C. State legislators are urged to sign and circulate the resolution to their colleagues.
This is the crucial year. It is critical that members of the public know and understand the views of local elected officials and members of Congress on Social Security and Medicare. Policy specific questions will be asked of candidates for state legislative seats and the U.S. House and Senate before, rather than after, the coming election.
If the public is not educated about the views of their Congress members, it is likely that many candidates will campaign by portraying themselves as "defenders of Social Security and Medicare" and then return to Washington with the goal if dismantling both social insurance systems. In addition to encouraging resolutions, the Campaign for America’s Future has launched a pledge campaign on Social Security and Medicare for candidates for federal office in order to highlight the views of these potential policymakers.
The content of the pledge leads with policy issues intended to inform the public about the views of policymakers on Social Security privatization, Social Security benefit cuts, a Medicare prescription drug benefit, the budget surplus and Medicare vouchers. If you are interested in learning more about the Pledge for Social Security and Medicare you can visit the campaign on the web at www.signthepledge.org.
These and other activities seek to sharpen the distinctions between those who would strengthen
Social Security and those who would harm it. The big choices about the future of Social Security and Medicare are important. This year — thanks to the fact that the debate has moved to
the states and communities — the politicians cannot avoid the first obligation of a candidate in a democracy: to state their views clearly to the voters and let the people decide.
A word from CPA
Social Security has been the foundation of economic security for working Americans for two generations now, not only by assuring dignity in old age, but also by insuring families against catastrophic loss of income if the primary wage earner becomes disabled or dies. State legislators can help educate the public about Social Security through state resolutions. They can also go further in reinforcing protections for workers by providing incentives for employers to provide pensions and family-friendly benefits for their workers, and by implementing new state-based programs like supplemental portable pension accounts and paid family leave.
Web Resources
For more information about state resolutions and pledges on Social Security in the states, contact:
Key Facts
- Strengthening Social Security and Medicare is one of the top priorities of U.S. citizens.
- Social Security is part of almost everyone’s life. Social Security protects more than 145 million workers and supports 44 million people in the form of retirement, disability and survivors benefits.
- No other program has been as successful as Social Security in helping people, especially elderly, maintain long-term financial security. Social Security comprises 64% of senior citizens income.
