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Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Date: February 9, 2006
For more information, contact:
Matt Russell, 515-277-5077 (ext 15)
Iowans Call on Nussle to Reject Social Security Cuts and Privatization
Comments by Iowa Citizen Action Network organizer, Matt Russell.
“In the second half of last year, Iowa Citizen Action Network was in Davenport, Iowa City, Washington, Cedar Rapids, Waterloo, Decorah, Waverly, Mason City, Clear Lake, Des Moines, and Council Bluffs talking with people about social security privatization. In these 12 communities we talked with over 400 people. In all of these meetings, only four people spoke out in favor of privatization. These were not political rallies. These discussions of social security were in public spaces and churches and notices of these public meetings were published in local newspapers. Iowans overwhelmingly reject the notion of privatizing social security and cutting Social Security benefits.
Here are three statements made by people who attended these meetings.
From Cedar Rapids, ‘A responsible democratic society has an obligation to all its citizens to provide a safety net in the case of disability, dependent children, and the elderly. Anything less is immoral.’
From a Minister in Waterloo, ‘Social Security is a fine example of how from the start we Americans have tried to look out for each other. Currently, we are in a period of strong individualism, contrary to our traditional, long-standing communal spirit. Social Security is a wonderful way to carry out this American communal spirit.’
And from a retired farmer in Klemme, ‘My neighbor lost his wife in a car accident. His two children were very young. He could not have made it if he didn’t have Social Security. He wouldn’t have been able to raise those children alone.’
These statements capture some of the spirit of these meetings. Iowans believe that we are our best when we work together and that Social Security is the crown jewel of how together we can create programs that work for everyone.
Representative Nussle spent last year avoiding taking a position on social security privatization. The President has now put out a plan in his budget on what he’d like to do to Social Security. Representative Nussle needs to size up this proposal and tell Iowans where he stands. Does he believe in the fear mongering of the Bush administration and does he embrace the ideology of privatization or does he stand up with the overwhelmingly majority of Iowans who reject privatization and benefit cuts and who believe Social Security can continue to work as it has for over 70 years.
# # #
Faces and Voices of Social Security Campaign
FACT SHEETS
Privatization: Fact Vs Fiction
Is the McCrery-Shaw Bill Privatization?
REPORTS
Institute for America’s Future: Rural Communities Rely on Social Security Income Nearly TWICE as Much as Non-Rural Communities
The Center for Budget and Policy Priorities: Why the President’s Social Security proposals could ultimately lead to the unraveling of Social Security
Institute for America's Future: Privatization = $152,000 Cut in Social Security Checks for Typical Iowan
RESOURCES
Americans United to Protect Social Security
Midwest Academy: The Bush Plan Weakens Social Security
IN THE NEWS
09/30/05, Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier: Public hearing highlights poverty, budget spending
09/29/05, Mason City Globe Gazette: Guest View: Finding Budget 'High Ground'
09/29/05, Cedar Rapids Gazette: Advocates hope to avoid program cuts
09/27/05, Quad City Times: Putting a face on budget plight
09/20/05, Des Moines Register: Hearings planned on cuts to social programs
08/20/05, Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier: Labor group joins protest of Social Security proposal
08/04/05, Washington Evening Journal: Washington stop on Social Security roadshow
07/26/05, Clear Lake Reporter: Social Security Town Hall Discussion to Take Place in Clear Lake
07/06/2005, The Hawk Eye: Group aiming to take stand against Social Security privatization
PRESS RELEASES
02/09/06 - Iowans Call on Nussle to Reject Social Security Cuts and Privatization
8/19/05 - Iowans Celebrate 70 Years of Social Security
8/12/05 - Who Is Ducking? Congressman Jim Nussle on Social Security Privatization
8/3/05 - Rural Iowans to Discuss Effects of Proposed Changes to Social Security
