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Press Release
Iowans United to Protect Social Security
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Date: March 16, 2005
Iowans United to Protect Social Security Joins $20 Million National Campaign to Defeat Bush’s Privatization Plan
On Same Day as 25 Other States, Launches New Statewide Grassroots Initiative: "The Real Faces of Social Security"
(Des Moines, IA)— Iowans United to Protect Social Security, a coalition of groups which has banded together in opposition to President Bush’s scheme to privatize Social Security, including Iowa Citizen Action Network and the Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, announced today that it has joined the national campaign to defeat Bush’s scheme to privatize Social Security. The national campaign, Americans United to Protect Social Security (Americans United) plans to spend upwards of $20 million on its effort to beat back the Bush privatization proposal which would slash benefits and include a massive increase in the national debt.
"Social Security is not in crisis", said Mark Smith, President of the Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO. "It is quite possible that the program can be sustained indefinitely, without any major overhaul. The real bottom line question is, if it ain’t broke, why fix it?"
Using a variety of tools and initiatives, Iowans United to Protect Social Security will educate the public on the dangers of privatization and will apply pressure to members of the Congressional Delegation to convince them to oppose the President’s plan.
Iowans United to Protect Social Security announced its first major such statewide grassroots initiative as part of the national campaign, The Real Faces of Social Security. The Real Faces of Social Security initiative is part of Americans United’s 60 Faces Over 60 Days: The Real Faces of Social Security campaign which is a direct response to the Bush Administration’s 60 Cities in 60 days tour of the country promoting the privatization scheme.
"On our side, we will be highlighting the real faces of Social Security," said Lisa Davis Cook, Co-Director of Iowa Citizen Action Network. "From survivors and retirees to the disabled and young folks who are concerned Social Security won’t be there for them, we are going to use real stories to highlight the dangers of privatization."
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
