Sunday, April 28, 2013

The fight to protect Social Security continues

Find out what's next in the campaign to save Social Security by joining a conference call with  Congressional Progressive Caucus Chairman Rep. Keith Ellison this Monday (tomorrow) at 9 p.m. ET.

Join the call for a political update and to hear from MoveOn leaders fighting to defend Social Security. Together, we'll plot MoveOn's next steps in our campaign. Can you dial in?


RSVP for the call!
Highlights from the big nationwide Mobilization to Protect Social Security

MoveOn members found creative ways to protest President Obama's proposed Social Security cuts this week.

Some MoveOn members dressed in chains to protest "chained CPI." Others brought cans of cat food
.

Click here for a slideshow of these pictures and more.

Dear MoveOn member,

On Thursday, MoveOn members across the country delivered petitions to congressional offices that sent a clear message to our elected officials: "We won't support Social Security cuts, or any politician who votes for them."

The demonstrations were a continuation of the amazing work that MoveOn members have been doing for years to defend Social Security from benefit cuts.

Remember when President Bush tried to privatize the program in 2005? MoveOn members were there.

Remember the so-called "fiscal cliff" debacle this past December, when President Obama offered a Social Security-cutting deal to Republicans? MoveOn members were there, too.

And now, as President Obama is proposing Social Security cuts as part of his official budget proposal, MoveOn members are there again to push back hard.

To keep this momentum going, we're organizing a call at 9 p.m. ET this Monday (tomorrow) with U.S. Representative Keith Ellison, co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. We'll talk about the next steps in the fight to protect Social Security.

Can you join the call with Congressman Ellison tomorrow night?

Yes, I can call in on Monday at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

Here's just some of what we've accomplished recently:
  • Former U.S. Labor Secretary Robert Reich recorded an educational video and started a petition on MoveOn.org's petition website that got more than 330,000 signatures opposing the cuts.1
  • MoveOn members sent in moving pictures to a photo petition to the president—and we then used a big online ad buy and social media push to make sure that elected officials and their staff saw it.2
  • We joined allies in front of the White House to deliver more than 2 million petition signatures, putting Democrats and Republicans on notice that MoveOn members—who'd worked long and hard to elect President Obama—would hold lawmakers who vote for these cuts accountable.3

  • And this week, MoveOn members took action in our neighborhoods to deliver petitions to nearly 100 members of Congress at their home offices. Our demonstrations attracted national and local media attention from NPR to The Huffington Post and prompted several members of Congress to announce their opposition to the cuts.4

The people-powered movement to stop cuts to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid benefits has been remarkable. Working with our allies, MoveOn members are making incredible progress.

But we can't let up for a moment. Although 87 percent of Americans oppose Social Security cuts for current retirees to balance the budget, billionaires—and Washington insiders—continue pushing for these deeply unpopular cuts.5

So now's a great day to take a breath, and celebrate the progress we've made together. But then, we need to get ready to take action in the coming weeks and months, starting this Monday!

Join the call on Monday at 9 p.m. ET to get a political update from Congressman Ellison, hear from fellow MoveOn leaders who've been leading in this fight, and plot MoveOn's next steps together.

Click here to RSVP and get your personal call-in code.

Thanks for all you do.

–Ilya, Manny, Mark, Lenore, and the rest of the team

P.S. To see pictures from Thursday's petition deliveries, click here.

Sources:

1. "Robert Reich on why you shouldn't accept Chained CPI from Obama or anybody," MoveOn.org
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=289557&id=66783-10220574-eeX1Drx&t=7

"Please do not cut Social Security," petition by Robert Reich, SignOn.org
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=288686&id=66783-10220574-eeX1Drx&t=8

2. "Obama: Don't Cut Social Security" Photo Petition, Tumblr
http://savesocialsecurity.tumblr.com/

"President Obama brushes back his activist left," Time, April 8, 2013
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=289559&id=66783-10220574-eeX1Drx&t=9

3. "Bernie Sanders, MoveOn, AFL-CIO, Social Security Works, & a million more say 'No Cuts!'"
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=289571&id=66783-10220574-eeX1Drx&t=10

"President Obama's risky 'goodwill' gambit," Politico, April 10, 2013
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=289558&id=66783-10220574-eeX1Drx&t=11

4. "Dems, GOP Talk Up Deficit Reduction, But Don't Act," NPR, April 25, 2013
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=289541&id=66783-10220574-eeX1Drx&t=12

"Nancy Pelosi Social Security protest in San Francisco urges Minority Leader not to cut entitlements," Huff Post San Francisco, April 26, 2013
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=289542&id=66783-10220574-eeX1Drx&t=13

5. "Chained CPI Loathed By Seniors: AARP Poll," The Huffington Post, April 5, 2013
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=289427&id=66783-10220574-eeX1Drx&t=14

Want to support our work? MoveOn Civic Action is entirely funded by our 8 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.


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Thursday, April 25, 2013

Raped in the U.S. Navy

Below is an email from Trina McDonald, a U.S. Navy veteran and rape survivor. Trina started a petition on the MoveOn website, where anyone can start their own online petition.



Sign the petition

Dear MoveOn member,

In 1989, I volunteered for the U.S. Navy. I was assigned a duty station in Adak, Alaska. I got there on Valentine's Day, and within two months, I was raped for the first time.

The people involved in my rapes were military police personnel, security personnel, higher-ranking officers—the people that I would have gone to and reported. And so, I have never had the opportunity to actually report it to anyone.

According to estimates from the Department of Defense, 19,000 service men and women are sexually assaulted while serving in the United States military every year. But 86% of them never report their assault—too often because seeking justice threatens their safety, their job security, and their future. 

That's why I created a petition urging the U.S. Senate to ensure that survivors of military sexual assault are not invisible and receive the justice they deserve. Congress must amend the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) and move the prosecution of military sexual assault out of the chain of command. 

Click here to add your name to this petition, and then pass it along to your friends.

The petition says:

Only the U.S. Congress can amend the Uniform Code of Military Justice. The U.S. Senate must act swiftly to move the decision to prosecute sexual assault in the military out of the chain of command. Survivors should not suffer retribution for speaking up, and rape should never be an "occupational hazard." Only Congress can change the UCMJ to create a real, working system for prosecuting sexual predators in the military—and ultimately putting an end to military sexual assault.   

Click here to add your name to this petition, and then pass it along to your friends.

Thanks!

–Trina McDonald

This petition was created on MoveOn's online petition site, where anyone can start their own online petitions. Trina didn't pay us to send this email—we never rent or sell the MoveOn.org list.

Want to support our work? MoveOn Civic Action is entirely funded by our 8 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.


This email was sent to eddie alfaro on April 25, 2013. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Monday, April 22, 2013

Want to pass background checks? Fix the Senate!

Below is an email from the organization Fix The Senate Now, which created a petition on SignOn.org, the nonprofit site that allows anyone to start their own online petition. If you have concerns or feedback about this petition, click here.



Tell Senator Reid: Enough is enough. It's time to fix the Senate.

Sign the Petition!
Dear MoveOn member,

Wednesday's vote on the amendment to expand background checks for gun purchases was a devastating blow to commonsense gun reform.

What it also showed is that the compromise on rules reform Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid made at the start of this Congressional session is clearly not working. 

Although 86% of Americans supported the amendment and 54 senators voted to pass it, the amendment failed because it was subject to the same 60-vote threshold ordinarily reserved for ending filibusters.

Enough is enough. 

Tell Senator Reid to enact meaningful filibuster reform so that we can end this obstructionism and restore accountability to the U.S. Senate.

Please sign the petition to Senator Harry Reid, which says:

The abuse of the filibuster to undermine policies that the minority cannot defeat through normal legislative channels represents a subversion of core democratic principles and Senate traditions, and should not continue. 

The defeat of the Manchin-Toomey amendment to expand background checks for gun sales at gun shows and over the Internet is just the latest example of the minority preventing action on legislation that has the strong support of the American public. 

Senators intent on blocking popular policies such as expanded background checks should be forced to hold the floor and keep at least 40 of their colleagues on the floor with them. Instead, Senate rules and procedures made opposing Manchin-Toomey essentially costless and accountability-free. 

We call on you, and all the members of the Senate, to reform the Senate rules to restore accountability and transparency to Senate debate.

Click here to add your name to this petition, and then pass it along to your friends.

Thanks!

–Fix The Senate Now

This petition was created on SignOn.org, the progressive, nonprofit petition site. SignOn.org is sponsored by MoveOn Civic Action, which is not responsible for the contents of this or other petitions posted on the site. Fix The Senate Now didn't pay us to send this email—we never rent or sell the MoveOn.org list.

 

Want to support our work? MoveOn Civic Action is entirely funded by our 8 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.


This email was sent to eddie alfaro on April 22, 2013. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Sunday, April 21, 2013

Re: Lead a Social Security petition delivery Thursday?

Hi MoveOn member—

I'll be quick: We're organizing a big day of action to deliver petitions opposing Social Security cuts to local congressional offices this Thursday, April 25.

John Cogswell—a MoveOn member not far from you—recently started a petition. But nobody in your area has stepped to deliver the petition to Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand yet.  

Can you help out?

Yes, I'll organize a petition delivery to Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand on Thursday, April 25.

More details below:


Dear MoveOn member,

Hundreds of MoveOn members across America have launched petition campaigns opposing the Social Security cuts recently proposed by President Obama.

Grassroots action is already having a big impact in the fight to stop Social Security cuts. Recently, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi expressed serious concerns about including President Obama's proposed Social Security cuts in the budget.1

To keep the energy behind these petitions growing, we're organizing a big day of action to deliver these petitions to local congressional offices at the same time this Thursday, April 25. To pull it off, we're counting on MoveOn members to lead deliveries.

John Cogswell—a MoveOn member not far from you—got things going by creating a petition to stop cuts to Social Security. And now we need another MoveOn member to step up to organize the delivery event next week. Can you help out? 

Yes, I'll organize a petition delivery to Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand on Thursday, April 25.

Organizing a petition delivery event is easy and fun. We'll give you step-by-step instructions, help you generate media attention, and recruit other MoveOn members to join you. We'll even pay for the cost of printing of the petition.

And you don't have to travel far to lead a petition delivery. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand has an office at: 

780 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10017 

(Or you can look up other locations here.)

So can you take the lead and organize a delivery to Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand's local office as part of the mobilization to protect Social Security?

Yes, I'll organize a petition delivery to Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand on Thursday, April 25.

Thanks for all you do.

–Ilya, Milan, Amy, Manny, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. "Pelosi walks tightrope on Social Security cuts," The Hill, April 11, 2013
http://thehill.com/homenews/house/293411-pelosi-walks-tightrope-on-chained-cpi-

Want to support our work? MoveOn Civic Action is entirely funded by our 8 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.


This email was sent to eddie alfaro on April 21, 2013. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Saturday, April 20, 2013

Lead a Social Security petition delivery Thursday?

Dear MoveOn member,

Hundreds of MoveOn members across America have launched petition campaigns opposing the Social Security cuts recently proposed by President Obama. 

Grassroots action is already having a big impact in the fight to stop Social Security cuts. Recently, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi expressed serious concerns about including President Obama's proposed Social Security cuts in the budget.1 

To keep the energy behind these petitions growing, we're organizing a big day of action to deliver these petitions to local congressional offices at the same time this Thursday, April 25. To pull it off, we're counting on MoveOn members to lead deliveries.

John Cogswell—a MoveOn member not far from you—got things going by creating a petition to stop cuts to Social Security. And now we need another MoveOn member to step up to organize the delivery event next week. Can you help out? 

Yes, I'll organize a petition delivery to Sen. Charles Schumer on Thursday, April 25.

Organizing a petition delivery event is easy and fun. We'll give you step-by-step instructions, help you generate media attention, and recruit other MoveOn members to join you. We'll even pay for the cost of printing of the petition.

And you don't have to travel far to lead a petition delivery. Sen. Charles Schumer has an office at: 

780 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10017 

(Or you can look up other locations here.)

So can you take the lead and organize a delivery to Sen. Charles Schumer's local office as part of the mobilization to protect Social Security?

Yes, I'll organize a petition delivery to Sen. Charles Schumer on Thursday, April 25.

Thanks for all you do.

–Ilya, Milan, Amy, Manny, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. "Pelosi walks tightrope on Social Security cuts," The Hill, April 11, 2013
http://thehill.com/homenews/house/293411-pelosi-walks-tightrope-on-chained-cpi-

Want to support our work? MoveOn Civic Action is entirely funded by our 8 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.


This email was sent to eddie alfaro on April 20, 2013. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Thursday, April 18, 2013

45 Senators

If Congress won't support commonsense gun safety laws that 90% of the public want, it's time to make sure we'll have legislators who will. Can you help build an early war chest for progressive candidates?   

Chip in $5

Dear MoveOn member,

Only a few months after Newtown, with 90% of the American public in support, the Senate yesterday blocked legislation guaranteeing background checks for nearly all gun sales.1

Those 45 Senators held up safety for our children, our families, our communities. And four of them were Democrats.

They were scared of what the NRA might do if they voted "yes." It's time for us to show them whom they ought to be afraid of instead: If you stand with the NRA against the families of murdered children, against commonsense safety, against 90 percent of the public, then you don't get to stand for us anymore.

We're raising a war chest to help strong progressive candidates who'll stand up to the NRA get into office from state legislatures on up to the White House. You can bet that there are a few names that won't be on that list: Senators Mark Pryor (AK), Max Baucus (MT), Mark Begich (AK), and Heidi Heitkamp (ND)—the four Democrats who voted to filibuster background checks.

Can you chip in $5 to fund our work in support of anti-NRA candidates?

As Gabby Giffords said in response to the Senate's vote, "Mark my words: if we cannot make our communities safer with the Congress we have now, we will use every means available to make sure we have a different Congress, one that puts communities' interests ahead of the gun lobby's."2

Why start now? Because the earlier we're able to support real progressives, the stronger we can make their campaigns, and the better chance we have to elect candidates who will listen to the people, not the NRA.

But to have a fighting chance, we're going to need to raise enough to take on groups like the NRA and show elected officials that they're better off standing with us than with gun lobbyists.

Can you chip in $5 to help?

Thanks for all you do.

–Garlin, Susannah, Stefanie, Ilya, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. "Gun Control Effort Had No Real Chance, Despite Pleas," The New York Times, April 17, 2013
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=289161&id=66145-10220574-XPXdgjx&t=4

2. "A Senate in the Gun Lobby's Grip," The New York Times, April 17, 2013
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=289162&id=66145-10220574-XPXdgjx&t=5

 

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 7 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.


PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on April 18, 2013. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

I brought your voice to Congress on Monday

The Senate will vote TODAY as early as 4:00 p.m. EST on gun violence measures—bans on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, and background checks for all gun sales. I delivered our signatures Monday, but we all need to call our senators right away before they vote.

Lori Haas, mother of a Virginia Tech shooting survivor and MoveOn member delivers 1.3 million  MoveOn member petition signatures for gun violence prevention


Watch This Video & Call

Dear MoveOn member,

Six years ago, my daughter Emily was in French class at Virginia Tech when a gunman opened fire, ultimately killing 32 students and staff members. Emily was shot twice in the back of the head but survived.

The next day I committed myself to advocating for new laws in Virginia and at the national level to prevent gun violence. That's why, hours after the tragedy in Newtown, I hosted a candlelight vigil and asked MoveOn members to do the same. More than 300 of you responded as hosts, and less than 24 hours after the tragedy, thousands of MoveOn members and allies lit up the night to mourn the victims and call for change.

I also started a petition that day, asking the president, the House, and the Senate to work to pass meaningful gun violence prevention measures ASAP. Since then, more than 1.3 million MoveOn members signed my petition and others like it calling for background checks on all gun sales, and bans on military-style semi-automatic weapons and high-capacity magazines.

This week, on Monday, April 15—four months after Newtown and 2,192 days after I nearly lost Emily—I delivered more than 1.3 million signatures to six of the Democratic senators who haven't gotten on board with these common-sense policies: Mary Landrieu (LA), Mark Begich (AK), Mark Pryor (AR), Kay Hagan (NC), Max Baucus (MT), and my very own Virginia Senator Mark Warner.1 

Today, the Senate will vote on all of these polices. Every senator's phone needs to ring off the hook with calls from all of us telling them to vote to prevent gun violence. Will you join me and make a call right now?

Click here to watch the video of me delivering more than 1.3 million MoveOn member signatures and to call your senator.

I've been fighting for this opportunity to win real reform for six years. But I'm not just going to sit back and watch any senators vote against gun violence prevention without their hearing my voice and the voices of all the victims, families, and allies calling for reform.

Today's votes to prevent gun violence will save lives and help prevent tragedies like the one that visited my family six years ago. 

Watch this video and call on your senator to urge a "yes" vote today on key gun violence prevention measures.

Thank you.

Lori Haas
Mother of a Virginia Tech survivor
MoveOn member
Organizer with the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence

Sources:

1. "Senators draw line at private gun sales; compromise to test ideals," The Washington Times, April 15, 2013
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=289097&id=66036-10220574-7PzzYzx&t=7

"As debate begins, Senate background check proposal for gun sales lacks necessary votes," The Washington Post, April 15, 2013 
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=289098&id=66036-10220574-7PzzYzx&t=8

"On anniversary of Va. Tech shooting, bipartisan gun-control compromise reaches Senate," Richmond Times-Dispatch, April 16, 2013
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=289099&id=66036-10220574-7PzzYzx&t=9

"Virginia Tech Massacre 6 Years Later," FOX 5 News WTTG, April 16, 2013
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=289100&id=66036-10220574-7PzzYzx&t=10

Want to support our work? MoveOn Civic Action is entirely funded by our 8 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.


This email was sent to eddie alfaro on April 17, 2013. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Get Elizabeth Warren's back

Elizabeth Warren came to Washington on a wave of people power. Now we've got a chance to give her a strong progressive ally in the Senate. Can you pitch in $5 to Ed Markey's campaign for the U.S. Senate?

Chip in $5

Dear MoveOn member,

Elizabeth Warren is already proving to be the progressive Senate leader so many MoveOn members were counting on when we got behind her campaign in 2011. She hasn't wasted any time taking on the big banks and standing up against any cuts to Social Security benefits.

MoveOn members helped propel Elizabeth to the Senate by raising more than $1 million for her campaign—and now we've got a chance to double down on her leadership and send another progressive leader to the Senate from Massachusetts: Ed Markey. He's running in the Democratic primary for the special election to fill Secretary of State John Kerry's seat in just three weeks. 

As a member of Congress, Ed Markey has been a national leader on progressive issues. He's been a fierce defender of Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, and Obamacare, and a strong champion of a woman's right to make her own decisions about her reproductive health—and now MoveOn members have endorsed his campaign for the U.S. Senate. 

Can you pitch in $5 to Ed's campaign right now—before tonight's critical FEC deadline—and send Elizabeth Warren an ally in the U.S. Senate? 

Yes, I can contribute $5 to Ed Markey's campaign.

MoveOn members from across Massachusetts have been excited to share why they support Ed in the special election primary coming up in just three weeks: 

Ian from Somerville, MA: 

The choice here is clear: Rep. Markey is the only candidate in this race who has been a consistent progressive advocate for health care, the environment, reproductive rights, LGBT equality, and a responsible U.S. foreign policy.

Lorna from Amherst, MA:

We want a senator who will work with Elizabeth Warren and will support progressive causes and women's rights (...) 

Cathy from Natick, MA:    

Rep. Markey has been my congressman for the 19 years I have lived in his district. He is THE leader on climate change in Washington. 

MoveOn members in Massachusetts endorsed Markey with more than 94% of votes cast, and with primary day three weeks away, he'll need to rapidly raise enough money to run a winning statewide campaign. 

Can you contribute $5 to Ed's campaign?

Thanks for all you do.

Ilya, Stephen, Elena, Justin, and the rest of the team

 

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 7 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.


PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on April 10, 2013. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Banned from church for getting married?

Below is an email from Michael Sherrard of the organization Faithful America, who created a petition on SignOn.org, the nonprofit site that allows anyone to start their own online petition. If you have concerns or feedback about this petition, click here.


Dear Inwood MoveOn member,

Imagine returning from your honeymoon only to be called into your pastor's office and told that you've been banned from volunteering in church ministries, simply because you got married.

Nicholas Coppola is a member of St. Antony's Roman Catholic Church in Oceanside, New York, where he used to lead religious education classes, serve as a lector, and visit homebound parishioners. Nicholas is gay and has been out to everyone at church for years. A number of parishioners even attended his wedding.

But after Nicholas got married, someone sent an ugly anonymous note to the bishop, and suddenly he was banned from volunteering at church.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops claims they're not anti-gay. Just this week, their spokeswoman wrote: "No one is carded at a Catholic church. Shunning is not the Catholic tradition." Now Nicholas Coppola's bishop has an opportunity to prove it.

That's why I created a petition on SignOn.org to the Most Reverend William Murphy, Bishop of Rockville Centre, which says:

Bishop Murphy, please let Nicholas Coppola resume volunteering at his parish—and make it clear that faithful gay and lesbian Catholics are welcome to participate fully in parish life in your diocese.

Click here to add your name to this petition, and then pass it along to your friends.

Thanks!

–Michael Sherrard

This petition was created on SignOn.org, the progressive, nonprofit petition site. SignOn.org is sponsored by MoveOn Civic Action, which is not responsible for the contents of this or other petitions posted on the site. Faithful America didn't pay us to send this email—we never rent or sell the MoveOn.org list.

Want to support our work? MoveOn Civic Action is entirely funded by our 7 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.


This email was sent to eddie alfaro on April 9, 2013. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Monday, April 8, 2013

Call President Obama now: Don't cut Social Security

Call the White House and tell President Obama: "Do not cut Social Security benefits by lowering cost-of-living adjustments."

202-456-1111

Report Your Call!
Dear MoveOn member,

Last week, we learned that President Obama plans to propose cutting Social Security by lowering the cost-of-living adjustment—which already fails to keep up with inflation for seniors because of the rising costs of health care.1

MoveOn member Rita Castillo captured what so many of us are feeling when she said, "I campaigned for you, voted for you, talked you up to all my friends and anybody who maligned you. Don't do this."

President Obama still has time to reverse course and drop these cuts from his budget. Please call the White House today and tell President Obama: "Do not cut Social Security benefits by lowering cost-of-living adjustments." 

Here's where to call: 202-456-1111

Then, please report your call by clicking here:

http://civ.moveon.org/call?cp_id=1909&tg=793&id=65610-10220574-ncKokHx&t=2

Thanks for all you do.

–Ilya, Joan, Eric, Nick, and the rest of the team

Source:

1. "The Issue:' Chained CPI' an answer to deficit or unfair to seniors and other vulnerable groups" United Press International, March 17, 2013
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=288841&id=65610-10220574-ncKokHx&t=3

Want to support our work? MoveOn Civic Action is entirely funded by our 7 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.


This email was sent to eddie alfaro on April 8, 2013. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Sunday, April 7, 2013

Please, Mr. President, don't do this

Below is an email from former U.S. Labor Secretary Robert Reich. Robert created a petition that's been taking off ever since news leaked that President Obama plans to propose $112 billion in Social Security cuts over the next decade, via a scheme known as "chained CPI." 



"Mr. President, the chained CPI is a cut to Social Security benefits that would hurt seniors—it's an idea not befitting a Democratic president."

Sign the Petition!

Dear MoveOn member,

Social Security is not driving the deficit, therefore it should not be part of reforms aimed at cutting the deficit.  

The chained CPI, deceptively portrayed as a reasonable cost of living adjustment, is a cut to Social Security benefits that would hurt seniors.

That's why I created a petition to President Barack Obama, which says:

Mr. President, the chained CPI is a cut to Social Security benefits that would hurt seniors—it's an idea not befitting a Democratic president. If you want to reform Social Security, make the wealthy pay their fair share by lifting the cap on income subject to Social Security taxes.

Click here to add your name to this petition, and then pass it along to your friends.

There are several sensible reforms to Social Security that should be considered to help make it sustainable, including lifting the ceiling on income subject to Social Security from $113,700 to $200,000 or more, as well as instituting a 1% raise in the payroll tax rate, a rate that hasn't changed in over 20 years.

Both of these reforms would go a long way toward protecting the long-term health of Social Security, but neither should not be conflated with efforts to reduce the federal budget deficit.

Sign the petition: Tell President Obama to stand by his Democratic principles and fight to protect Social Security benefits.

Thanks!

–Robert Reich, former U.S. Secretary of Labor

This petition was created on SignOn.org, the progressive, nonprofit petition site. SignOn.org is sponsored by MoveOn Civic Action, which is not responsible for the contents of this or other petitions posted on the site. Robert Reich, former U.S. Secretary of Labor didn't pay us to send this email—we never rent or sell the MoveOn.org list.

Want to support our work? MoveOn Civic Action is entirely funded by our 7 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.


This email was sent to eddie alfaro on April 7, 2013. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Saturday, April 6, 2013

Obama vs. Social Security?




Submit your photo

Dear MoveOn member,

Yesterday, we learned that President Obama is proposing cutting Social Security by $112 billion dollars, making him the first Democratic President in history to officially propose cutting Social Security.

There's still time to convince President Obama to reverse course, if we can show the White House that the people who fought for Obama's reelection do not want him to cut to Social Security. 

You can help by adding your picture to the "Obama: Don't Cut Social Security" photo petition. It's really easy, and we guarantee that members of the White House staff will see these photos. 

Click here to add your photo to the "Obama: Don't Cut Social Security" photo petition.

But for a this project to be successful, we really need everyone to pitch in so it's clear to President Obama and the media how Obama supporters feel about this.

Thanks for all you do.

Anna, Jessica, Eric, Wes, and the rest of the team

P.S. If you have an Obama T-shirt, sign, or any other gear from the campaign, be sure to include it in your photo.

Want to support our work? MoveOn Civic Action is entirely funded by our 7 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.


This email was sent to eddie alfaro on April 6, 2013. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Friday, April 5, 2013

Terrible news

According to reports, President Obama is planning $112 billion in Social Security cuts as part of the budget he's announcing next week. There's still time for him to reverse course—but we'll have to push back hard. Can you chip in $5 to help launch a rapid-response campaign to convince President Obama not to cut Social Security?

Chip in $5

Dear MoveOn member,

We've just gotten some really bad news—and need your help to respond.

According to multiple reports, President Obama is planning to propose Social Security cuts of $112 billion over the next decade when he unveils his budget next week.1

Politically, this is a terrible idea. Social Security is such a popular and successful program that even Republicans didn't touch it in their budget.2

And as a policy matter it's even worse. Social Security doesn't add one dime to the debt, and according to the AARP, a typical 80-year-old woman will lose the equivalent of three months worth of food annually under this plan.3

There's still time for President Obama to reverse course and stop supporting these cuts, but that's unlikely to happen unless progressives push back in a big way. We're aiming to raise $200,000 to launch a rapid-response campaign to convince President Obama not to support cutting Social Security. Can you chip in $5?

Yes. I'll chip in $5 to help convince President Obama not to support Social Security benefit cuts.

President Obama knows he can't move forward on his second-term agenda without strong support from the progressive base. So if MoveOn members are vocal in opposing this plan, we have a real chance to change his thinking.

And because House Republicans didn't propose cutting Social Security in their budget, it would likely take cuts off the table for the year if President Obama didn't propose them.

If we have to fight the president on this, we will. But it's going to be a battle. Here's what we have in mind:

  • We'll make a major public media announcement to draw attention to the fact that progressives are prepared to split with the president over Social Security cuts.
  • We'll help elevate a video ad campaign from Clinton economic adviser Robert Reich.
  • We'll run a massive online advertising blast in Washington, D.C., that'll get noticed by members of Congress and the administration itself.
  • We'll launch a campaign to flood the White House with phone calls.
  • We'll make sure that champions of Social Security in Congress know we have their backs by publicly thanking them and organizing thank-you events in their districts.

MoveOn members overwhelmingly oppose cutting Social Security benefits, but it's never easy to go up against a president we all worked so hard to elect. So please chip in today so we'll know we have the resources to go big: 

Yes. I'll chip in $5 to help convince President Obama not to support Social Security benefit cuts.

Thanks so much for your help. 

–Anna, Manny, Angie, Matt, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. "Obama Budget Said to Include Earlier Debt Reduction Offer," Bloomberg, April 4, 2014
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=288722&id=65434-10220574-eaBb6Zx&t=4

2. "Paul Ryan's Budget, Simplified: Save the Rich, Spare the Old, Forget the Poor," The Atlantic, March 12, 2013
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=288723&id=65434-10220574-eaBb6Zx&t=5

3. "AARP to Congress and the President: Don't Cut Social Security," AARP, December 18, 2012
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=285712&id=65434-10220574-eaBb6Zx&t=6

Want to support our work? MoveOn Civic Action is entirely funded by our 7 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.


This email was sent to eddie alfaro on April 5, 2013. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

One minute for marriage equality?

Will you share this graphic on Facebook with all your friends who live in these senators' states?

Click to share the graphic

Click here to share!
Dear MoveOn member,

The Supreme Court is getting ready to vote on the fate of two monumental marriage equality laws—California's discriminatory Proposition 8 and the Defense of Marriage Act—and possibly rule on same-sex marriage across the country.

As the Justices look around the country to get a sense of whether the country is ready to embrace marriage equality, right now they'd see seven Senate Democrats who have yet to come out in support of marriage equality. 

Every senator who publicly supports equality makes it easier for the Supreme Court to do the same—so MoveOn members and our allies have been doing everything we can to pressure these seven holdouts to support equal rights.

And it's working. Last week, the number of Senate Democratic holdouts was nine—and just in the past 48 hours, thanks to pressure from thousands of MoveOn members and our allies, Pennsylvania Senator Robert Casey and Delaware Senator Tom Carper switched their positions and came out in support of marriage equality.1 We've got momentum on our side. 2 down, 7 to go.

But with all the news recently, many voters in these seven states may not know that their senator has so far failed to join the 50 senators who support marriage equality. We need to spread the word right now—so that these senators hear that their constituents are counting on them to come out in support of marriage equality.

Can you urge your friends and family who live in these seven states to call their senators by posting this graphic on your Facebook page and then sharing it with them as well?  

Click here to share the graphic.

Let's be clear—marriage equality laws are NOT inevitable—but they are possible if we all work for it. We got to this moment through decades of hard work and courageous action by so many people—and we finally have a chance to make equality a reality.

Thanks for all you do.

–Susannah, Angie, Ilya, Mark, and the rest of the team

P.S. Not on Facebook? That's ok—just forward this email to your friends. Here are the key senators that are still holding out, and the numbers to call:

Sen. Joe Donnelly (IN)—(317) 226-5555

Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (ND)—(701) 258-4648

Sen. Tim Johnson (SD)—(605) 332-8896

Sen. Mary Landrieu (LA)—(225) 389-0395

Sen. Joe Manchin (WV)—(304) 342-5855

Sen. Bil Nelson (FL)—(850) 942-8415

Sen. Mark Pryor (AR)—(501) 324-6336

Source:

1. "Democrats Yet To Endorse Gay Marriage Now Targeted By MoveOn.org Petition," Huffington Post, April 2, 2013
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=288671&id=65331-10220574-l8VVotx&t=5

Want to support our work? MoveOn Civic Action is entirely funded by our 7 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.


This email was sent to eddie alfaro on April 3, 2013. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.