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National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare
http://ncpssm.org/

OWL/Gray Panthers Meeting on Social Security and Medicare. Speakers, Chris Flores, Congresswoman Doris Matsui's Office; John Joseph, AARP; HICAP (Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program); Margie Metzler, National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare (sound only). mp3 file

Super Committee Rapid Response Team: Training: Sept. 18-21, 2011

 Western Region: Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Arizona

OR… to call any representative (Matsui, McClintock, Lungren) or Senator (Feinstein, Boxer) Call your Members of Congress : (877) 762-8762 (toll free – ask for your Representative!

Members:

Rapid Response Overview

Margie Metzler

October 11, 2011


Download this as a Word document  PDF file

I attended a three-day training presented in the their Washington DC offices by the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare ( www.ncpssm.org ). In a joint effort with www.strengthensocialsecurity.org (formerly Social Security-Works) along with many other organizations, top presenters hired from outside as well as their combined staffs gave about 15 of us volunteers a combination of PowerPoint presentations, hands-on workshops, and policy briefings.
We are now part of a Rapid Response Team, engaged in a crash 90 day effort to influence the 12 member Super Committee. Below is an overview of the Super Committee, the people on it, and the upcoming dates, from http://www.strengthensocialsecurity.org/super-committee/ :

Debt-ceiling legislation recently signed into law created a powerful joint committee of Congress known as the “Super Committee.” This bipartisan committee of 12 lawmakers is charged with proposing legislation that reduces federal deficits by at least $1.5 trillion over the next ten years. The committee's recommendations will receive an up-or-down vote without amendment in each chamber, and without being subject to the Senate filibuster.

Many reports indicate that they will be looking to cut Social Security, even though   Social Security does not contribute a penny to the deficit --and by law cannot contribute to the deficit. Medicare and Medicaid also could be on the chopping block.

  • Aug. 16: Congressional Leadership must appoint all members of Super Committee
  • Sept.16: Super Committee must have first meeting
  • Oct. 14: Legislative committees and president make recommendations to Super Committee
  • Nov. 23: Super Committee must vote on plan--if approved, it goes to Congress
  • Dec. 23: Super Committee plan must pass both chambers to avoid trigger

You can click each members' name to   see where they stand on Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. : http://strengthensocialsecurity.org/where-the-super-committee-members-stand-on-social-security-medicare-and-medicaid
Table :  Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid's Importance in Super Committee Members' States and Congressional Districts http://strengthensocialsecurity.org/social-security-medicare-and-medicaids-importance-in-super-committee-members-states-and-congressiona

MEMBER

REPUBLICAN

DEMOCRAT

HOUSE

Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R-Texas)
Rep. Dave Camp (R-Michigan)
Rep. Fred Upton (R-Michigan) 

Rep. Xavier Beccera (D-California)
Rep. James Clyburn (D-South Carolina)
Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Maryland)

SENATE

Sen. John Kyl (R-Arizona)
Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio)
Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pennsylvania)

Sen. Patty Murray (D-Washington)
Sen. Max Baucus (D-Montana)
Sen. John Kerry (D-Massachusetts)

Fact sheets about the Super Committee

Fact Sheet:  How the Debt Ceiling Deal Affects Social Security . http://strengthensocialsecurity.org/sites/default/files/SSSCHowtheDebtCeilingDealAffectsSocialSecurityFINAL.pdf

Fact Sheet:   “Super Committee” Created to Develop Deficit-Reduction Plan Should Exempt Social Security from Cuts http://strengthensocialsecurity.org/sites/default/files/SSSCHowtheDebtCeilingDealAffectsSocialSecurityFINAL.pdf

Table :   Social Security and Medicare's Importance in Super Committee Members' States and Congressional Districts http://strengthensocialsecurity.org/social-security-medicare-and-medicaids-importance-in-super-committee-members-states-and-congressiona

Blog:  Social Security's Biggest Threat: The Debt Deal Super Committee  by Russ Feingold. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/russ-feingold/social-securitys-biggest_b_917419.html

Strengthen Social Security Campaign Letter Urging Super Committee to Oppose Chained CPI COLA Cut http://socialsecurity-works.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/SSSCltrSenateSupercommittee10-11-11FINAL.pdf

Letter to Harry Reid from Strengthen Social Security Campaign about Super Committee Appointments http://strengthensocialsecurity.org/sites/default/files/SSSCReidLetterSuperCommitteeFINAL.pdf

Letter to Nancy Pelosi from Strengthen Social Security Campaign about Super Committee Appointments http://strengthensocialsecurity.org/sites/default/files/SSSCPelosiLetterSuperCommitteeFINAL.pdf

  The New 'Super Committee ': The plan creates a new Joint Committee of 12 Members of Congress, divided evenly between the House and Senate and each political party. This "Super Committee" will have until November 23, 2011 to produce a plan reducing the deficit by at least $1.2-$1.5 trillion. It only takes 7 out of the 12 Members to approve any plan - which will then be 'fast-tracked' through Congress by the end of this year with limited debate, a simple majority to pass and no amendments allowed . No programs are protected from the reach of this Super Committee, and numerous Members of Congress have made it clear they expect most of the deficit reduction to come from 'entitlement reform' - which is code for cuts in Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid .

More Domestic Spending Cuts : As a way of putting pressure on Congress to approve the Super Committee's proposal, the agreement includes a 'penalty' for inaction. The penalty takes the form of a second round of automatic spending cuts to discretionary programs (which include, for example, total of $1.2 trillion over the next decade. This second round of cuts is also intended to be split evenly between domestic and security programs, and exempts Social Security, and low-income programs such as Medicaid. Medicare cuts are limited to 2% in lower provider reimbursements - Medicare benefits that go directly to seniors are protected.

Revenues : Raising revenue is not included in the first round of cuts, nor is it included in the automatic cuts that would result if the Super Committee is not successful in producing a deficit reduction plan that is signed into law. Although increased revenue could be part of the Super Committee's recommendations, Republican Congressional Leaders have made it clear they only intend to appoint Members to the Super Committee who oppose tax increases, even to close tax loopholes or to require the extremely wealthy to contribute to deficit reduction. If they are successful in imposing this limit, just as they were successful in keeping revenue out of any of the spending cuts in the debt limit plan, all of our Nation's deficit reduction will come at the expense of the poor and middle-income Americans. Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid will see deep cuts, not just for future beneficiaries but also for today's seniors.

What can we do?

It's clear that advocacy by individual seniors and our advocacy groups made a difference in protecting Social Security, Medicaid and Medicare beneficiaries from short-term and automatic cuts. However, much work remains in the weeks ahead, when we must:

  • Convince the Super Committee not to propose cuts in Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and discretionary spending programs that are important to vulnerable older adults.
  • Press the Super Committee to include increased revenue for deficit reduction from those who can most easily afford it
  • Results of several polls are now indicating that voters are really angry and frightened by the current moves to destroy all our New Deal safety net programs. They are expressing willingness to punish such efforts at the polling booth. (See below for more details.)

Here are some general poll results:

  • Obama Job Performance – Positive 35%, negative 63%.
  • Dems in Congress Job Performance – Positive 19%, negative 75%.
  • Republicans in Congress Job Performance – Positive 10%, negative 83%.
  • Wrong Track 65%, Right Track 21%.

Our experts indicate that the President and Democrats Can Win While Losing Seniors by 8% -- Not by 21% (as in 2010). All of this data indicates that seniors are a Key Swing Vote

Watch this video from the Committee: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xls8DN4O7aQideo : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xls8DN4O7aQ

New Celinda Lake Poll

Voters United Against Cutting Social Security & Medicare

By NCPSSM   | September 27, 2011

New National Poll Shows Massive Washington Disconnect with Main Street America On Deficit Reduction Options

New national polling conducted by a Democratic/GOP research partnership shows Republicans, Democrats and Independents outside official Washington share unprecedented unity in their views on deficit reduction.  By huge margins, Americans across all ages do not support cutting Social Security and Medicare to reduce the deficit. Even in this polarized political climate, no other single issue garners such broad unanimity across all   party lines.

“This poll shows what bi-partisanship really means. When you step outside Washington, D.C. and talk to average Americans of all political parties including self-identified fiscal conservatives—the answer is the same–Do Not Cut Social Security & Medicare to reduce the deficit.  Americans understand the real-life impacts of the cuts being promoted and they don't believe cutting these vital programs shows fiscal responsibility.  That is true bi-partisanship that Congress ignores at its own peril.”  Max Richtman, President/CEO, the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare

Some of the poll highlights include:

  • Opposition to cutting Social Security & Medicare is strong across party lines with 82% of Democrats, 73% of Independents and 58% of Republicans against cuts to reduce the deficit
  • A wide margin of all Americans, 94% of Democrats, 82% of Independents and 64% of Republicans, would prefer to raise taxes on the wealthy than cut Social Security and Medicare.
  • By a 3 -1 margin, self-identified “fiscal conservatives” of both parties oppose cutting Social Security benefits to reduce the deficit and by a 2 ½ -1 to one margin, fiscally conservative voters oppose cutting Medicare benefits to reduce the deficit.

 

Lungren event Oct. 18

Two people who may be critical in California are Dan Lungren and Javier Becerra. Becerra is committed to our programs but we ned to give him continual thanks and encouragement. Lungren's power lies in his lifetime of hostility to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, his influence in his caucus, and his outspoken, consistent and destructive attitudes.

I have been assigned to follow Congressman Lungren, which is terrific since I have already been doing so. His district has changed due to redistricting, and he has a viable candidate running against him.

The next event we have is an event on Oct. 18 in Galt. Of course it is not a political effort but rather an effort to bring attention to his views and our unhappiness with votes that would destroy our programs and rip away programs that have saved the lives of the most vulnerable of us for many years.

This is the message that went out to all ncpssm members who live near Sacramento. 

  Please show up....   Seniors especially can make all the difference with the Supercommittee and in the 2010 election. RSVP to me at   916-921-5008 , cell 916-248-6148, or email margiemetz@hotmail.com

 

 

Hands Off, No Cuts to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid!!

ATTEND
Representative Dan Lungren's Town Hall Meeting

Tuesday, October 18th
7pm – 8:30pm  

Littleton Community Center
420 Civic Drive
Galt, CA  95632  

Join National Committee members and others at Representative Dan Lungren's Town Hall Meeting, Tuesday, October 18, 2011, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM, Littleton Community Center, 420 Civic Drive, Galt, CA 95632.  

Social Security and Medicare are commitments made to all Americans that have withstood the test of time. They represent the best of American values—rewarding hard work, honoring our parents and caring for our neighbor. We need to send the message to Representative Lungren that the large majority of American citizens want Congress to keep their   Hands Off, No Cuts to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid .  

If you plan to attend, please   RSVP , via email at   johnsonka@ncpssm.org   or telephone   (800) 998-0181   and   ask for Katie Johnson .  

Thank you for your support of our efforts to assure the well-being of seniors and future generations of retirees.

Katie M. Johnson
Grassroots Manager

 

WE NEED A LOT OF PEOPLE to SHOW UP WHO ARE WILLING TO CONFRONT LUNGREN ON HIS OWN TURF. A large turnout MAY convince him that his stand could imperil his political future. It will also let the others at the event know that we are serious and that his stand can imperil them.

 

Documents:

New documents

OWL Sacramento Resolution Word PDF
Sac. Dem. Central Committee Resolution Word PDF
Lungren Flyer Oct 18 event Word PDF
Contact Supercommittee and Electeds Word PDF

From our training

9 Reporting Structure pptx
ncpssm -- about the committee docx
How the debt ceiling affects SS PDF
“Super Committee” Created to Develop Deficit-Reduction Plan Should Exempt Social Security from Cuts PDF
Alliances/coalitions docx
Strengthen Social Security campaign members docx
SSSC Field Contact List xlsx xls2003
SSSC Overview of SSS Campaign docx
Holding Members of Congress Accountable Through Tracking docx
Organizing Rapid Response, Town Hall Meetings and Free Standing Events pptx
NCPSSM Legislative Priority List xlsx
Campaign Messaging pptx
NCPSSM Town Meetings doc
Theory of Issue Campaigns pptx
Training Policy Material (pdf--15 pages of great handouts)
Field Plan pptx (has some Lungren Townhall shots) outstanding!
Political Context pptx (don't miss!)
ncpssm target list xls 2007 xls 2003

Webinar, Oct. 4: Weighing in with your Members of Congress on the Super Committee Negotiations
Tuesday, October 4, 2011 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM PDT

Thank you to those who joined last night's Telephone Briefing on the state of the Super Committee negotiations and how together we can send a clear message to Congress that Americans want "Jobs Not Cuts."

Here are a few materials that can help as you reach out to Members of Congress over the coming weeks:
The PowerPoint presentation from last night's call
Field memo with important tips and suggestions for action
A sample letter to your Member of Congress
Report on Wall Street's campaign contributions & lobbying to Super Committee Members

Joint Super Committee Planning Team
Alliance for a Just Society
Campaign for Community Change
Caring Across Generations
Community Catalyst
HCAN
National Domestic Workers Alliance
National People’s Action
PICO National Network
SEIU
The New Bottom Line

Presentation outline/handout, Oct. 12, 2011

,

Lungren Event Oct. 18

Please show up.... Seniors especially can make all the difference with the Supercommittee and in the 2010 election. I'd like you to RSVP to me at 916-921-5008 or cell 916-248-6148 or email margiemetz@hotmail.com

Hands Off, No Cuts to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid!!

ATTEND Representative Dan Lungren's Town Hall Meeting

Tuesday, October 18th 7pm - 8:30pm

Littleton Community Center

420 Civic Drive Galt, CA 95632

Join National Committee members and others at Representative Dan Lungren's Town Hall Meeting,

Tuesday, October 18, 2011,

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM,

Littleton Community Center, 420 Civic Drive,

Galt, CA 95632.

Social Security and Medicare are commitments made to all Americans that have withstood the test of time. They represent the best of American values-rewarding hard work, honoring our parents and caring for our neighbor.

We need to send the message to Representative Lungren that the large majority of American citizens want Congress to keep their Hands Off, No Cuts to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.

 

Questions, comments or suggestions?  Please contact me at
margiemetz@hotmail.com