I think this is very good and very important. There needs to be pressure from the left, from labor, from the base of the Democratic Party on these negotiations. Remember, we win if there is no deal because all the tax cuts expire.
With President Obama seeking a deal to avoid the “fiscal cliff,” liberal groups that campaigned aggressively for his reelection are mobilizing to oppose concessions they fear he could make on Medicare and Social Security.
Leaders of the nation’s labor unions and other liberal groups are planning Tuesday to press Obama at the White House to reject the kind of cuts in Medicare and Social Security that he has previously offered to make. On Thursday, left-leaning lawmakers and seniors groups plan to rally on Capitol Hill against any changes to entitlements.
Republicans are demanding entitlement changes as part of any deal to reduce the federal deficit.
WaPo: Liberal groups mobilize for ‘fiscal cliff’ fight over Social Security, Medicare
The defict noises from Republicans are phony. They can let the sequester happen and get cuts, but actually ran against the sequester because it includes defense cuts. Their real aim is to destroy social security and medicare.
I support President Obama and think he generally has our best interests at heart. But he needs presure from the left to counterbalance the tradmed bias for calling Republican plans to screw Americans "necessary" and "serious."
Here's an example:
In the negotiations, Obama may have to decide whether he is willing to break with his liberal allies in pursuit of a bipartisan agreement aimed at avoiding the year-end fiscal cliff — $500 billion in automatic tax hikes and spending cuts that many economists say could plunge the nation into recession.
WaPo: Liberal groups mobilize for ‘fiscal cliff’ fight over Social Security, Medicare
Yet cuts to medicare and social security of the same amounts won't? Bullshit.
A strong movement by labor and the left strengthens the President. Let's strengthen President Obama by protecting Social Security and Medicare (and Obamacare and Medicaid also!)
“We will make it very clear we will not be supportive of cuts to Medicare and Social Security,” said Sen. Bernard Sanders (Vt.), an independent who caucuses with the Democrats.
WaPo: Liberal groups mobilize for ‘fiscal cliff’ fight over Social Security, Medicare
Update I: From the AFL-CIO:
Some legislators and their friends on Wall Street are set on reaching a “grand bargain” during the post-election "lame duck" session of Congress that would cut the benefits that we and our children will depend on. They want to raise the retirement age for Social Security and Medicare, cut our Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA)and cut Medicaid, which could force families into bankruptcy when a loved one needs long-term care.
Watch the video in the post, "Tell Congress: No Benefit Cuts to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid," then sign this petition to tell Congress why Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid are important to you.
What should Congress do? The most important two things are:
1. Congress should let the Bush tax cuts expire for the wealthiest 2% of Americans.
2. Congress must make no cuts to Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid benefits.
Sign the petition: www.aflcio.org/ProtectOurFuture.
Share your story why Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid are important to you
You can find the link for the petition here on the AFL-CIO blog.
Update II: Going into the meetings, AFL-CIO leader Richard Trumka is optimistic that President Obama will be strong on these issues:
good news! trumka optimistic (1+ / 0-)
Recommended by:TomP
http://www.salon.com/....
Asked if he’s confident Obama would hold the line against cutting social insurance or extending all of the Bush tax cuts, Trumka answered, “I think so. He’s been pretty clear about that.”
Please don't dominate the rap, Jack, if you got nothin' new to say - Grateful Dead
by Cedwyn on Tue Nov 13, 2012 at 11:09:41 AM CST
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While there is plenty of nuance in this, I think it is very important to provide pressure on these issues while being an ally of the President and work with the President to pressure Republicans. We need a strong movement on our side. I truly believe this helps the President, even if some of the pressure is directed toward him (respectfully) and it helps all those who deeply care about these issues.