Via Social Security Works – Washington:

During his campaign, then-candidate Obama made his support for Social Security crystal clear:

“I do not want to cut benefits or raise the retirement age. I believe there are a number of ways we can make Social Security solvent that do not involve placing these added burdens on seniors.” Sen. Barack Obama, Op-ed in Quad City Times, Sept. 21, 2007

But it now appears President Obama may actually embrace Social Security cuts in his upcoming State of the Union address. And doing so would spell economic disaster for millions of Americans.

He hasn’t yet decided to embrace these dangerous proposals. It’s up to us to make sure he doesn’t. We must send an urgent message to President Obama: Reject the proposal to slash Social Security benefits offered by the co-chairs of his deficit commission.

Now is the time to encourage the President to use his State of the Union address as an opportunity to reaffirm his support for Social Security, and reiterate his promise not to cut benefits or raise the retirement age. Here’s what you can do:

1. Urge President Obama to reiterate his pledge to protect Social Security and keep his campaign promise not to cut benefits or raise the retirement age in his State of the Union address. (See key points/facts below.)

• Email: http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact

• Phone: (202) 456-1111

2. Urge Senators Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray to request President Obama reaffirm his pledge to protect and defend Social Security during the State of the Union.

• Senator Patty Murray:
  Email: http://murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=ContactMe
  Phone: (202) 224-2621 (DC office);
  (206) 553-5545 (Seattle office)

• Senator Maria Cantwell:
  Email: http://cantwell.senate.gov/contact/
  Phone: 202-224-3441 (DC office);
  206-220-6400 (Seattle office)

Here are some key points to keep in mind when writing (or speaking) to elected officials and/or their aides:

– Social Security is critical to the economic security of Americans of all ages, and is more important now than ever. It has not contributed to the nation’s deficit – in fact, Social Security is projected to run a surplus for the next 27 years.

– Keeping Social Security strong is a key issue for Washington state voters. Cutting Social Security will destroy voters’ trust in those elected to represent them.

– There are many ways to deal with the federal deficit that will benefit the American people and our economy. Cutting Social Security is not one of them, and should not be part of any plan proposed or endorsed by the President.

Important Facts

Washington State | In 2009, Social Security provided benefits to more than 1 million people, living in 25% of Washington households, including:

• 746,000 seniors, with an average retiree benefit of $1,134/month
• 70,000 children

King County | 241,685 beneficiaries in King County, including:

• 181,000 seniors, with an average retiree benefit of $1,263/month
• 13,000 children

City of Seattle | 73,700 beneficiaries in the City of Seattle, including:

• 55,000 seniors, with and average benefit of $1180/month
• 3,725 children

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