Bush’s Commission on Social Security issued its first report on July 19, 2001. The commission calls for sweeping changes to Social Security. The Commission Co-Chairman declares “The System is Broken”. The commission’s report goes on to suggest that privatizing Social Security is the only way to save Social Security.

FACT vs. FICTION

Fact: Social Security is 100% solvent to the year 2038.
Fact: After 2038, even without any changes there is enough money in Social Security to pay 75% of all benefits.
Fact: Privatizing Social Security will require up to a 54% reduction in benefits.
Fact: Every proposal that has called for the privatization of Social Security raises the eligibility age to 70 or older.
Fact: Every member on the Bush’s commission prior to their appointment was on record in support of privatizing Social Security.
Fact: Between March 2000 and April 2001, the S&P 500 (stock market ) dropped 28%.

Don’t Throw the Baby Out With The Bath Water!

Social Security isn’t broken but needs minor adjustments. If the payroll tax was increased by 1%
OR
If individuals paid payroll tax above the present cap of $80,400
AND
By using the savings from paying off the national debt to supplement Social Security
AND
If the Federal government was allowed to invest Social Security revenues in ways that State pension systems can,

Then Social Security will have sufficient funds for generations to come!

WHY PEOPLE?

PEOPLE (Public Employees Organized to Promote Legislative Equality) is our federal political action program. PEOPLE is your voice in Washington D.C.
We fight for better wages, job security, safe workplaces, health care, social security and making sure we get our fair share of the federal budget for programs for our members. JOIN PEOPLE TODAY!
Call the Political Action Department at 1-800-342-4146 ext 1404 for more information.

Federal Legislative Update

Patients’ Bill Of Rights

The Republican House Leadership has introduced a patients’ bill of rights, H.R. 2315, which would exclude most public employees from any federal protections. CSEA and AFSCME are actively opposing this bill.
Meanwhile, CSEA/AFSCME is supporting and working hard towards the passage of H.R. 2563, a bipartisan patients’ rights legislation, sponsored by Representatives John Dingell (D-MI) and Charles Norwood (R-Ga) that contains strong consumer protections and whistle-blower language to protect healthcare professionals.

Charitable Choice

The House of Representatives voted 233-198 to approve H.R. 7, President Bush’s "faith based initiative". The entire NY Republican delegation voted for H.R. 7. No NY Democrat supported the bill.
H.R. 7 will permit discrimination in federal funding programs for the first time in over 60 years. The bill allows religious organizations to receive funding for social services directly. H.R. 7 will allow religious organizations to deny employment to individuals of different faiths and a different set of beliefs.
H.R. 7 also creates a program in which individuals can receive a voucher to go anywhere they want to receive social services. This would divert money from public and nonprofit agencies that could trigger cuts in personnel in both public and nonprofit agencies.
The good news is that Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD) said that it is highly unlikely the House version will pass the Senate without significant changes.