Dec 27, 2012
Boehner has called for a special session Sunday to discuss and vote on cuts to Social Security. President Obama supports these cuts and Nancy Pelosi endorsed the cuts. This is not the way to balance the "fiscal cliff." Those of us who are Democrats did not vote for our Democratic candidate, president Obama to suddenly act like a Republican. Had I wanted a Republican who would have voted for cuts to Social Security, Medicare, and social programs, I would have voted for Romney. President Obama ran on a platform that would protect the middle class and tax the wealthy. These proposed cuts would definitely harm the middle class and represent an about switch. To those of us who are educators, who worked in the private sector and then became teachers, these cuts would be devastating.
I got an email from Change.org which asked me to go to Congressman Henry Waxman's office in Los Angeles Thursday, December 27th and I did. I went to Waxman's office to tell him I do not want cuts to Social Security. He represents the 30th District.
His office is at 8436 Third Street 6th floor. L A 90048. It is east of the Beverly Center and across from the Beverly Connection. It is a "The Director's Guild" building .For those of you in the 30th District, you can go in person today or call and leave a message. His phone # is 310-651-1040 Fax 323-655-0502
Let Congress Waxman know you do not want cuts to Social Security. These cuts would be horrendous to the middle class. My experience yesterday is as follows.
I was buzzed in and spoke to his assistant who sat at the receptionist's desk. He did not know that Change.org had sent a missive asking people to drop by or call. I asked if I could leave a written message. I wrote a note stating I had voted for Obama as a Democrat and had I wanted cuts to Social Security, I would have voted Republican. It is not acceptable for Obama and Pelosi to even consider cuts to Social Security. These cuts would be so harmful to the middle class. And, it is not what Obama ran under. His plan was to tax the wealthy. These proposed cuts are not the way to balance the “fiscal cliff.”
I wrote Congressman Waxman I would not support or give my vote to Democrats who would support any cuts to Social Security. None.
I explained I am a teacher, a substitute teacher with Los Angeles Unfied School District and as such, since I worked for years in the private sector and had paid into Social Security, and then went into public education, I would subject to an offset of my meager Social Security. For Obama to even entertain and idea of cuts to Social Security was not a consideration.
There are thousands of educators, who held jobs in the private sector and put into Social Security for years, who would have their Social Security offset by CAL STRS. That is bad enough. To add further cuts was unacceptable.
Nancy Pelosi endorsed these cuts. This should not be an option if she wants to be re-elected, or for any Democrat if they want to be re-elected.
I left my message and was told it would be given to him before the meeting convened this Sunday. As I left Congressman Waxman's office and started to walk to the elevator, I saw him enter his office through the back door. I went back and rang the bell. I got buzzed back into his waiting room. I asked to speak to him in person and my request was granted. I met his wife first and told her while I had written my thoughts, I wanted to express them in person.
Congressman Waxman came out and we shook hands. He assured me he did not support cuts to Social Security. That was his goal. I explained how teachers, who had jobs in the private sector and who had paid into Social Security were affected by the offset. Thousands of educators and others who held private sector jobs and then moved into public sector jobs are affected. Waxman knew about these offsets to Social Security and said his second goal was to get rid of the offset.
Bill Lambert, who was our champion at United Teachers of Los Angeles, for years had tired to fight against the Social Security offset. I told Waxman I did not think we would succeed in getting rid of the offset. But, I proposed a "ceiling"and a sliding scale. If one earned under a certain amount, no offset. Those earning over, would be subject to the offset as per the sliding scale. I feel this "ceiling" and sliding could work and pass. I will do what I can to work on getting this idea into manifestation.
To my knowledge. no one has proposed such a "ceiling". If I were in Congress, I would draft such a bill. There must be someone to lobby for this. In any event, I passed my idea on to Congressman Waxman.
I ask you, who are reading this, if you are in the 30th District, to go to his office today or call and let his assistant take your name and say you do not want cuts to Social Security. Be sure to give your name and tell Congressman Waxman to bring this to Washington. The special session is set for this Sunday.
If Congressman Waxman is not your representative, contact your representative. Google his/her name. You can still let Nancy Pelosi know not to go through with these proposed cuts.
It is imperative your voice be heard and added to those who do not want cuts to Social Security.
Congressman Waxman's Washington D C office is:
U S HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
2204 Rayburn Building
Washington D C 20515
202-225-3976 Fax 202-225-4099
Go to his local office or call either office or fax or email. Their fax numbers are on their sites.
Congressman Waxman's website is:
www.waxman.house.gov THERE IS A FORM TO EMAIL ON HIS SITE. EMAIL HIM.
Nancy Pelosi's address is:
235 Cannon H.O.B Washington, D C 20515
Phone # 202-225-4965
Her web site is:
www.pelosi.house.gov THERE IS A FORM TO EMAIL PELOSI ON HER SITE. EMAIL HER
Let Nancy Pelosi know you will not vote for her in the future if she continues with supporting, or endorsing the cuts to Social Security.
It is your future. It is your retirement that is at stake. Let your voice be heard now.
Audrey Linden
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