On Day 2 of 27 Stop "Checklist for Change" Tour, Cantwell and Local Community Leaders Call for Change in the National Agenda to Protect Social ....
On Day 2 of 27 Stop "Checklist for Change" Tour, Cantwell and Local Community Leaders Call for Change in the National Agenda to Protect Social Security from Privatization
Cantwell's Biodiesel Bus Tour Makes Stops in Vancouver, Longview, Chehalis, Olympia and Auburn - 596 miles in First 2 Days
On Thursday, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell continued her statewide "Checklist for Change" tour with stops in Vancouver, Longview, Chehalis, Olympia and Auburn, where she talked about the need to change the nation's agenda to protect Social Security from Republican attempts to privatize the program. Cantwell is traveling across the state this week on the biodiesel-powered "Cantwell's Checklist for Change" bus, making 27 stops, at least one in every Congressional district. By her stop in Auburn for the evening, Cantwell will have traveled 596 miles of over 2,100 miles on the tour.
"Never has the need for change been more clear than when it comes to protecting the promise of Social Security for Washington's seniors," said Cantwell. "Every American deserves the right to do better for their families and to look forward to a secure retirement in their future. Democrats created Social Security, Democrats have protected Social Security and Democrats will defend Social Security. But instead of doing what's right, instead of putting Washington state first, this administration and the Republican Congress have put themselves and their special interest friends first. I believe that's the wrong choice, and I promise you I will never stop fighting to protect guaranteed Social Security benefits for the millions of seniors who depend on them each month."
All day Thursday, Cantwell and local community leaders will rally with Washingtonians about the importance of protecting Social Security benefits for our seniors. Last week, the president again pledged to privatize Social Security, calling it one of the "big items" he wants to get done next year. The Republican Congressional leadership has repeatedly promised that Social Security privatization will be a top priority in 2007, after this election. McGavick has said he wants to join his fellow Republicans and change Social Security, proposing a system of private accounts. McGavick's privatization plan means benefit cuts for over a million Washington seniors, adding to America's mounting debt and accelerating the insolvency of the Social Security system. That's the consensus of non-partisan sources such as the Congressional Budget Office on proposals that would carve up Social Security into individual accounts. Cantwell believes privatizing Social Security is inconsistent with our Northwest values, and she has vowed to protect Washington seniors from benefit cuts from privatization.
"Social Security is meant to be a safety net for seniors, not a private investment," said David Seabrook, a firefighter with IAFF Local 452 who spoke in Longview. "Senator Cantwell's stood up to the president and Republicans in Congress when they've tried to privatize Social Security before, and she'll do it again. Senator Cantwell is the type of leader we need representing us, standing up for working families and fighting for our values."
The average monthly benefit for a Washingtonian on Social Security is $965, amounting to $11,919 per year. If the Republican privatization plan goes forward, future retirees in Washington state could see their guaranteed monthly benefits drop to $678, or just $8,140 a yeara 78 percent cut when you account for inflation. Cantwell believes that's wrong and has vowed to protect guaranteed benefits for Washington seniors.
"As a mother, I'm concerned about what lies ahead for my daughter's generation," said Carren Senn Walker of Camas, who spoke in Vancouver. "Senator Cantwell understands this concern - she understands the need to invest our future, and to protect Social Security as an economic insurance program, not an individual investment. Senator Cantwell has been a tireless advocate for the people of Washington state over the last six years, and she has earned my vote for re-election."
Cantwell's Checklist for Change calls for a new agenda in Washington, DC to change the course in Iraq; cut health care and prescription drugs costs; protect Social Security from privatization; deliver energy independence with technology and alternative fuels; make college education affordable for everyone; secure our borders and ports; stand up for veterans, military and their families; protect our environment for our children; deliver tax fairness for our state; and put us first, and special interests last.
"Senator Cantwell is fighting for working people, not special interests," said Jeff Davis, President of the Pacific Council of Longshoremen, who spoke at the Longview event. "With energy, education, and health-care costs skyrocketing, and the Republicans wanting to privatize Social Security, it is important that we re-elect Senator Cantwell so she can keep working for us. Special interests are already well-represented in Washington, D.C. - Maria Cantwell is our voice."
In this final week before Election Day, Cantwell is working hard to get out the vote for Democrats up and down the ticket to help change the agenda in Washington, D.C.
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http://www.cantwell.com/news/release/view/?id=210