THE NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY & MEDICARE
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August 1, 2011

NEWS RELEASE

The Good, Bad and Ugly of the Debt Deal

Reaction from Max Richtman, National Committee to Preserve
Social Security and Medicare Executive VP/Acting CEO

"America's seniors have been terrified by threats that their life-sustaining Social Security checks wouldn't be delivered this month if the federal government were to default. So there is some good news in this debt deal if it passes; default will not deny millions of American seniors the benefits they've earned. However, that's small consolation because it never should have come to this in the first place.

For too long, middle-class Americans and their families have been held hostage while anti-tax crusaders threaten American default unless vital programs, like Social Security and Medicare, are slashed.  Unfortunately under this debt deal, those programs will still be under attack - this time by a newly-created 'Super Committee' of just 12 members of Congress tasked to cut programs by $1.5 trillion dollars.  This committee plan will be fast-tracked to force it through Congress with no amendments allowed and little time for debate. 

Americans of all ages and political persuasions know that Social Security and Medicare have not caused this economic crisis and do not support cutting these programs to pay down the debt.  Yet, Washington continues to use these vital programs, and the Americans they serve, as bargaining chips in a quest to balance the budget on the backs of working class Americans and their families. 

Our work is clearly cut out for us. The House Speaker has said he will appoint only "Super Committee" members opposed to revenue increases.  Leaving the debate right where we started...100% benefit cuts and 0% revenue...except this time, the proposal will bypass the normal Congressional process.  That makes it even easier to force middle-class benefit cuts to pay for billionaire tax breaks and corporate loopholes.  This is no way to run a country. And the over 3 million members and supporters of the National Committee will continue to deliver that message loud and clear, focusing our efforts on this Super Committee as well as the rest of Congress and the White House." Max Richtman , Executive Vice President/Acting CEO

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