Here Comes Privatization

Get Ready: Social Security Privatization Push is Coming in September

When Congress returns from its recess in September, watch out.

Social Security privatization is going to come up fast, with the House Ways and Means Committee taking up a bill (H.R. 3304) by Rep. Jim McCrery (R-La.). Privatization fans are trying to pass it off as a new idea to stop Congress from raiding Social Security. But in reality, the McCrery bill is the first step toward President Bush’s plan to privatize and ruin Social Security. It’s privatization with a new coat of paint—but we can see through it.

Please send the following message to urge your members of Congress to reject H.R. 3304 and Social Security privatization in ANY form.

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: Oppose H.R. 3304 and Any Form of Social Security Privatization

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

I strongly urge you to oppose Social Security privatization in any form it may take--including Rep. Jim McCrery's H.R. 3304.

There is nothing new in H.R. 3304. It will not save Social Security from congressional raids, as proponents claim--you and your colleagues don't need a special law to do that. But H.R. 3304 is the first step toward privatizing Social Security and its effects are the same. The bill would create private accounts, cut guaranteed benefits and increase the national debt--while doing nothing to stop raids on the Social Security surplus or to keep Social Security solvent.

Working families rely on Social Security's guaranteed benefits. And we rely on you to protect them.

The 70th anniversary of Social Security is Aug. 14. I hope I can count on you to strengthen Social Security for the next 70 years rather than ruining it with privatization.

This is an extremely important issue to me and to millions of America's workers. I urge you to take our side and oppose H.R. 3304 and any form Social Security privatization may take.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
August 10, 2005


Background Information

Rep. Jim McCrery (R-La.) has introduced a bill (H.R. 3304) that privatization proponents are trying to pass off as a new idea to stop the “raiding” of Social Security by Congress. That’s baloney: The McCrery bill is the first step toward President Bush’s plan to privatize and ruin Social Security—nothing more.

When Congress comes back from vacation in September, the push for private accounts will begin quickly with the House Ways and Means Committee taking up the McCrery measure. The bill creates private accounts, cuts guaranteed benefits and increases the national debt. And it does nothing to stop the raids on the Social Security surplus or keep the program solvent.

Our members of Congress need to STRENGTHEN Social Security—America’s most successful family security program—not privatize it.

Privatization plans would replace guaranteed benefits with risky private accounts, fatally undermining Social Security, cutting benefits drastically, probably raising workers’ retirement age and saddling our children with massive new debt.

Now is the time to send a loud and clear message: No Social Security privatization, no way.