I just spoke with Julie at Social Security

[Us vs Them]

In response to the letter sent out by MoveOn.org, I decided to sustain my life for the ten minutes I was on hold with the Social Security office.

Documents obtained by The New York Times show that Bush's plan is to insert "propaganda" into Social Security publications -- using the apparatus of this huge government agency -- and the trust millions place in it -- to sell their privatization scheme that would cut Social Security benefits.

We need your help to make it clear that the Social Security Administration is not another propaganda tool of the White House. Please take one minute to send a message. Call the Social Security Administration at the number below. Tell them you oppose Social Security privatization and you expect them to deliver straight facts -- not White House spin -- to the American people.

Call: 1-800-772-1213

After the greeting, dial 1 for English or 2 for Spanish.
Then press 3.
Then press 0 to speak to a representative.

She may have given me a stock answer at first, but the tone in her voice told me that Julie understood the severity of the situation, and that this was not the first call she had received on the matter.

I reiterated the fact that we were living in dangerous times, and that many people's lives could be effected, especially her own. After all, she does work directly for Social Security.

When all was said and done, it was a very friendly conversation, and I think I may have made a friend on the inside!

Keep up the good fight.

[Sydnie]

1. Cool idea!

I will save this and make that call tomorrow myself! Thanks.

[Diane R]

2. I called, too.

While I was on hold, I could tell that the administration had already put their dirty deeds into action. The messages that played in the background spoke about how we needed to make changes to Social Security right away.

The woman I spoke with also seemed grateful for my message. And, although she didn't say, her tone of voice told me she agreed. She said she would pass my message on. I was disappointed to hear that I was the first person who she had spoken to that was delivering the MoveOn message; I had hoped that a lot more people would call.

All in all, it really did take less than 10 minutes of my time. Just figure that it is a small price to pay for hopefully having Social Security available when people need it.

[Us vs Them]

3. Thanks for your call

I'm glad to hear other reports of friendly candor. The tone of MoveOn's letter gave me the impression we should be demanding things - on the contrary, I think just friendly prodding will be enough for the phone operators. I was surprised how far it got me.

[blondeatlast]

4. Keep this kicked for tomorrow, many of us in the West are

just getting to our e-mails.

This is CRUCIAL.

:kick:

[KoKo]

5. Keep it kicked OVER NIGHT...Kick

:kick:

[Generic Other]

6. I just got my letter and it really made me mad

Thanks for the number. I will call first thing in the morning.

That letter did nothing to make me feel secure.

Let me quote the footnote they added after outlining my projected monthly benefit:

"Your estimated benefits are based on current law. Congress has made changes to the law in the past and can do so at any time. The law governing benefit amounts may change because, by 2042, the payroll taxes collected will be enough to pay only about 73 percent of scheduled benefits."

I will take my althiemer-addled shit to town on anyone who freakin' pulls this crap on me.

[Cha]

7. There is this Organization that I just

joined again..


snip~

“President Bush wants to dismantle Social Security by moving forward with plans for individual investment accounts. This may be an appealing alternative for wealthy citizens who have plenty to live on in retirement but it comes at the expense of ordinary working Americans .”
--Barbara B. Kennelly President of NCPSSM


http://www.ncpssm.org/

[Us vs Them]

8. Kick. n/t