Bernie Saunders: Mr. President, Keep Your Word-DON'T CUT SOCIAL SECURITY

[kpete]

Run time: 06:30 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OB9GVb-775o   Posted on YouTube: July 12, 2011 By YouTube Member: SenatorSanders Views on YouTube: 301   Posted on DU: July 12, 2011 By DU Member: kpete Views on DU: 1296

 
“If you told the American people you’re not going to cut Social Security, then don’t cut Social Security,” he said in a Senate floor speech. “Keep your word.”

While campaigning for president in September 2008, Obama vowed not to raise the Social Security retirement age or to reduce cost-of-living adjustments.

“The American people are sick and tired of candidates who run for office and say one thing and then, after they are elected, do something very different,” Sanders added.

“So, Mr. President, when you ask why the American people are frustrated with politicians, and are increasingly cynical, it has a lot to do with candidates who say one thing and do another thing.”

http://www.rawstory.com/rawreplay/2011/07/bernie-sanders-to-obama-keep-your-word-not-to-cut-social-security/

[sasha031]

1. thank you so much for posting

Bernie reminds me so much of Senator Kennedy, he is a treasure.

[corpseratemedia]

2. is it me or are the republicans too chicken to take on sanders directly?

they always go for the guys who acquiesce to them

[chill_wind]

3. Oww. Bernie's preachin it!

When all the dust finally settles, IF there are any SS cuts of any kind-- any Congressional Dem "absolutely necessary lesser of two evil compromises" (ie) SS COLA "technical adjustments".. it won't he because he didn't try.

[EVDebs]

4. Sen Bernie Sanders should run in the primaries...and FORCE Obama to become a progressive.

We need to force Obama to be the FDR president we thought we were voting for.

[swilton]

6. Sorry,

I could not believe Obama's words - his actions speak for themselves.

If Sanders or any other candidate were to challenge Obama in the primaries I would have to look at Obama's record and not what he would promise to do at some future point. In other words I wouldn't throw one of the few decent politicians out there just as a litmus test for Obama.

Obama as FDR???:rofl:

[Swampguana]

5. Bernie you are great but

why is it that when he does these speeches no one else is ever there? I see so many empty seats. It really bothers me because I think other people in congress need to hear what he has to say.

[harvey007]

7. Another great speech by Senator Sanders

Everyone needs to email this Youtube video to friends and family and post it on their Facebook page, website, blogs, etc.

[BrendaBrick]

8. Kick and here is the link to sign the letter he mentions:

http://sanders.senate.gov/petition/?uid=c1fd7f9b-abd8-4e7a-a370-1867881259d8

Dear Mr. President,

This is a pivotal moment in the history of our country. Decisions are being made about the national budget that will impact the lives of virtually every American for decades to come. As we address the issue of deficit reduction we must not ignore the painful economic reality of today - which is that the wealthiest people in our country and the largest corporations are doing phenomenally well while the middle class is collapsing and poverty is increasing. In fact, the United States today has, by far, the most unequal distribution of wealth and income of any major country on earth.

Everyone understands that over the long-term we have got to reduce the deficit - a deficit that was caused mainly by Wall Street greed, tax breaks for the rich, two wars, and a prescription drug program written by the drug and insurance companies. It is absolutely imperative, however, that as we go forward with deficit reduction we completely reject the Republican approach that demands savage cuts in desperately-needed programs for working families, the elderly, the sick, our children and the poor, while not asking the wealthiest among us to contribute one penny.

Mr. President, please listen to the overwhelming majority of the American people who believe that deficit reduction must be about shared sacrifice. The wealthiest Americans and the most profitable corporations in this country must pay their fair share. At least 50 percent of any deficit reduction package must come from revenue raised by ending tax breaks for the wealthy and eliminating tax loopholes that benefit large, profitable corporations and Wall Street financial institutions. A sensible deficit reduction package must also include significant cuts to unnecessary and wasteful Pentagon spending.

Please do not yield to outrageous Republican demands that would greatly increase suffering for the weakest and most vulnerable members of our society. Now is the time to stand with the tens of millions of Americans who are struggling to survive economically, not with the millionaires and billionaires who have never had it so good.

Respectfully,


Sen. Bernie Sanders;
and Co-signers

http://sanders.senate.gov/petition/?uid=c1fd7f9b-abd8-4e7a-a370-1867881259d8