He finally did it. At last President Bush told the truth about the privatized Social Security accounts he’s been pushing: “Personal accounts do not solve the issue,” he told reporters yesterday.

And half of the U.S. Senate—which would have to approve his disastrous privatization plan before it could become a reality—agrees. Yesterday 50 U.S. senators—all the Democrats and five Republicans—voted for a nonbinding resolution saying “Congress should reject any Social Security plan that requires deep benefit cuts or a massive increase in debt.” That’s not an official vote on any specific privatization proposal—but it’s a good indicator that President Bush faces a tough uphill battle getting his plan through the Senate.

The tide’s turning our way. And it’s time to sink privatization once and for all. Please click this link to send a message to Congress urging them to sign the Pledge to Strengthen Social Security and oppose privatization:

www.unionvoice.org/campaign/sspledge

We’ve got to act now to stop Social Security privatization because it would slash guaranteed retirement benefits, explode the federal debt with trillions in new borrowing, open Social Security up to political corruption and make our retirement problems WORSE.

Do your part:  Send a message now urging your members of Congress to pledge they will strengthen Social Security rather than privatize it and oppose benefit cuts, huge new debt or raising the retirement age to pay for private accounts.

Grab the momentum. Poll after poll shows the American public opposes President Bush’s drive to privatize Social Security. Under pressure from activists like you and their own clients, Wall Street investment firms such as Edward Jones and Waddell & Reed are leaving the big lobbying groups pushing privatization.

You can tip the balance and end the privatization threat by acting now. Just click here to urge your members of Congress to sign the pledge:

www.unionvoice.org/campaign/sspledge

Get ready for March 31: That’s a National Day of Action to force Charles Schwab and other investment companies still backing privatization to change their minds. With rallies at Schwab offices across the country, we’re going to tell these rich Wall Street types they can’t pick our pockets to line theirs. Investment companies stand to make billions in fees operating privatized Social Security accounts—while working families lose BIG. Next week we’ll let you know how you can be involved.

Thank you for all you do for working families.

In solidarity,

Working Families e-Activist Network, AFL-CIO
March 17, 2005