Whereas budget talks have once again raised the specter of a “Grand Bargain” in exchange for cuts in Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid benefits; and
Whereas such billionaires as the Koch brothers, Pete Peterson, Stanley Druckenmillers, and many corporate interests are leading the charge to cut the above programs, along with a majority of U.S. Republican Congressman and Senators; and
Whereas Social Security is not going broke and currently has a surplus of $2.8 trillion and should not be part of any budget talks: and
Whereas the so-called chained CPI would cost retirees, disabled veterans and other Medicare recipients thousands of dollars over their lifetimes; and
Whereas one out of four U.S. corporations pay nothing in federal taxes and most of the Bush era tax breaks for the wealthiest remain in place; and
Whereas other than the social safety net, there are numerous national programs, including defense, where wasteful spending has been identified; and
Whereas a coalition of organizations including the ARA, Democracy for America and Progressives Unite have joined Senator Bernie Sanders and other Senators, founder of the Defending Social Security Caucus, along with other Senators in demanding protection of the future of Social Security,
Resolved that we recognize that there are much fairer and economically sound ways to address the budget than cutting programs desperately needed by the most vulnerable people in our country; and
Resolved that the RTC urge the UFT, NYSUT and the AFT to join the campaign championed by Senator Sanders and others when appropriate; and
Resolved that the RTC, when appropriate do activities such as petitions, letters, telephone calls and e-mails among our membership as well as organize members to visit legislators in their home districts to personally deliver the message, “No Cuts to Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid”, support Senator Sanders along with Schumer, Gillibrand and others in the Defending Social Security Caucus.