Stand Up and Speak Out for Social Security on April 26th

April 21, 2005

Now is the time to stand up and speak out for the economic security of all women and their families by attending Social Security rallies and town hall meetings over the next few weeks. The National Organization for Women strongly urges all members and supporters to become active on this issue. The right wingers' campaign to convert Social Security to a system of risky private investment accounts is intensifying with upcoming Congressional hearings, television ads and stump speeches by that well-known advocate for Wall Street interests, George W. Bush. Tens of millions of dollars have been contributed by investment firms, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and other big business interests to finance this slick effort to convince the public that investing in the stock market will assure them a secure retirement. (Not.)

On Tuesday, April 26, the Senate Finance Committee will hold a hearing on Social Security, weighted with witnesses who will present misleading testimony about the merits of private retirement investment accounts.

To counter this biased presentation and George W. Bush's well-financed propaganda campaign, a broad coalition of progressive organizations, including NOW, will join Americans United to Protect Social Security on that same date as a "National Day of Unity to Protect Social Security and Stop Privatization." Activists in 38 cities will unite to demonstrate their opposition of the GOP's plan to privatize Social Security.

D.C. Rally - In Washington, D.C., NOW president Kim Gandy and progressive leaders will speak at a rally near the Capitol (Upper Senate Park) joined by members of the House and Senate to voice our joint opposition to privatization. Organizers hope to turn out a large crowd at 1:00 pm on Tuesday 4/26 and we urge NOW activists in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia suburban areas to come to the corner of Constitution and Delaware Avenues during their lunch hour.

NOW encourages all members and supporters to connect with local supporters and help to turn out attendance at these events. These public rallies are a chance to tell politicians how important Social Security is to women in retirement, women who are disabled and women workers who are low or moderate income earners. This most successful of all our safety net programs also provides insurance for families in the event of the death or disability of a working parent and it is a dependable income supplement for disabled adults.

Congress must preserve Social Security in its current structure and end the debate over privatization. A realistic dialogue over improvements to this successful social insurance program that would benefit women, people of color and lifetime low-income earners should follow. Equally important is the need for a comprehensive plan to address Social Security's long term solvency problems which will be felt by mid-century. Feminist activists must insist that politicians come to grips with the real issues on Social Security.

Find more information on events organized by the coalition in your area online.

If there is no rally listed for your area, but you know of activists in cities where rallies will take place, please forward this message to them.

OWL Events - OWL, an organizational ally of NOW devoted to representing the needs and interests of midlife and older women, has launched the "Social Security Matters Campaign." A major focus for OWL is to host community forums with older and younger women across the country on the topics of Women, Social Security, and Privatization. NOW activists are encouraged to join our allies in presenting an informative discussion on the critical importance of Social Security to women. The events will take place in Ft. Lauderdale, Boston, Portland, Ore., Sacramento and other locations. To find the nearest community forum or for more information visit the web site.

Check the NOW web page on Social Security for talking points, statistics and statements.