Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders appeared on MSNBC's The Ed Show with Ed Schultz on Nov. 8 to rally resistance to any fiscal deal that "balances the budget on the backs of the elderly, the sick and the poor." Sanders urged Pres. Obama to visit every one of the 50 states "no matter how conservative" and ask the people, "Do you really believe we should give tax breaks to billionaires and cut Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid?"
Sanders predicted that in every state, most voters would disagree with the Republicans on this. Polling has shown that huge majorities of Americans favor increasing taxes on the rich, and oppose cuts in Social Security and Medicare, as the way to reduce the deficit.
To see the full interview, click here.
UE's Political Action Director Chris Townsend says this will be the biggest political fight in the weeks ahead, during the so-called "lame duck session" of Congress before the new the new senators and representatives take office in January. The AFL-CIO and other unions agree that labor and its allies must mobilize for this battle. There are signs that some Democrats are beginning to get the message. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada) announced on November 8, "We are not going to mess with Social Security" in fiscal negotiations with the Republicans.
But the Obama administration and other Democrats have in the past shown a dangerous inclination to agree to cuts in Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and other important domestic programs to get Republican agreement on some modest tax increases on the rich. Polling has shown that Americans of all parties are strongly opposed to such cuts, but it is up to labor and other peoples' organizations to mobilize to prevent any sell-out in a "Grand Bargain."
Check the UE website frequently for updates on this important issue.