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About Northwest labor press. (Portland , Ore.) 1987-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 1, 2013)
AFL-CIO opposes cuts to Social Security By KENNETH QUINNELL WASHINGTON, D.C. — AFL-CIO Policy Director and Special Counsel Damon Silvers made it clear that the la- bor federation opposes any benefit cuts to Social Security, Medicare and Medi- caid. He said these cuts would harm seniors and that the motivations of those who favor the cuts are suspect, at best. Silvers told Salon: “The labor move- ment is going to fight to the death to stop cuts to Social Security and Medicare and Medicaid. Not ‘unrea- sonable cuts.’ Not ‘cuts without tax in- creases.’ Cuts period. We’re against all of them, we will fight them ferociously, and we will give no cover to any De- mocrat who supports them.” Silvers said it would be “simply an invitation to a fratricide in the Demo- cratic Party” for the president to take up a renewed push for “chained CPI,” a proposed change in cost-of-living cal- culations that would reduce future So- cial Security benefits. “It hits the ab- solute most vulnerable people…” Silvers charged. “It’s a proposal that has no merit at all other than that billion- aires like it.” In an appearance on CNBC, Silvers rejected several outlandish claims from the network's anchors. The Los Ange- les Times’ Michael Hiltzik reports: At that point anchorwoman Kelly Evans steps up to the plate. “Nobody’s saying that there’s not a good rationale for having these programs in place,” she Low Prices! Mon-Fri 9-6, Sat 9:30-5:30, Sun 12-6 “The labor movement is going to fight to the death to stop cuts to Social Security and Medicare and Medicaid. Not ‘unreasonable cuts.’ Not ‘cuts without tax increases.’ Cuts period. We’re against all of them, we will fight them ferociously, and we will give no cover to any Democrat who supports them.” AFL-CIO P OLICY D IRECTOR D AMON S ILVERS says, charitably. “Of course people want to make sure that our citizens are taken care of. But that’s almost not the point.” (It’s not?) Evans proceeds to assail Sil- vers and the AFL-CIO for refusing to “negotiate” over seniors’ well-being. “We're not embarrassed about that whatsoever,” Silvers replies. “If you cut Social Security benefits or Medicare benefits to our seniors, to our most vul- nerable people in the country, you are going to get no support on it.” Then anchorman Simon Hobbs breaks in to deliver what he thinks is the coup de grace, asking, “Are you as clear on the reality that if you don’t cut enti- tlement benefits this country may well go bankrupt.” That’s certainly one of the most baldly ignorant statements about the country’s fiscal condition and the ef- fect of the two big social insurance pro- grams ever to be heard on CNBC (and that’s a high bar), since (A) the U.S. can’t go “bankrupt,” and (B) the coun- try has more than enough resources to pay for all its obligations to its seniors. Silvers responds more politely than I would have. “That’s frankly not true,” he says. “That’s a lie put forward by bil- lionaires who don’t want to pay higher taxes.” (He might have mentioned, but didn’t, Peter G. Peterson, the hedge fund billionaire whose network of Washington think-tanks relentlessly pushes for “entitlement reform.”) “The only people who believe what you just said,” Silvers added,”are peo- ple who are worried that their very large incomes will be taxed.” Donations sought for holiday party Labor’s Community Service Agency (LCSA) and the Northwest Oregon Labor Council (NOLC) are ac- cepting donations of toys and cash for their 17th annual Presents from Part- ners Holiday Toy Party. The event is for families of unem- ployed union members and includes a luncheon, a visit with Santa Claus, and lots of toys. The party will be Saturday, Dec. 14, at the Sheet Metal Workers Local 16 Hall in Northeast Portland. Donations can be dropped off at the IBEW and United Workers Federal Credit Union or at LCSA (Suite 211). Both offices are located in the same building at 9955 SE Washington St., Portland; at the NOLC office, 3645 SE 32nd Ave., at the main office of Jobs with Justice, 1500 NE Irving St., Suite 585, Portland, or at any office of Sun- rise Dental. Toys will be accepted now through Dec. 10. Call 503-231-4962 to make arrangements for drop off. EE R F BARGAIN COUNTER Free classified ads to subscribers DEADLINE: Friday prior to publication Published 1st and 3rd Fridays Now accepting e-mails Send to: Michael492@comcast.net Mail to: NWLP, PO Box 13150, Portland OR 97213 (Please include union affiliation) • 15-20 words • No commercial or business ads • 1 ad per issue • All lower case (NO CAPITAL LETTERS, PLEASE) • Ads MUST include area code or they will not be published A UTOMOTIVE KargoMaster utility rack, fits truck 58” to 62” inside width, made of 2” pipe, very solid. 503-753-9571 2 stUDDeD tIres, 5-hole rims, P205 65/r15, $60; tonneau cover off ’02 Chev shortbed, bronze, $150. 503-303-4227 ’03 eXPLorer XLt, moon roof, Ps, PB, tilt, aC, PDL, pseats, PW, 3rd row seat, leather, 153Kmiles, $5,900. 503-663-4269 H OUSING roCKaWaY BeaCH rental, 3 bed, 2 bath, sleeps 10, Jacuzzi, 5 min to beach/shops; Vacationhomerentals. com/43026 roCKaWaY ocean front, 503-777-5076, 5 bdrms/2 ba, call for Fisherman’s special, http://rockawaybeachfrontrental.com 300 aCres, spray oregon, trees and wildlife, will carry contract, $750 per acre or reasonable offer. 541-468-2961 CoNtINeNtaL FLatHeaD 6 cyl engine, industrial/stationary model F227, good shape, $200. 503-253-1003 S PORTING G OODS 2 sKB sHotgUNs, Model 280, sXs, 12 ga., 26” barrels, IC & Mod; 28” barrels, $1,200 ea, both $2,000. 503-366- 0218 IsraeLI arMs commander, 45 auto, cleaning rod & case, Model M5000 $400, excellent 97203 503-926-3253 31’ CHrIs CraFt sport fisherman, 1968, twin 454s, freshwater cooled, newer elec- tronics, lots of upgrades, $18,000 obo. 503-504-7876. 18.5’ Jet Boat gM 350, 200 hr, $9,000. 503-761-5619 MeNs HoDgeMaN’s breathable waders, XL, new, $50; 4 whitewater life vests, uni- versal size, $25ea. 503-236-5822 W ANTED oLD WooDWorKINg tools, planes, lev- els, chisels, handsaws, slicks, adzes, wrenches, folding rulers, leather tools, tool chests. 503-659-0009 MotorCYCLes, quads, boats, tractors, rVs, trailers, bicycles, autos, lawnmow- ers, cash paid will pick up 503-880-8183 U.s., gerMaN, Japanese military items, uniforms, aviation, hats, helmets, swords, daggers, bayonets, rifles, pistols. 503-852- 6791 BUYINg Us & world coins to add to col- lection, paying fairly, any amount wel- come. 503-939-8835 CoLLeCtor, cash paid, old fishing tackle, wood plugs, reels, creels, salmon fishing photos, etc. 503-775-4166 CoLLeCtor PaYs cash for older toys, oil paintings, american art pottery, and costume jewelry. 503 703-5952 HaM raDIo & short wave radio equip, (no CBs), including older 1950s/60s/70s equipment w/tubes. 503-823-4577 IRS PROBLEMS? • Haven’t filed for ... years? • Lost records? • Liens - Levies - Garnishments? • Negotiate settlements. • Prepare offer in Compromise. Call Nancy D. Anderson M ISCELLANEOUS HoNDa 6,000w generator, electronic igni- tion, $475; wood chipper 8hp $295; shop heater 4000w $155. 503-799-1715 PAGE 6 NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS Enrolled Agent NPTI Fellow/America’s Tax Expert LTC-1807 www.nancydanderson.com 503-244-2577 NOVEMBER 1, 2013
