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
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“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.
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NOVEMBER 1, 2013