Social Security benefits barely keep recipients above the poverty level of income and COLA increases are not even keeping up with prescription and other medical costs. Sen. Tom Harkin and other progressive lawmakers are advancing commonsensical and reasonable legislation to address the needs of today's retirees. Sen. Nelson needs to add his name in support of these improvements to strengthen the message to Congress and the White House that balancing the budget on the backs of the elderly is not acceptable.

Tom Harkin has introduced the Strengthening Social Security Act of 2013 to expand Social Security, not cut it. The bill needs more co-sponsors before it can be voted on.

Social Security is a contract with the American People between them and their Government. All cuts or reformulations need to be taken off the table when negotiating with the opposition. Please cosponsor Sen. Harkins Strengthening Social Security Act of 2013. Then vote for it.

I am getting by, about half on Social Security, about a fourth on a charitable remainder trust mutual stock fund, about a fourth the generosity of my sister and brother-in-law.

I was widowed at age 29 with three small daughters. Without Social Security my children and I might have become malnourished and homeless. With the help of Social Security, my daughters are all college educated and leaders in their communities.

As a disabled American already struggling to make ends meet on Social Security, cutting benefits could easily leave myself and other disabled people and senior citizens in a position of not buying food or medication just to keep a roof over our heads.

The GOP and some Democrats are offering up "entitlement" benefits to be considered on the next budget showdown. We cannot let this happen! We earned these benefits and the Social Security Systems works and needs to be strengthened, not cut. On 2/1/2010 I quit my VERY GOOD paying job that provided health insurance, retirement, vacation and sick pay to care full-time for my severely disabled and medically fragile granddaughter. She is on Medicaid. Without Medicaid I could not afford her 4 anti-seizures medications and she could literally die without medical intervention. I worked and paid into Social Security for 32 years prior to quitting in 2010. I am only 49 years old and I am very worried about my future as I age. I spent my savings, I have no pension. I will be depending on Social Security in my future. The good news is that Senate Social Security champions like Tom Harkin not only have said no to cuts, they've put forward a commonsense plan to expand Social Security. Before Sen. Harkin's Strengthening Social Security Act of 2013 can get a vote, it needs more co-sponsors. Following are some benefits of S.567: 1. Phase out the current cap of $113,700 to ensure that millionaires and billionaires pay the same rate on payroll taxes as the rest of us. 2. Uses the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) which more accurately reflects increases for seniors. This formula will amount to approximately $70.00 more a month for beneficiaries helping those in the middle and low income distribution. 3. Extends the solvency of the Social Security System. The trust is not in crisis, but this will help the long-term financial condition for current and future generations. I am asking that both Senator Tester and Senator Baucus co-sponsor this bill right away. If we can get every Democratic senator to co-sponsor this bill, the media, Senate and House Republicans, and President Obama will get this message loud and clear: Social Security cuts are off the table.

America is the richest nation on earth; the richest nation that ever was. And yet, instead of going after the wealth of corporations and the top 1%, Congress and the President look to slash well-earned and hard won benefits of the elderly and disabled and the poorest among us. This is wrong. Cut military spending. Enact a financial transaction tax. Close corporate loopholes. We all do better when we ALL do better.

As a recipient of Social Security I firmly believe that benefit increases, not cuts, are what are needed not only for recipients, but for our economy as well.

It is important we protect those that have defended our country's freedom both here and abroad. We need to make sure our vets and our seniors are secure, safe and get the help they deserve.

The great majority of citizens in Montana are low wage earners. They deserve and need to have their Social Security Benefits secure and undiminished, permanently! There is no justification for asking them to sacrifice their meager benefits to pay for the reckless losses of the banksters and their corrupt politicians that put our economy at risk and sank it.

I have carefully planned my life. Even after getting Multiple Sclerosis, I planned my retirement so that I would have enough to live comfortably. Any change in these plans, that is not for the BETTER, will cause me, the careful planner, to live at a lower level than planned. It is just not fair.