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.

Social Security works. It should not be a bargaining chip nor cut. Now is the best moment to actually expand and improve Social Security. Senator Tom Harkin has proposed just such a bill that would immediately increase benefits to seniors, improve the COLA (Cost of Living Adjustments) to reflect the real costs faced by seniors and would extend the financial lifetime of the Trust Fund by phasing out the current taxable cap of $113,700 so that payroll taxes apply fairly to every dollar of wages. Please support this bill.

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.

More than 53 MILLION Americans are bullied at work! Many are physically hurt. This petition is to stop the bullying, assault and harassment of/on public employees especially because they support voting rights for all U.S. citizens.

The Social safety net is what guarantees civilization.

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.

More than 60% of San Francisco voters just rejected Props B and C. In doing so, voters demonstrated that ritzy condo projects for the ultra-rich, like 8 Washington, are not what our community wants or needs. The cost of living in San Francisco has spiraled out of control, but Mayor Lee refuses to take meaningful action. He's under the influence of the wealthy and well-connected, who continue to push expensive, new developments where only the richest San Franciscans can afford to live, driving up prices and forcing working families out of the city. The mayor must start representing everyone who lives in San Francisco, not just the rich. He needs to start fighting for an affordable city. Raise your voice and tell him.

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.

Social Security is my main source of income. Payments are not keeping pace with inflation even now, and cuts would make the situation worse.

When I became a mom, my desire to help create a better world became more personal and urgent. I’ve reflected on the biggest challenges my two sons will face. Doing something about climate change rose to the top of my list. I knew I had to add it to my job description as a responsible parent! Now that one of my sons has started school, I’ve begun thinking a lot more about what they will be taught about their world, including climate change. So I was heartened to learn that the Michigan State Board of Education is considering adoption of 21st century science standards that include climate science. The Board is being pressured to reject the new, world-class science standards by climate deniers like Rep. Tom McMillin (R-District 45). Rep. McMillin recently introduced a bill to stop the NGSS from being taught because, as he said, the standards “get into controversial issues such as man-made global warming as fact.” Keeping our kids in the dark about climate change would be an outrageous and unacceptable disservice to their future. At a time when impacts like drought, more intense storms, and heat waves have already begun to take a toll on Michigan agriculture and the Great Lakes, it’s more important than ever for Michigan students to gain a strong understanding of the causes and impacts of climate change. This will give them the foundation to identify the solutions we need. Let’s send the State Board of Education a strong message that we want our kids to have access to the best possible science education to help them address the challenges and opportunities they will face throughout their lives. If we act today, our children and grandchildren will thank us tomorrow! Sincerely, Kate Madigan, mother of two, 
Traverse City, MI Story on Rep. McMillin anti-NGSS bill: http://ncse.com/news/2013/09/anti-ngss-bill-introduced-michigan-0015053