I got an email with a VERY long signature list at the end, and just had to write a response with the facts. Was it worth it? Who knows.
I'm sure you have seen this, another rehashed internet chain letter:
SOCIAL SECURITY CHANGESGiven the real battles we're up against, I could not resist a reply, bcc'd to the list. You can read it here, below the orange cruller.It does not matter if you personally like or dislike Obama. You need to sign this petition and flood his e-mail box with e-mails that tell him that, even if the House passes this bill, he needs to veto it. It is already impossible to live on Social Security alone. If the government gives benefits to 'illegal' aliens who have never contributed, where does that leave those of us who have paid into Social Security all our working lives?
My response:
Friends, and friends of friends,Was it worth it? We'll find out at my next NARFE meeting I guess.Congress did not and will not vote to "give social security benefits to illegal aliens"
Here are the facts: http://www.snopes.com/...
(Illegal workers that pay Social Security do so with fake social security numbers -- they will never see that money, so ironically, the system sees a net benefit from their law-breaking!)
The truth is, Social Security is solvent for many years and will be protected. A few minor tweaks (raising the "cap" a few percent; means testing for the rich) will help, but the demographics will easily keep the system solvent through the 21st century -- without benefit cuts.
Illegals are NOT the problem. The problem is a Congress that is considering cutting YOUR earned benefits. Don't sign a petition, but do WRITE YOUR REPS AND SENATORS and remind them that Social Security benefits have no relation to the deficit and it is clear to you that "chained CPI" takes money from working people that have earned it (and worse, they want cut SS to preserve tax cuts for the uber-rich and corporations).
http://www.washingtonpost.com/...
Contact your Reps and Senators and ask them not to take your money!