Read this blog entry for reflections of a Social Security Fairness Activist.

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WE ALL MUST FOLLOW THROUGH ON SSFAIRNESS ACTION ALERTS

 

HOW DO YOU SPELL “THEY?” or

Reflections of a Social Security Fairness Activist

As an activist for the restoration of social security benefits, there are two comments I have heard over and over again.

If I am talking to a new audience who is just learning about the GPO/WEP, their first reaction is predictably “That is unfair!” Some people even insist that I must not have my facts straight.  But then I explain some more and they shake their head and the same words come out of their mouth.  “That is unfair!”

Once explained there is no debate that the GPO/WEP are unfair. Even Congress has recognized that fact.  And yet, the problems have continued for 30 years.  Many professional organizations have worked to push for change and their message has been heard and the problem has even been publicly recognized, but the necessary changes have not occurred.

So, those of us whose retirement has been severely impacted continue to hope that justice will be restored.  Some have written letters, some have published editorials in the local newspapers, some have called the offices of Congressmen and some have followed closely the actions of our professional organizations and some have become active in SSFAIRNESS.COM.   Others have wrung their hands in desperation.

Hoping for a change in the outlook for restoration of social security equity people start asking questions.  Eventually I can count on hearing the following question:

“Are THEY doing anything about the unfair Social Security provisions?”

Before I attempt to answer this, let’s consider the psychology behind this question.  The choice of word “they” implies that there is some outside force that is able to make change take place.   Well, I wish there were a magic wand to wave and “THEY” would then react to our wishes and equitable Social Security benefits would be restored.  Unfortunately, the truth of the matter is the answer to the question “are THEY doing anything is really answered by another question.

“Are YOU doing anything about the unfair Social Security provisions?”

“THEY” IS SPELLED “Y” “O” “U” !

A         = Action  (Sign up for & act on Action Alerts)

C         = Commitment to the cause (Tell others & persist)

T         = “They” which is really YOU

We need NUMBERS  to make our voices heard and only YOU can make those numbers grow.

Do not expect THEY will answer the call to political action.

YOU must answer that Call to Action and follow through on all SSFAIRNESS ALERTS.

We have a small window of opportunity now and can not pass up this chance as it is highly unlikely we will be heard later.

THANK YOU FOR READING THIS AND TAKING THE TIME TO ACT!!   SSFAIRNESS.COM

The case for repeal of the GPO/WEP

PTS OF INEQUITY PPT 11-24-10

Attached is a PowerPoint which presents the reasons the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) must be repealed.  Use this as you see fit and help us to state our cause in a way which is hard to refute.  Once the facts are known, then there are no valid arguments which can be offered against the repeal.  Stick the course, persist and keep on writing those letters, emails, and phoning the Congressmen and keep this issue on the forefront.  We have only a short while to make ourselves heard and then many decisions will already have been made in regard to Social Security in general.  We do not want to lose this window or it may not be possible to bring this back to the attention of the decision makers for a long time to come.

We must persist in making our cause known, We must be the change we wish to see in the world!

In a previous blog  you can see a more detailed written version of these ten points of inequity  which can be used as a handout.  Keep on recruiting your colleagues, your neighbors, friends and family and encourage them to sign up on SSFAIRNESS.COM and follow through on those Action Alerts.  It is critical we have a lot of participation.  If only 10% of our membership write the letters, etc. then that means only 220 people are being heard.  Is that enough to make a serious impact?  NO – we need regular action from many more people.  You can make a difference – be the voice for change.