Socail Security Safety Blanket

Campaign for America's Future manager@ourfuture.org via bounces.salsalabs.net	9:42 AM (11 hours ago)
to me

Friend: This generation's chance to build Social Security is here. Where are you? Friend: The middle class is shrinking and our private pension system is failing. But we still have Social Security, right? Sort of. If you or someone you love relies on their earned benefits, you know how difficult it is to maintain a decent standard of living on Social Security. We can do better. Senator Tom Harkin has introduced a bill that says no to those who want to cut Social Security — and actually increases benefits by several hundred dollars a year. That may not seem like much, but for many Americans that's the difference between independence and poverty. Click here to tell Congress: Don't cut Social Security benefits; increase them! This bill won't harm the deficit. It pays for itself by making the wealthy pay the same Social Security tax rate as you and I. It's fair, modest and will actually build the trust fund. Take a few seconds out of your day and tell Congress to pass this important reform. Sincerely, Roger Hickey Co-Director, Campaign for America's Future

Unionized Wages

The $28 hourly wage that workers in unionized plants outside the South used to count on looks increasingly like a relic of the broadly shared prosperity that America used to enjoy. With private-sector unions now weakened by ineffectual labor laws and implacable employer opposition, manufacturing wages have been slashed to $14 an hour, or lower, in many places. Meanwhile, wages in retail and most other service sectors are unlikely to rise while historically higher wages in manufacturing continue to plummet. No wonder more and more Americans can’t afford to buy houses, despite record-low mortgage rates.

stronger-than-anticipated revenue from capital gains taxes to build a surplus

Massachusetts has benefited from stronger-than-anticipated revenue from capital gains taxes to build a surplus of just more than 1 percent of its general fund budget. It used nearly three-quarters of the $460 million surplus to replenish the state's reserve fund, while directing other surplus money to cities and towns recovering from deadly tornadoes in June, state courts and to provide modest raises to social service workers.

People are totally ready to get behind (Obama

After Obama's election, many Democrats said they falsely assumed that winning the White House would help them pass an agenda that would assist middle-class families. Instead, they were dismayed when Obama ditched a proposed "public option" for a government insurance plan from the health care overhaul and cringed when he cut a deal with Republicans to extend Bush-era tax cuts.

During the summer, the left argued that Obama gave up too much in spending cuts during the debt-ceiling fight and couldn't force Republicans to accept higher taxes on the wealthy in return.

"People are totally ready to get behind (Obama), but I think what they're not ready to give anybody is the benefit of the doubt that if we win an election and we all go home, things are going to change," said Andy Stern, the former president of the Service Employees International Union. "That was probably the theory of the Obama election and taking over the House by the Democrats and the Senate as well. I think it was a failed strategy."

So liberal organizations have tried to build a movement, holding hundreds of house meetings across the country and staging protests at town hall meetings held by Republican lawmakers — a tactic that tea party activists used to build opposition to Obama's health care plan.

Conference speakers said Obama's jobs bill could act as a turning point, a sign that the president is taking a more aggressive push to revive the economy and standing firm against deep cuts to Medicare and Social Security. The president has barnstormed the country, rallying support for the $447 billion plan for tax cuts and public works spending to stimulate the economy.

While the plan is unlikely to pass Congress in its entirety, the White House believes Obama's populist approach will build support among the public. And liberals think they've already moved the president.

"Why is the White House talking different? The White House is talking different because we are walking different," said Van Jones, a former Obama policy adviser who helped organize the conference.

Liberals took close note of Obama's discussion of deficit reduction measures and were pleased that he did not seek a gradual increase in the eligibility age for Medicare from 65 to 67. Last summer, Obama had agreed to the age increase in negotiations with House Speaker John Boehner before the talks fell apart. Many Democrats objected to the age increases, arguing it would undercut their criticisms of a Republican plan that would overhaul Medicare.

On Social Security, Democrats have railed against plans by Republican presidential hopefuls to partially privatize the retirement system, letting younger workers divert part of their payroll taxes into a personal account to be invested outside of Social Security.

Obama does not face a primary challenge, and Republicans have little chance of picking up support from hard-core Democrats next year. But Obama needs liberals to knock on doors, staff phone banks and register voters — must-do jobs for any candidate's base. Dissatisfied liberals could also stay home on Election Day or refuse to donate money to Obama's campaign.

There are signs of an enthusiasm gap. A recent survey by Gallup found that 45 percent of Democrats said they were more enthusiastic about the 2012 presidential election than they had been in past elections, while 44 percent said they were less enthusiastic. Fifty-eight percent of Republicans, meanwhile, said they were more enthusiastic about 2012 than in past elections, and 30 percent were less enthusiastic.

Gallup said the enthusiasm gap between Democrats and Republicans was the largest it has measured since 2000.

Many hope the American Dream movement can generate enthusiasm for Obama next year.

Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill., told attendees at one session that many of her supporters appeared "beaten down" by the status of the economy and Obama's standing among voters but said liberals needed to bring energy to next year's election.

"We have to set people's hair on fire about what America would look like if Republicans get their way," she said.

© 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Additional Links:

Markey, Delegation: Massachusetts Earns $56 Million to Aid Homeless

Jan 19, 2011:



BOSTON – Representative Edward J. Markey (d-Malden), along with Senators John Kerry and Scott Brown, and Representatives John Olver, Jim McGovern, Niki Tsongas, and Richard Neal, today announced that Massachusetts will receive $56,550,634 to provide housing and services to the homeless throughout the state.

The funding, awarded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Continuum of Care Homeless Assistance Program, will provide transitional, rental, and permanent housing as well as a host of services to help homeless individuals and families move towards self-sufficiency and permanent housing.

Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid cuts on the table

Obama offered to put Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid cuts on the table in exchange for a tax hike of roughly $100 billion per year over 10 years. Meanwhile, government spending would be cut by roughly three times that amount. It's no small irony that the party's dogmatic opposition to tax increases is costing the GOP its best opportunity to roll back social programs it has long targeted.

Visit to the Malden Senior Commuity Center

U.S. Representative Edward J. Markey, Malden Mayor Richard C. Howard, and Middlesex County District Attorney Gerard t. Leone Jr. addressed the crowd at the Malden Senior Center, according to a statement by Leone's office.

"Our seniors are the most deserving population and we have an obligation to help combat those crimes that specifically target them," said Leone in a statement. According to his office, instances of elder abuse has risen 15 percent in the last two years.

Markey committed his support to programs that members of the "greatest generation" now depend on, he said.

"After working to build this nation, we owe it to them to fight for the programs on which they rely -- Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security," the Malden Democrat said in a statement.

Bank Branch closing in Massachusetts

Advocates for the poor also worry that lower-income neighborhoods will feel the brunt of branch closings, forc ing more residents to turn to payday lenders, check cashing services, and other institutions that typically charge higher fees.


“Residents of those neighborhoods will be paying much more to cash their checks, to get loans, and to do their business,’’ said Jesse Van Tol, a spokesman for the National Community Reinvestment Coalition, a Washington advocacy group. “It’s a trend that threatens to create a dual banking system in America: one for the wealthy and one for everybody else.’’

Bell Rock Memorial Park

Bell Rock Memorial Park
Park since 1905, this site commemorates Malden's veterans atop Bell Rock upon which Malden's first settlers erected a church bell hung in a frame for 30 years to call colonial worshippers. First Meeting House stood on west side of rock 1649-1658 and Second Meeting House stood here 1660-1730. Park includes "The Flag Defenders" monument by Bela Pratt in tribute to soldiers and sailors of the Civil War. Also found are tablets memorializing Malden veterans of Revolutionary, Spanish American and First World Wars. An arch dedicated to Veterans of World War II has been restored and additional panels are being added to memorialize some 8,100 residents from across the City who served their country during this War.. The new World War II memorial will be unveiled and dedicated on June 26, 2010. Site laid out by noted landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, who designed New York's Central Park and Boston's Emerald Necklace chain of parks. Bell Rock Memorial Park was named to the National Register of Historic Places in February, 2001.

Medicare and Social Security benefits

American seniors have earned their Medicare and Social Security benefits by working hard for decades. But those benefits are at risk: Congress is considering harmful cuts to both Medicare and Social Security. Instead of cutting the benefits seniors have earned, Congress should cut wasteful spending, close tax loopholes and hold down health care costs.

SINCE COMING UP SHORTLY MANDATORY FOR SENIORS

How to Get a Social Security Debit Card
Print this article

In the past, the Federal government mailed checks to recipients of
Social Security benefits, Social Security Supplemental income and
other types of Federal checks to the home address of the recipient.
Advances in the banking industry recently allowed those who received
checks to have the funds directly deposited in their accounts. The
Social Security has now introduced a debit card available to those
that don't have a bank account.
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Instructions
1

Decide if you are eligible. The program is for those individuals who
receive government benefit checks from the Social Security
Administration but who don't have a bank account. Those that have bank
accounts have the option to elect direct deposit of their monthly
check into their bank accounts.

2


Determine if you are willing to accept the limitations of the program.
The debit card program is a special account set up for you to hold
your Social Security benefits. This account has a debit card issued to
the owner of the account that allows the owner to make withdrawals at
ATM machines and use the card at point of sale locations to purchase
all kinds of items. There are fees associated with the use of the
card. The owner can withdraw funds free once per month. Any further
withdrawals will be billed per transaction. The card may give you
quicker access to your money but will also cost you to use it more
than once a month.

3


Call the local Social Security office to request your card if you can
live with the limitations. Ask to sign up for the Benefit Security
Card program. They can process the request to have a card issued in
your name and sent to you. After the issuance of the card, direct
deposit will transfer your funds to the card's account at the bank
overseeing this program.


.

Read more: How to Get a Social Security Debit Card | eHow.com
http://www.ehow.com/how_2273568_get-social-security-debit-card.html#ixzz1QJzLRXi9--
Howard McGowan
MaldenSenior

National Grid Site

Urban renewal plans are a tool afforded to municipalities by the state’s Department of Housing and Community Development. The plan, if approved by the state, would give the city (through the Malden Redevelopment Authority) greater control over the site and future development there. The plans require the property involved be blighted, substandard or otherwise underutilized

socia lsecurity

If people would go back to the progressive income-taxation that made this country great--i.e., your tax rate rises with your wealth rate--instead of the REGRESSIVE taxation we have now--i.e, the richer you are, the less you pay in income taxes. And since the poor, rightly, pay NO income taxes--guess who foots the bill for America? Right--the Middle Class.

I'm tired of paying rich people's way. Can we PLEASE go back to the way that it used to be, before Ronnie Dearest took over in 1980 and started slashing tax rates on the rich? And Ronnie Reagan was a MISER with the rich, compared to what George W. Bush did. He gave it ALL AWAY. But then he wasn't really a President. He did nothing for this country, nothing at all. Except kill a lot of our young people, and a lot of innocent Iraqis.

Medicare Cost Control

And here’s what you need to know: Medicare actually saves money — a lot of money — compared with relying on private insurance companies. And this in turn means that pushing people out of Medicare, in addition to depriving many Americans of needed care, would almost surely end up increasing total health care costs.

MASS HEALTH CARE LAW

The poll results show that residents with incomes below $30,000 — the bracket that would probably make them eligible for state-subsidized care — were the most likely to say the law is helping to control the cost of their care.


The law expanded eligibility for subsidized coverage to thousands more residents, and state figures a year after the law went into effect showed that more than 200,000 residents were added to state-run coverage.


The poll results also showed that the highest income group, those whose income exceeds $75,000, were more likely than the lowest income group to say the law is hurting their health costs.


Kay Lazar can be reached at klazar@globe.com.

Medicaid

Medicaid is financed jointly by the federal government and the states. When a state wants to modify its Medicaid program, it must amend its state Medicaid plan. The changes are subject to federal review and approval.

Older Americans Month 2011

Older Americans Month is an occasion to show appreciation and support for our seniors as they continue to enrich and strengthen our communities.

This year's theme—Older Americans: Connecting the Community—pays homage to the many ways in which older adults bring inspiration and continuity to the fabric of our communities, and highlights how technology is helping older Americans live longer, healthier, and more engaged lives.

The U.S. Administration on Aging is sponsoring two exciting activities in observance of Older Americans Month 2011, a video challenge and a video game tournament. We welcome and encourage the participation of seniors and community members across the country.

For more information about Older Americans Month, visit the U.S. Administration on Aging.

states survey Medicaid recipients

States must consult Medicaid recipients because, the rule says, their experience is “the most important indicator of whether access is sufficient.” Federal officials suggested that to see how much difficulty they had in scheduling doctor’s appointments.states survey Medicaid recipients

In addition, the rule says, states should compare Medicaid payment rates with the amounts paid by Medicare or commercial insurers, with providers’ costs or with their customary charges. Another important factor, it said, is the number and percentage of doctors who accept new Medicaid patients.
Posted by Malden Senior at 4:39 AM

Rep. Steven Kulik, as quoted in the State House News Service

, said his constituents are not calling for tax cuts:


"I think it's a little unusual that in the two weeks since the House Ways and Means Committee released the budget, the taxpayers I've been hearing from have not been calling or emailing me to say lower our income tax rate. They haven't been calling to say cut revenue. They've been calling to say please increase spending on services that matter to me. Whether that's on clothing allowance to poor children, local aid."

State Budget Cuts

State budget-watchers say this year’s cuts will be painful. They expect the House to cut local aid and other vital programs even more deeply than Governor Patrick proposed. Children’s programs, mental health, libraries, city budgets, and a long list of human services will take hard hits on top of the hits they have taken over the last few years.

Why is this happening? After all, state tax revenues are gradually recovering from the worst of Wall Street’s crash. The state balance sheet should be looking better. But as we start to climb out of our state budget hole, Washington is pushing us back down. Federal stimulus funds, which saved vital services and jobs last year, have dried up. And now, Congress and the White House are slashing more of the programs that most of us use and which are absolutely critical for some of our citizens


Read more: Newton Dialogues: Fund our communities, cut military spending - Newton, Massachusetts - Newton TAB http://www.wickedlocal.com/newton/archive/x528722978/Newton-Dialogues-Fund-our-communities-cut-military-spending#ixzz1KXu8TzOT