The loudest calls for cutting Social Security come from wealthy CEOs who will never have to worry about their own retirement security.
The roughly 200 CEOs who collectively make up Business Roundtable — a business lobbying group that often pushes conservative views, including Social Security cuts — have average retirement savings of $14.5 million, according to the Institute for Policy Studies and the Center for Effective Government.
That’s about 1,200 times more than what the median American worker has saved for retirement a decade before the end of his or her career, according to the study. (That paltry amount is just $12,000, by the way, according to a separate report.)
But by simply requiring upper-income taxpayers to pay the same tax rate as middle-class families, Social Security’s benefits could be expanded — AND its funding would remain in balance for decades beyond the longest projections.
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-CeyP-QchQ&rel=0]
Social Security is funded through deductions to everyone’s paychecks. We pay in while we’re working, and then collect benefits when we retire or become disabled. But not everyone pays equally into the system: Social Security taxes are only collected on the first $118,500 of pay.
Join us to tell the President and members of Congress: it’s time to expand Social Security by ensuring everyone pays the same tax rate for the same guarantee: http://bit.ly/1GEyJGA
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Sponsored By:
American Federation of Government Employees Local 3937
AFSCME Council 28
AFSCME Local 443
AFT Washington, AFL-CIO
Economic Opportunity Institute
International Association of Machinists
International Association of Machinists, Local 751
Martin Luther King County Labor Council, AFL-CIO
National Organization for Women, Seattle Chapter
Pierce County Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO
Puget Sound Advocates for Retirement Action
Social Security Works – Washington
Washington State Alliance for Retired Americans
Credits
Songwriters: Aaron Keating, Alex Stone, Chris Shaffer
Screenplay: Aaron Keating and Reel Grrls Pro
Performed by: Chris Shaffer & Co.
Sound Recording/Engineering: Greg Jordan, Banana Belt Studios
Produced, directed and edited by: Reel Grrls Pro
Reel Grrls Pro:
Producer: Laura Jean Cronin
Camera Mentor: Angela Bernardoni
Lighting Mentor: Philip Rezak
Editing Mentor: Graeme Lowry
Director/Camera Operator: Allison Charoni
Director/Camera Operator: Zenia Pakker
Editor: Allison Charoni
Audio Apprentice: Lyric Weiss
Actors:
Alyson Branner: Mom
Edie Branner: Daughter
Bill Bland: Railroad worker
Shaun Carroll: Boss 3
Mary Jo Dugaw: Photographer
Curtis Eastwood: Railroad worker
Jim Lapan: Boss 4
Kent Loomer: Railroad boss
Ron McGaha: Retiring railroad worker
Nolan Palmer: Boss 1
Genevieve Trainor: Boss 2
Lyrics
I remember daddy punchin’ his last timecard
After 40 years workin’ at the railyard
He said work hard and play by the rules
That is what I learned
And his paycheck and his pension
Every cent he had was earned
Now big money suits with friends in high places
Want to cut our Social Security, benefits and wages
They don’t care if you earned it, or if you retire
And if they get their way, we will work until we die (’till we die)
We’ll work, work, work until we die
If my folks raised that same family today
They’d be workin’ twice as hard for the same pay
Something just ain’t right
It’s different than before
Now you work your 40 hours
And still end up dirt poor
Those big money suits with friends in high places
Want to cut our Social Security, benefits and wages
They don’t care if you earned it, or if you retire
And if they get their way, we will work until we die (’till we die)
We’ll work, work, work until we die
Forty years’ hard work should earn the right
To spend time kissin’ grandkids goodnight
I don’t want to work
Until they put me in the ground
So let’s stand up and fight
And turn the U.S.A. around
It’s time our leaders take a stand for workers of all ages
To defend our Social Security, benefits and wages
So stand up and get loud
Or we won’t be getting by
‘Cause if they get their way we’re gonna work, work, work…
Work until we die (’till we die)
We’ll work, work, work until we die (’till we die)
Oh work, work, work until we die
Don’t wanna work, work, work until we die