Loud and Clear – We Deserve a Fair Deal, not a Grand Swindle
On December 10th, International Human Rights Day, Jobs with Justice activists across the country joined with labor and community groups to make headlines and send a unified message to Congress – Protect our Safety Net, Make the Wealthy Pay!
Jobs with Justice local coalitions mobilized and supported at least 18 events in 11 states – including Maine, Indiana, Missouri, and Illinois to stand up for jobs and to protest any potential cuts to Social Security, Medicaid, and Medicare in the budget debate!
In San Francisco, over 60 people – mainly seniors – performed a flash mob dance outside Speaker Pelosi’s office, while in Boston, over 400 people rallied at Faneuil Hall. Others led candlelight vigils, rallies as busy intersections, visited the offices of their Senators, and more. No matter the action – the message was clear: Don’t balance the deficit on the backs of working people!
Following the day of action, our Executive Director Sarita Gupta emceed a press conference to stand up for Medicaid, organized by SEIU, Families USA, HCAN, AFSCME, NEA and Caring Across Generations. The event was sponsored by Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) , and also featured Senators Blumenthal, Ben Cardin (D-MD), Al Franken (D-MN), Jay Rockefeller (D-WA), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Representatives Elijah Cummings (MD-7th), Chris Van Hollen (MD-8th), and Henry A. Waxman (D-CA), These leading Democrats understand that Medicaid is vital for millions of Americans’ health and economic survival – and we urge all Democrats to hold their ground on protecting what we have earned.
As we enter into the final weeks of the year, the pressure will be strong for a grand bargain. We must continue to call on policymakers for grand solutions, not grand swindles. You can quickly make your voice heard by writing and calling your Senators today. And don’t forget to check out our toolkit on the budget debate.
We know that the majority of Americans want and need jobs, care, and economic security. It is time we make make the 1% pay their fair share so that our economy can begin to work for all of us.
