The Critical Role of Elders in the Fight Against Authoritarianism
by Scot Nakagawa

"The fight against authoritarianism is often framed as a battle for the future, with young people leading the charge. But the elderly, of which I am one at 64 years of age—particularly those who rely on Social Security, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), and Medicare—are not only among those most at risk but also among the most strategically powerful constituencies in the resistance."

one caveat: Nakagawa mentions AARP as part of organizing capacity of elders, but AARP shills for the insurance industry and promotes medicare DisAdvantage, so watch out for them. Otherwise, many good points here. Read it all at
https://antiauthoritarianplaybook.substack.com/p/the-critical-role-of-elders-in-the

see also Social Security Works:
https://actionnetwork.org/event_campaigns/hands-off-social-security

#SaveSocialSecurity
#DisabilityJustice

What is DOGE doing to Social Security?

From the Economic Policy Institute:

Social Security faces a long-term shortfall that would be easy to fix if Republican lawmakers listened to voters. Republican and Democratic voters alike support addressing the shortfall through revenue increases, not benefit cuts. Options for raising revenue include eliminating the cap on taxable earnings, so billionaires like Musk no longer contribute the same amount to Social Security as doctors and lawyers. Claims that Social Security is in crisis—and attempts to manufacture a crisis—serve to distract from this popular option.

The alleged rationale for putting an unelected billionaire and his team in charge of SSA and other government functions is rooting out waste. But Social Security’s administrative costs are tiny—less than 1% of spending—and improper payments are similarly inconsequential. Meanwhile, a top priority of the Trump Administration is extending tax cuts that overwhelmingly flow to wealthy people like Musk.

If it ain’t broke, DOGE will break it. As former Commissioner Martin O’Malley warned, “When they can break it, they can say, ‘Aha! We told you! This program never worked, and we were just ripping the band aid off.’” Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren told Frank Bisignano, the self-described “DOGE person” who Trump has nominated to run the agency, that the only way to significantly reduce Social Security spending without Congress instituting unpopular benefit cuts is to make it very hard for people to access them. If this makes people frustrated with the agency, that’s a plus for an administration that wants you to believe that government is broken.

https://www.epi.org/blog/what-is-doge-doing-to-social-security/

take action: https://actionnetwork.org/event_campaigns/hands-off-social-security

#SaveSocialSecurity
#DisabilityJustice