Liberal groups mobilize for ‘fiscal cliff’ fight over Social Security, Medicare
With President Obama seeking a deal to avoid the fiscal cliff, liberal groups that campaigned aggressively for his reelection are mobilizing to oppose concessions they fear he could make on Medicare and Social Security.
Leaders of the nations labor unions and other liberal groups are planning Tuesday to press Obama at the White House to reject the kind of cuts in Medicare and Social Security that he has previously offered to make. On Thursday, left-leaning lawmakers and seniors groups plan to rally on Capitol Hill against any changes to entitlements.
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We will make it very clear we will not be supportive of cuts to Medicare and Social Security, said Sen. Bernard Sanders (Vt.), an independent who caucuses with the Democrats. It would be a huge shock and disappointment if the president forgot the reality that he just won a major victory.
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We will give the president and his allies in Congress all the support and cover in the world in the fight for no more tax cuts for the rich. That includes, in particular, supporting the presidents position that its better to negotiate past December 31 st than do a deal thats bad for the country, said a top labor official who spoke on the condition of anonymity to comment ahead Wednesdays meeting. On the other hand, the answer for those who want to cut social insurance benefits in an economic crisis and increase economic insecurity is, Hell no.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/liberal-groups-mobilize-for-fiscal-cliff-fight-over-social-security-medicare/2012/11/12/b2c98f64-2cf7-11e2-89d4-040c9330702a_print.html