Interesting difference between Franken's and Klobuchar's "topics"

[question everything]

I emailed both, telling them that Sandy Hook deserves a vote, to please vote for any gun control measure.

These days, one cannot just send an email but one has to go through all the required fields marked with asterisks.

And while Franken's includes Gun Control, Klobuchar's does not.

Well, as long as they get the message.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

1. I wrote e-mails to both senators about the Chained CPI

I got form e-mails back from both of them.

Franken's said: "Thank you for submitting your message to my U.S. Senate office. Each week, several thousand Minnesotans send me their thoughts and suggestions on legislation and important issues facing our nation. This impressive volume is a testament to the Minnesotan traditions of grassroots activism and civic participation that distinguish our state. I closely track the concerns that are expressed in your letters and emails, and will answer them as soon as possible."

Not a problem. I wasn't expecting a personal reply.

Klobuchar's essentialliy reiterated what was on her website, saying that SS was important to seniors and (here's the worrisome, weasely part it must be stabilized for the future. In other words, "I'm taking wiggle room to vote for the Chained CPI if that's the way the wind is blowing."

[question everything]

2. This is why, on Franken's site, at least, I select the "no response needed'

This prevents aggravation or worse, when I get a "reply" - from Klobuchar - that has nothing to do with the topic that I raised, giving an impression that a computer was guided by "key words."

But I did get the same email as you.

Sigh. I still remember when I first moved here, in 2002, not even registered yet, I sent an email to the late Senator Wellstone and got a coherent response.

[a kennedy]

3. I wrote to both regarding the Chained CPI also.....

got a reply back from Amy, but not from Al. But I always get the requests for money.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

4. Actually, I got a reply from Franken today:

It says, in part:
"The fact is that Social Security has not contributed to our national debt. Benefits are paid from the Social Security trust fund, which is primarily financed by payroll taxes paid by workers and employers. From 1983 through 2009, the trust fund took in more revenue each year than it paid out in benefits. In the past three years, the trust fund paid out more in benefits than it took in through payroll taxes. However, due to past surpluses, the trust fund can continue to pay out benefits in full through 2033. With smart and fair modifications, we can ensure the solvency of Social Security far into the future.

To ensure that Social Security benefits maintain their value over time, Social Security beneficiaries periodically receive a cost-of-living adjustment, known as a COLA. In recent budget negotiations, some have proposed replacing the current measure of inflation in the COLA formula with chained CPI, an alternative inflation measure. The problem is that chained CPI does not accurately reflect the living costs of seniors who spend much of their income on prescriptions and healthcare. Using chained CPI would decrease the value of benefits over time, and I have deep concerns about the effect this would have on Social Security beneficiaries, especially low-income seniors who depend on Social Security as their main source of income."

"

[Eric J in MN]

5. Thanks, I'm glad Franken is against Chained CPI (NT)

NT

[question everything]

6. Both Franken and Keith Ellison object

From the strib

But while the president’s budget may offer substantial overtures to Republicans, who long have pressed for entitlement cuts, the White House faces significant opposition from some Minnesota Democrats and others in Congress who are positioning themselves as defenders of the sick and elderly.

Chief among them is U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison, chief deputy Democratic Whip and co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, which is in the forefront of liberal efforts to block any proposals that would lower cost-of-living increases and raise age requirements.

Another prominent Minnesota voice is U.S. Sen. Al Franken, who has warned against budget savings that might “shift costs to our seniors, or parents raising children with disabilities.”

http://www.startribune.com/politics/national/202242381.html

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When Franken was running he was telling the story about his widowed mother-in-law who was supported by survivor benefit from the SSA.