James Roosevelt Jr., Rep. Mike Doyle, PA Senior Launch “Pennsylvania Seniors to Save Social Security” Coalition

Pennsylvania Seniors to Save Social Security call on Republican candidates to reject the Toomey-Bush plan to privatize Social Security

Harrisburg, PA – Today, the Pennsylvania Democratic Party launched the “Pennsylvania Seniors to Save Social Security” coalition in a press conference call with James Roosevelt, Jr., grandson of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Rep. Mike Doyle (D-PA) and a Pennsylvania senior. For the next six weeks, the coalition will hold events throughout Pennsylvania, calling on Republican candidates to stand up for seniors and reject the Toomey-Bush plan to privatize Social Security. The coalition will focus on reaching out to older Pennsylvanians to educate them about Republicans’ plans to privatize Social Security through phonebanks and other voter outreach. The coalition is made up of seniors throughout the Commonwealth.

“Social Security has been one of the most successful programs ever instituted,” said James Roosevelt, Jr. “Millions of seniors depend on Social Security benefits to help make ends meet, and Republicans’ plans to privatize Social Security would put their retirement savings at risk. I’m greatly encouraged that this group is being developed to hold Pat Toomey and Republican congressional candidates accountable for their plans to threaten Social Security.”

“Pat Toomey was one of the biggest supporters of President George W. Bush’s plan to privatize Social Security and many are concerned that Republicans are again advocating for Social Security privatization,” said Rep. Mike Doyle. “It’s important to educate voters about Republican plans to privatize Social Security, which is exactly what this group will be doing.”

“If I didn’t have my Social Security benefits, I’d be in a dreadful financial situation,” said Barbara Cahill, a Pennsylvania Social Security beneficiary and a member of the coalition. “I’m happy to be part of this coalition, and I look forward to reaching out to my fellow Pennsylvanians about this important issue.”

As the President of the Wall Street-backed Club for Growth, Pat Toomey was the loudest cheerleader for President Bush’s risky scheme to privatize Social Security and put seniors’ retirement savings in the hands of reckless Wall Street bankers. And Pat Toomey is still fighting to privatize Social Security.

Pat Toomey has campaigned with Republican candidates for Congress throughout Pennsylvania. Some have already jumped at the opportunity to support the Toomey-Bush plan to privatize Social Security and while others have flip-flopped and some have even campaigned on an agenda to cut benefits for future generations. One thing is clear: Pennsylvania seniors can’t afford Pat Toomey’s risky plan to privatize Social Security. Republican candidates for Congress should stand up for Pennsylvania seniors and reject the plan.

If the Toomey-Bush plan to privatize Social Security had been in place the past couple of years, workers could have lost as much as 50 percent of their Social Security retirement savings.

Pennsylvania has one of the largest senior populations currently receiving Social Security benefits. Over 1.8 million seniors in Pennsylvania currently receive social security benefits. Pennsylvania is 6th in the nation for percentage of population receiving social security benefits. [SSA.gov]

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