Remarks: Jack Davis – Standing Alone to Protect Social Security
Congressional Candidate the only Democrat Pledging to support Social Security. (Pledge originally released May 6, 2008)
Hello my friends, thank you for coming today.
Today I would like to talk to you again about Social Security.
For too long Republicans have been trying to scare voters about the solvency of Social Security, and in recent years, President Bush and the Republicans even proposed the partial privatization of the system.
Privatization might have helped the bankers and brokers on Wall Street – and their lobbyists, but it would have been a disaster for regular Americans. If they had their way, many people would have lost their secure retirement in the sub-prime crisis. Thankfully, the Democrats stopped them from breaking the Social Security system – and breaking faith with our seniors and retirees.
As an engineer and owner of a small business, I believe that if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it. Our commitment to our seniors cannot be subjected to the whims of the stock market – that’s why the program is called “Social Security” and not “Social Speculation.”
Yes, our people are living longer than ever before and there will be increasing pressure on our healthcare and retirement systems. Yes, the current generation of retirees can rely on the system being there for them, but there are less clear prospects for this generation of workers or the next. But that doesn’t mean we have to change Social Security which is probably the best government program that we have ever had.
Some politicians think we need to raise the retirement age. Not me. Some politicians think we need to reduce benefits. Not me. Some politicians still think we need some form of privatization. Not me.
The solution to most of our problems is simple – good paying jobs. If we protected our workers instead of the special interests, our families would be stronger, taxes would be lower, and Social Security would be solvent forever.
The politicians have spent a lifetime talking about these things – I have spent my lifetime creating jobs, balancing budgets and getting things done for working men and women in our community – and that’s why I am running for Congress.
*****
Social Security is a lifeline for many Americans. It allows them to plan for their future and it is an investment by regular Americans in their community and in their country.
For many Americans, Social Security is the difference between living in poverty or not. It is the difference between having to work and choosing to enjoy a deserved retirement, especially as many companies are starting to cancel pension and health care programs they promised their employees years ago.
I do not collect Social Security benefits. I love to work, and am at my plant at 7:30 every morning. I have lived the American dream by starting a company and building a life in Western New York. Now I want to help my country again - by fighting for a secure retirement. Not mine - yours.
So today, I make the same pledge I made on May 6th - to stand up for Social Security - and I call on the other candidates to do the same. My pledge has four key components:
* I Pledge to vote against privatization that would destabilize Social Security and take money from hard working New York families.
* I Pledge to protect Social Security disability and survivors' benefits.
* I Pledge to vote against any proposal that would raise the retirement age for seniors.
* I Pledge to vote against any legislation that would cut benefits.
There are those who claim we are facing a crisis. I believe that the crisis isn’t in Social Security. The crisis we face is one where Washington has broken faith in the American worker. The special interests have too much power, and we need a Congressman with the independence and the courage to tell the truth.
We only have a problem if we don’t protect our workers. If we build a better economy, we will have better jobs, a stable tax base, and a stable and solvent Social Security system. And that’s why I am fighting for American jobs.
I'm an optimist, but I know I cannot win this fight alone. I won't ask you for your money, but I am asking for your vote and your ideas. So let’s do it right, and do it right now.
Join the fight for a government that helps people and not just the privileged and powerful.
Join the fight to bring moral integrity, honesty, and ethics to Washington.
And most of all – I need you – all of you - to join the fight to Save American Jobs.
Thank you.