Oregon United to Protect Social Security's blog

Please click on the full text of this blog for events this week in Medford (9/14), Eugene (9/15) and Bend (9/16).

If you live nearby, please join us at any of these events! Following the event details, you can find the latest legislative update. At these three press conferences, Oregon United to Protect Social Security will be releasing a new report produced by one of our national coalition partners, the Institute for America's Future, that shows just how costly the Republican Social Security privatization plan will be to Oregon tax payers while bloating the bureaucracy. This is in light of the continued effort by the Republican leadership to try to privatize Social Security, now even using the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina as yet another excuse to do so! (---White House Deputy Press Secretary Trent Duffy - 9/6/05)

NEW* MEHLMAN in Tigard, OR - 3 PM PDT: Kicking off Hispanic Heritage Month, Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Ken Mehlman will travel to Tigard, Oregon on Wednesday, Sept. 14, to deliver remarks to Hispanic community and business leaders. [RNC Press Release]

Click full text for more info...

Senator Gordon Smith:
“Private Accounts Will Not Save Social Security.”
Will Not Commit to Any Social Security Legislation Without Bipartisan Support.

Click here to read the full text of the Associated Press article as printed on the Corvallis Gazette-Times on August 11.
http://www.gazettetimes.com/articles/2005/08/12/news/oregon/friore01.txt

President Bush on the 70th Anniversary of Social Security:
“Determined as Ever to Give It a Makeover”

Yep. This President just does not know when to quit. The American people have spoken loudly and consistently against privatizing of Social Security as we celebrate the 70th anniversary of the most successful government program in America that has lifted millions of senior citizens, people with disabilities and surviving widows and children out of poverty. Instead of listening to the united voice of the American people who do not wish for Social Security privatization, President Bush and some Republican members of Congress are rolling up their sleeves to try to squeak past a privatization bill in the fall.

Happy 70th Birthday Social Security!

When:
Saturday, August 13, 2005; 11:30 AM
Where:
South Park Block F (Between SW Park Ave. & 9th Ave. on SW Market St.)
Who:
Congressman Earl Blumenauer, as the Master of Ceremony
“Uncle Sam” and “Aunt FICA” will perform a live costume skit
Oregonians who will give thanks to Social Security for keeping them strong

LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS TO HELP SET UP AND DO LAST MINUTE RECRUITING FOR THE EVENT!!
Meet at 10:00 AM at the event site. Look/ask for the event organizer, Ed Yoon, a short (5'5") Asian-American male with bleached hair. You can also call him on his cell phone at (213) 503-5455 if you can't find him.

NEWS: Bush Says Not Backing Down on Social Security
Full Article: http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050722/ap_on_go_pr_wh/bush...

In case you were thinking that the President has given up on privatizing Social Security, well, think again.

Ed Yoon’s three personal criticism of the President’s approach on Social Security, as per this article:
1. If the President has to rely on his mom to help bail him out of a deep hole he made, then it begs the question: “What is he, a kid?”
2. If the President has to limit his audience to an invitation-only crowd to talk about his #1 domestic policy priority, then it begs the question: “What’s he afraid of from the general public?”
3. If the President’s family is worried about retirement security while earning six and seven figure incomes, then there must be no hope for those earning less. (Wait, there is – don’t privatize Social Security!)

As you may know, several groups, including Democracy for Oregon, have partnered together to organize the 70th Anniversary of Social Security "main event" celebration in Portland at the South Park Block (between SW Market and Park) on August 13, 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM. There will be lots of free food, information on Social Security, speakers and of course, the birthday cake. The event is open to the public and everyone is invited to attend.

We are also looking for HOUSE or PICNIC PARTY HOSTS for smaller satellite parties outside of the Portland Tri-County area on 8/13 or 8/14. All it takes is a few friends, a cake and a potluck. There is a 70th Anniversary PARTY KIT that you can get by visiting either www.americansforsocialsecurity.com or by e-mailing Ed Yoon @ edyoon77@yahoo.com at the Oregon United to Protect Social Security office. The KIT is a .zip file containing all the how-to's - an informative house party plan of action - and printable birthday cards and banner. If you are interested in hosting a house or a picnic party, please let Ed Yoon know. Thank you!