Rallies are being held to celebrate the anniversary of Social Security and call on Congress to protect its benefits. A group of individuals in Plattsburgh were in front of the Social Security office on Monday to highlight the importance of the federal program and express their concerns about the Republican vice presidential selection.
Tuesday marks the 77th anniversary of the signing of the Social Security Act. There are many who are concerned that the benefits that have been in place for over seven decades are threatened by proposals in Congress that would privatize the system and change benefits. Clinton County Legislator Tom Wood is the Area Representative for the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare. He organized a rally Monday in Plattsburgh.
George Baker of Plattsburgh says it’s of supreme importance to protect Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.
In Albany, members of the statewide “Restore the American Premise Coalition” held a Social Security rally at the O’Brien Federal Building Tuesday morning to celebrate the program and caution against cuts. Citizen Action of NYCommunications Director Charlie Albanetti says they also released a new report.
Albanetti says a “movement of concern” is increasing in the wake of Paul Ryan being named the Republican Vice Presidential candidate.
The Ryan budget proposes a 19 percent cut in funding for education, environmental protection, social services, transportation and public health beginning in 2014.
