Debt Blackmail Could Damage Economy and Undermine Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid

Washington, DC -- Campaign for America’s Future, MoveOn.Org, Rebuild the Dream, and a large ad hoc coalition of advocacy groups, are asking Americans to act now to prevent a disastrous debt deal that could harm the economy and undermine Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. The groups are urging people to email [1] Congress today and to attend a protest on Tuesday at noon [2] at every local Congressional district office throughout the country.

Roger Hickey, co-director of the Campaign for America’s Future said, “Washington Republicans are doing everything they can to protect tax breaks for billionaires and big corporations -- they're driving us closer to economic catastrophe. They would rather break our government's Social Security and health care commitments; create chaos in the global financial markets and throw millions more out of work than accept any compromise. Now, with the fate of our economy hanging in the balance, it is absolutely crucial that we send a message to Congress, today and tomorrow, that says `Don't Destroy the American Dream.’”

Campaign for America’s Future is asking people to send a message today Members of Congress to reject cuts to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid – and to support raising the debt limit immediately and without conditions. Then, on Tuesday July 26 at noon local time, CAF is urging activists to join MoveOn.org, Rebuild the Dream and thousands across America for the "Don't Destroy the American Dream" protest at every local congressional office in the country.

Hickey said that Campaign for America’s Future joins AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka’s call to urge the Congress to pass legislation extending the debt limit past November 2012 immediately and without conditions.

Robert Borosage, Campaign for America’s Future’s co-director said, “We will demand that politicians stop holding America hostage to protect tax breaks for millionaires and corporations. And we will show our full support for the Members of Congress who've stood up in defense of vital programs like Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and we urge them to keep standing strong for the core principle that those who do well in America should do well by America.”