Labor & Employment Law

Poll: 80 Percent Say Don?t Cut Social Security

By James Parks

Congressional Republicans listen up. In a new poll, more than eight in 10 likely voters across the political spectrum say they oppose cutting Social Security to reduce the national deficit. Reducing the deficit through raising the retirement age for Social Security and other cuts are  key proposals by the incoming Republican congressional leadership.  That finding goes across party lines among those who identify themselves as Democrats, Republicans, Independents and tea party members.

The poll released today by the Strengthen Social Security campaign showed the cuts are opposed by 83 percent of Democratic respondents, 82 percent of Republicans, 78 percent of  Independents and 74 percent of tea party members.

The poll also revealed that candidates who made Social Security an issue often saved their seats. Among voters who say Social Security was their most important election issue 55 percent voted for a Democratic congressional candidate and just 42 percent voted for a Republican candidate.

In a statement, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka says:

Proposals to cut Social Security benefits and give the wealthiest Americans over $700 billion in wasteful tax breaks won?t help the economy.  Let?s be clear.  We have a jobs crisis, not a short term deficit crisis.

The poll was conducted by Lake Research Associates from Oct.  31 through Nov. 2, 2010 from over 1,200 likely voters nationwide. Full poll results are available here.

Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.), co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, puts it this way:

We cannot throw the future of the American retirement system under the bus to put more money in the country?s wealthiest pockets or further slash taxes for the richest 2 percent. Proponents of cutting Social Security are right that this is about fiscal responsibility, and the fiscally responsible thing to do is strengthen rather than weaken the most fundamental economic support program this country has ever had.

Congressional Black Caucus Chair Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) said:

Safeguarding Social Security is more imperative now than ever. Social Security keeps 20 million Americans out of poverty ? many of whom are people of color. As we move into the 112th Congress?we must work together to ensure that Social Security remains intact and solvent for generations to come.

Full post as published by AFL-CIO NOW BLOG on November 18, 2010 (boomark / email).