Senator Sanders proves that a progressive agenda is working

And how you can help to continue that progress. The following as an email from Sander showing that the 700,000 signatures on his petition to prevent cuts to social security and Medicare were instrumental in the derailing the regressively controlled House from doing just that. And this despite the incredible amount of money invested to make those cuts. Progressive issues are popular with the majority and when we speak shit happens. Sanders also invites us to join him next Monday evening to organize on these and other progressive issues to keep the progress coming. Join U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders and Social Security Works on Monday, January 27, 2014 at 8:00pm EST.

From Sanders: 

As I hope you know, you have been part of a successful effort to prevent major cuts in Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. Your help is much appreciated.

In November, a number of grass-roots organizations came together and presented Congress with a petition signed by you and more than 700,000 other Americans. The petition was clear: Do not cut Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid. Do not balance the budget on the backs of some of the most vulnerable people in this country -- the elderly, the children, the sick and the poor.

And guess what happened?

Despite an intense and well-orchestrated effort from some of the most powerful special interests in the country;

Despite the expenditure of hundreds of millions of dollars from Wall Street billionaires and their lobbyists;

Despite support from almost every Republican in Congress and some Democrats;

Despite the never-ending carping from the corporate media that Social Security “is bankrupt” and that we need “entitlement reform;”

WE PREVAILED.

While the budget agreement to prevent government shut-downs and partially end sequestration was far weaker than I had wanted, it did not include any cuts to Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid. Why? Because you, and hundreds of thousands of other Americans across the political spectrum -- Democrats, Republicans, Independents -- were loud and clear! You made members of Congress an offer they couldn’t refuse. You told them that you were following what was going on in Washington and that if they cut these life and death programs they would face a heavy political price. You participated in a grass-roots political process -- and you made a difference.

The very good news is that we showed that when ordinary Americans stand together we can defeat some of the most powerful political forces in the country. The bad news is that our opponents are not going away, they are not giving up. They have huge financial resources at their disposal, hundreds of well-paid lobbyists and members of Congress prepared to do their bidding. And their agenda remains the same. Cut Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid. No increase in the minimum wage. No jobs program to lower unemployment. More tax breaks for the rich and large corporations.

Where do we go from here? How do we work together to demand that Congress creates national priorities that protect the interests of the middle class, and not just the millionaires and billionaires? How do we create an economy and governmental programs that work for working families and the most vulnerable Americans, and not just Wall Street and big corporations?

Please join me, Social Security Works, and other coalition partners on Monday, January 27, 2014 at 8:00pm EST for a telephone conference discussion as to how we protect Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid and create an agenda that works for all Americans, and not just powerful special interests.

In 2014 we are not just playing defense. We are not just working to protect Social Security, but expand Social Security and other programs that a disappearing middle class desperately needs.

Please join me on Monday, January 27, 2014 at 8:00pm EST for a discussion on these issues and more. Thank you for all that you do.

Sincerely,

U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders