The agreement reached by President Obama with Republican leadership is the wrong way to stimulate our economy. With cuts to Social Security’s dedicated funding stream, it is particularly troubling for women, who rely more on Social Security than men do.
The only good news coming out of the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform’s final meeting today was that the co-chairs failed to muster 14 ‘yes’ votes for their misguided proposal, so it will not be presented to the lame-duck Congress for immediate action. This result was due in part to the hard work of NOW members, Social Security advocates and many others whose calls temporarily shut down the congressional switchboard on Tuesday.
Alan Simpson is not fit to lead the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform. The ugliness of his disrespect for women is matched only by his dogged determination to dismantle Social Security by cutting benefits or increasing the retirement age. The National Organization for Women urges President Obama to take a stand on this issue and replace Simpson immediately.