8/8/2019 Newsletter Grey Panthers

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Were an intergenerational, multi-issue group working to create a society that puts the needs

People over Profit.Responsibility over Power.People over Profit.Responsibility over Power.People over Profit.Responsibility over Power.People over Profit.Responsibility over Power.Democracy over Institutions!Democracy over Institutions!Democracy over Institutions!Democracy over Institutions!

40404040thththth Anniversary CelebrationAnniversary CelebrationAnniversary CelebrationAnniversary CelebrationReport from Washington, D.C.

As your Delegate, I represented the Gray Pan-As your Delegate, I represented the Gray Pan-As your Delegate, I represented the Gray Pan-As your Delegate, I represented the Gray Pan-thers of Texas and the South West Region atthers of Texas and the South West Region atthers of Texas and the South West Region atthers of Texas and the South West Region atour National Executive Boards Semiour National Executive Boards Semiour National Executive Boards Semiour National Executive Boards Semi----annualannualannualannualmeeting, Nov. 5meeting, Nov. 5meeting, Nov. 5meeting, Nov. 5----8, 2010, in Washington D.C. In8, 2010, in Washington D.C. In8, 2010, in Washington D.C. In8, 2010, in Washington D.C. Inaddition to a review of the Nationwide 40addition to a review of the Nationwide 40addition to a review of the Nationwide 40addition to a review of the Nationwide 40 thththth Anni-Anni-Anni-Anni-versary Celebration of our founding back inversary Celebration of our founding back inversary Celebration of our founding back inversary Celebration of our founding back in1970, we focused on three areas.1970, we focused on three areas.1970, we focused on three areas.1970, we focused on three areas.

UrgentUrgentUrgentUrgent immediate actionimmediate actionimmediate actionimmediate action to increase Gray Pan-to increase Gray Pan-to increase Gray Pan-to increase Gray Pan-ther Organizations financial resources at bothther Organizations financial resources at bothther Organizations financial resources at bothther Organizations financial resources at bothnational and regional network levels to meetnational and regional network levels to meetnational and regional network levels to meetnational and regional network levels to meetthe increased demands facing us in 2011.the increased demands facing us in 2011.the increased demands facing us in 2011.the increased demands facing us in 2011.

(2)2)2)2) ChallengesChallengesChallengesChallenges to Gray Panthers and our con-to Gray Panthers and our con-to Gray Panthers and our con-to Gray Panthers and our con-

stituencies, resulting from the elections and thestituencies, resulting from the elections and thestituencies, resulting from the elections and thestituencies, resulting from the elections and thethreats inherent in the sothreats inherent in the sothreats inherent in the sothreats inherent in the so----called bicalled bicalled bicalled bi----partisanpartisanpartisanpartisan Deficit Com-Deficit Com-Deficit Com-Deficit Com-missions,missions,missions,missions, millionaire friendly, report. But the reportsmillionaire friendly, report. But the reportsmillionaire friendly, report. But the reportsmillionaire friendly, report. But the reportsoutrageous assault on Social Security, Medicare, Vetsoutrageous assault on Social Security, Medicare, Vetsoutrageous assault on Social Security, Medicare, Vetsoutrageous assault on Social Security, Medicare, VetsBenefits, Mortgage Interest Deductibility, and a host ofBenefits, Mortgage Interest Deductibility, and a host ofBenefits, Mortgage Interest Deductibility, and a host ofBenefits, Mortgage Interest Deductibility, and a host ofother programs directed at the more vulnerable popula-other programs directed at the more vulnerable popula-other programs directed at the more vulnerable popula-other programs directed at the more vulnerable popula-tions in our society while favoring the uppertions in our society while favoring the uppertions in our society while favoring the uppertions in our society while favoring the upper----crust, alsocrust, alsocrust, alsocrust, alsocreatecreatecreatecreate

(3)3)3)3) OpportunitiesOpportunitiesOpportunitiesOpportunities to recruit and increase our membershipto recruit and increase our membershipto recruit and increase our membershipto recruit and increase our membershipand boost fund raising activities.and boost fund raising activities.and boost fund raising activities.and boost fund raising activities.

In the midst of difficulties and troubles are the seedsIn the midst of difficulties and troubles are the seedsIn the midst of difficulties and troubles are the seedsIn the midst of difficulties and troubles are the seedsof opportunities and achievement.of opportunities and achievement.of opportunities and achievement.of opportunities and achievement.

(Go toGo toGo toGo to www.graypanthers.orgwww.graypanthers.orgwww.graypanthers.orgwww.graypanthers.org for 40for 40for 40for 40 thththth Anniversary Cele-Anniversary Cele-Anniversary Cele-Anniversary Cele-bration Activites/Events.)bration Activites/Events.)bration Activites/Events.)bration Activites/Events.)

National Board ActionNational Board ActionNational Board ActionNational Board Action(s)(s)(s)(s) included visits to US Senateincluded visits to US Senateincluded visits to US Senateincluded visits to US Senate& House Members offices during two days, (Monday && House Members offices during two days, (Monday && House Members offices during two days, (Monday && House Members offices during two days, (Monday &Tuesday Nov. 11Tuesday Nov. 11Tuesday Nov. 11Tuesday Nov. 11----12), as a12), as a12), as a12), as a preemptive strike,preemptive strike,preemptive strike,preemptive strike, before thebefore thebefore thebefore therelease of the Deficit Commission's report, to stress ourrelease of the Deficit Commission's report, to stress ourrelease of the Deficit Commission's report, to stress ourrelease of the Deficit Commission's report, to stress ouropposition to its hurtful and destructive impactopposition to its hurtful and destructive impactopposition to its hurtful and destructive impactopposition to its hurtful and destructive impact ---- ---- ----

40th Anniversary Celebration40th Anniversary Celebration40th Anniversary Celebration40th Anniversary Celebration Continued page 2Continued page 2Continued page 2Continued page 2

Assault Social Security througAssault Social Security througAssault Social Security througAssault Social Security throug

Phony Deficit Reduction!Phony Deficit Reduction!Phony Deficit Reduction!Phony Deficit Reduction!According to the Progressive ChangeAccording to the Progressive ChangeAccording to the Progressive ChangeAccording to the Progressive ChangeCommittee, The bipartisan deficit reduc-Committee, The bipartisan deficit reduc-Committee, The bipartisan deficit reduc-Committee, The bipartisan deficit reduc-tion commissiontion commissiontion commissiontion commission ---- appointed by Presidentappointed by Presidentappointed by Presidentappointed by PresidentObama, and led by millionaires like rightObama, and led by millionaires like rightObama, and led by millionaires like rightObama, and led by millionaires like right----winwinwinwin

former Senator Alan Simpsonformer Senator Alan Simpsonformer Senator Alan Simpsonformer Senator Alan Simpson ---- have madehave madehave madehave madetheir ideas public...their ideas public...their ideas public...their ideas public...they are ridiculousthey are ridiculousthey are ridiculousthey are ridiculous....

They recommend cutting Social SecurityThey recommend cutting Social SecurityThey recommend cutting Social SecurityThey recommend cutting Social Securitybenefits and raising the retirement age to 69benefits and raising the retirement age to 69benefits and raising the retirement age to 69benefits and raising the retirement age to 69We need to respond fast to make sure thisWe need to respond fast to make sure thisWe need to respond fast to make sure thisWe need to respond fast to make sure thisgoes nowhere. House Progressive Caucusgoes nowhere. House Progressive Caucusgoes nowhere. House Progressive Caucusgoes nowhere. House Progressive CaucusChair Raul Grijalva...has boldly organizedChair Raul Grijalva...has boldly organizedChair Raul Grijalva...has boldly organizedChair Raul Grijalva...has boldly organizedover 100 of his colleagues to fight this pro-over 100 of his colleagues to fight this pro-over 100 of his colleagues to fight this pro-over 100 of his colleagues to fight this pro-

posal.posal.posal.posal. Protect Social SecuProtect Social SecuProtect Social SecuProtect Social Security!rity!rity!rity!

Although Social Security has no impact on the FederaAlthough Social Security has no impact on the FederaAlthough Social Security has no impact on the FederaAlthough Social Security has no impact on the FederaDeficit, President Obamas bipartisan Deficit ReducDeficit, President Obamas bipartisan Deficit ReducDeficit, President Obamas bipartisan Deficit ReducDeficit, President Obamas bipartisan Deficit Reduction Commission has proposed a vicious slashing oftion Commission has proposed a vicious slashing oftion Commission has proposed a vicious slashing oftion Commission has proposed a vicious slashing ofSocial Security. Below are excerpts from a letter coSocial Security. Below are excerpts from a letter coSocial Security. Below are excerpts from a letter coSocial Security. Below are excerpts from a letter co----signed by 100 members of Congress.signed by 100 members of Congress.signed by 100 members of Congress.signed by 100 members of Congress.

Dear Mr. President,Dear Mr. President,Dear Mr. President,Dear Mr. President, We oppose any cuts to Social Security benefits, incluWe oppose any cuts to Social Security benefits, incluWe oppose any cuts to Social Security benefits, incluWe oppose any cuts to Social Security benefits, incluing raising the retirement age. We also oppose anying raising the retirement age. We also oppose anying raising the retirement age. We also oppose anying raising the retirement age. We also oppose anyeffort to privatize Social Security, in whole or in part.effort to privatize Social Security, in whole or in part.effort to privatize Social Security, in whole or in part.effort to privatize Social Security, in whole or in part.

Your have charged the National Commission on FiscaYour have charged the National Commission on FiscaYour have charged the National Commission on FiscaYour have charged the National Commission on Fisca

Responsibility and Reform with proposing recommenResponsibility and Reform with proposing recommenResponsibility and Reform with proposing recommenResponsibility and Reform with proposing recommendations that improve the longdations that improve the longdations that improve the longdations that improve the long----term fiscal outlook andterm fiscal outlook andterm fiscal outlook andterm fiscal outlook andaddress the growth of entitlement spending. It is ouraddress the growth of entitlement spending. It is ouraddress the growth of entitlement spending. It is ouraddress the growth of entitlement spending. It is our

view that Social Securityview that Social Securityview that Social Securityview that Social Security which is prohibitedwhich is prohibitedwhich is prohibitedwhich is prohibitedby law from adding to the nationalby law from adding to the nationalby law from adding to the nationalby law from adding to the nationalbudget deficitbudget deficitbudget deficitbudget deficitdoes not belong as part of thosedoes not belong as part of thosedoes not belong as part of thosedoes not belong as part of thoserecommendations.recommendations.recommendations.recommendations.

Assault On Social SecurityAssault On Social SecurityAssault On Social SecurityAssault On Social Security Continued page 2Continued page 2Continued page 2Continued page 2

Gray Panthers of Austin, 3710 Cedar St, Austin, Tx 78705Gray Panthers of Austin, 3710 Cedar St, Austin, Tx 78705Gray Panthers of Austin, 3710 Cedar St, Austin, Tx 78705Gray Panthers of Austin, 3710 Cedar St, Austin, Tx 78705----1450,1450,1450,1450,Contact: Gary Dugger 512Contact: Gary Dugger 512Contact: Gary Dugger 512Contact: Gary Dugger 512----225225225225----4789, ofc: 5124789, ofc: 5124789, ofc: 5124789, ofc: 512----458458458458----3738 garydugger@austin.rr.com3738 garydugger@austin.rr.com3738 garydugger@austin.rr.com3738 garydugger@austin.rr.com

Urgent! Please Fill out the enclosed Membership form & return asap. Your country needs you now.

We are the risktakers; We arethe innovators;

We are thedevelopers ofnew models.maggie kuhn,

Founder

8/8/2019 Newsletter Grey Panthers

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Assault Continued from Page 1Assault Continued from Page 1Assault Continued from Page 1Assault Continued from Page 1

By 2023, Social Security will have built up aBy 2023, Social Security will have built up aBy 2023, Social Security will have built up aBy 2023, Social Security will have built up a $4.3 trillion$4.3 trillion$4.3 trillion$4.3 trillionsurplussurplussurplussurplus and, without any action, can pay at least 75% ofand, without any action, can pay at least 75% ofand, without any action, can pay at least 75% ofand, without any action, can pay at least 75% ofall benefits thereafter.all benefits thereafter.all benefits thereafter.all benefits thereafter.

Because Social Security is funded separatelyBecause Social Security is funded separatelyBecause Social Security is funded separatelyBecause Social Security is funded separatelyfrom thefrom thefrom thefrom thegeneral treasury and has no borrowing authority,general treasury and has no borrowing authority,general treasury and has no borrowing authority,general treasury and has no borrowing authority, it hasit hasit hasit hasnot contributed to the federal deficit.not contributed to the federal deficit.not contributed to the federal deficit.not contributed to the federal deficit.

Despite these facts, some Commission members haveDespite these facts, some Commission members haveDespite these facts, some Commission members haveDespite these facts, some Commission members haverepeatedly alleged the need to cut Social Security forrepeatedly alleged the need to cut Social Security forrepeatedly alleged the need to cut Social Security forrepeatedly alleged the need to cut Social Security for

budgetary reasons.budgetary reasons.budgetary reasons.budgetary reasons.For 75 years, Social Security has been a promise toFor 75 years, Social Security has been a promise toFor 75 years, Social Security has been a promise toFor 75 years, Social Security has been a promise tothe American people that if they work hard and paythe American people that if they work hard and paythe American people that if they work hard and paythe American people that if they work hard and paytheir fair share, they will have a financially secure re-their fair share, they will have a financially secure re-their fair share, they will have a financially secure re-their fair share, they will have a financially secure re-tirement. In communities across this country, Socialtirement. In communities across this country, Socialtirement. In communities across this country, Socialtirement. In communities across this country, SocialSecurity benefits are modest, averaging less thatSecurity benefits are modest, averaging less thatSecurity benefits are modest, averaging less thatSecurity benefits are modest, averaging less that$13,000 a year, but they are vital to the vast majority of$13,000 a year, but they are vital to the vast majority of$13,000 a year, but they are vital to the vast majority of$13,000 a year, but they are vital to the vast majority ofAmericans who receive them.Americans who receive them.Americans who receive them.Americans who receive them.

Cutting Social Security benefits further than they areCutting Social Security benefits further than they areCutting Social Security benefits further than they areCutting Social Security benefits further than they arealready being cut by raising the retirement age from 65already being cut by raising the retirement age from 65already being cut by raising the retirement age from 65already being cut by raising the retirement age from 65to 67 would create needless hardship for millions ofto 67 would create needless hardship for millions ofto 67 would create needless hardship for millions ofto 67 would create needless hardship for millions ofvulnerable Americans.vulnerable Americans.vulnerable Americans.vulnerable Americans.

This is especially true in the face of an economicThis is especially true in the face of an economicThis is especially true in the face of an economicThis is especially true in the face of an economicdownturn that has wiped out a trillion of dollars thatdownturn that has wiped out a trillion of dollars thatdownturn that has wiped out a trillion of dollars thatdownturn that has wiped out a trillion of dollars thatAmericans were relying on for their retirement securityAmericans were relying on for their retirement securityAmericans were relying on for their retirement securityAmericans were relying on for their retirement securityand the increased dismantlement of the private and puand the increased dismantlement of the private and puband the increased dismantlement of the private and puand the increased dismantlement of the private and public pension systems Raul Grijalva (Dlic pension systems Raul Grijalva (Dlic pension systems Raul Grijalva (Dlic pension systems Raul Grijalva (D----AZ)AZ)AZ)AZ)

(Go to(Go to(Go to(Go tohttp://act.boldprogressives.org/surgey/http://act.boldprogressives.org/surgey/http://act.boldprogressives.org/surgey/http://act.boldprogressives.org/surgey/ssletter_mail/?akid=2683ssletter_mail/?akid=2683ssletter_mail/?akid=2683ssletter_mail/?akid=2683for complete list of Congressfor complete list of Congressfor complete list of Congressfor complete list of Congressmembers who have signed this letter!)members who have signed this letter!)members who have signed this letter!)members who have signed this letter!)

WANT TO REDUCE THE DEFICIT?WANT TO REDUCE THE DEFICIT?WANT TO REDUCE THE DEFICIT?WANT TO REDUCE THE DEFICIT?

There are plenThere are plenThere are plenThere are plenof other ways to reduce the deficit.of other ways to reduce the deficit.of other ways to reduce the deficit.of other ways to reduce the deficit.Talking Points MemoTalking Points MemoTalking Points MemoTalking Points Memo reported on a poll asking voters freported on a poll asking voters freported on a poll asking voters freported on a poll asking voters f

their preference:their preference:their preference:their preference:

43% say raise taxes on the wealthy43% say raise taxes on the wealthy43% say raise taxes on the wealthy43% say raise taxes on the wealthy27% say cut the huge military budge27% say cut the huge military budge27% say cut the huge military budge27% say cut the huge military budge

Only 12% say cut Social SecurityOnly 12% say cut Social SecurityOnly 12% say cut Social SecurityOnly 12% say cut Social Security

Yet this bipartisan commission ofYet this bipartisan commission ofYet this bipartisan commission ofYet this bipartisan commission ofmillionaires recommends exactly the oppositmillionaires recommends exactly the oppositmillionaires recommends exactly the oppositmillionaires recommends exactly the opposit

of what the public wants.of what the public wants.of what the public wants.of what the public wants.

Newsletter of the Austin Gray Panthers

40th Anniversary Celebration Continued40th Anniversary Celebration Continued40th Anniversary Celebration Continued40th Anniversary Celebration Continued

andandandand encourage ...encourage ...encourage ...encourage ...LocalLocalLocalLocal////RegionalRegionalRegionalRegional Gray Panther Network Action(s)Gray Panther Network Action(s)Gray Panther Network Action(s)Gray Panther Network Action(s)to immediately add to their local to immediately add to their local to immediately add to their local to immediately add to their local EventsEventsEventsEvents posted in posted in posted in posted inwww.graypanthers.orgwww.graypanthers.orgwww.graypanthers.orgwww.graypanthers.org 2010 Actions/Activities to2010 Actions/Activities to2010 Actions/Activities to2010 Actions/Activities togenerategenerategenerategenerate maximummaximummaximummaximum grassroots attention, concern,grassroots attention, concern,grassroots attention, concern,grassroots attention, concern,and engagement in Gray Panther/Coalition advocacyand engagement in Gray Panther/Coalition advocacyand engagement in Gray Panther/Coalition advocacyand engagement in Gray Panther/Coalition advocacyto accomplishto accomplishto accomplishto accomplish(a) expanded membership and(a) expanded membership and(a) expanded membership and(a) expanded membership and(b) increased funds(b) increased funds(b) increased funds(b) increased funds

to support Gray Panthers Deficit Commission fight!to support Gray Panthers Deficit Commission fight!to support Gray Panthers Deficit Commission fight!to support Gray Panthers Deficit Commission fight!

TheTheTheThe Austin Gray PantherAustin Gray PantherAustin Gray PantherAustin Gray Panther website,website,website,website,www.graypanthersaustin.orgwww.graypanthersaustin.orgwww.graypanthersaustin.orgwww.graypanthersaustin.org, has very helpful addi-, has very helpful addi-, has very helpful addi-, has very helpful addi-tional information in these and other areas.tional information in these and other areas.tional information in these and other areas.tional information in these and other areas.

Go there for details and directions to our upcomingGo there for details and directions to our upcomingGo there for details and directions to our upcomingGo there for details and directions to our upcomingHoliday Party/MeetingHoliday Party/MeetingHoliday Party/MeetingHoliday Party/Meeting, December 5, at Lyons Gardens, December 5, at Lyons Gardens, December 5, at Lyons Gardens, December 5, at Lyons GardensSenior Center, 2720 Lyons Road in Austin.Senior Center, 2720 Lyons Road in Austin.Senior Center, 2720 Lyons Road in Austin.Senior Center, 2720 Lyons Road in Austin.

We look forward to seeing everyone, old andWe look forward to seeing everyone, old andWe look forward to seeing everyone, old andWe look forward to seeing everyone, old andnew friends alike, to share this time togethernew friends alike, to share this time togethernew friends alike, to share this time togethernew friends alike, to share this time together

By Clint SmithBy Clint SmithBy Clint SmithBy Clint Smith

Invite You to our Holiday Party!

December 5, 2010, 2:00 to 4:00 atLyons Gardens Senior Center, 2720 Lyons Road

North Pleasant Valley at Webberville Road

Directions: from I-35, go east on E. 7th; left on Pleasant Valley to Lyons Road.

Join us in a celebration for all Eat and Schmooz!

Enjoy the inevitable discussion about the

coming legislative sessions.

Listen to music and

Partake of the great companionship.

Gary Dugger, 512-225-4789; ofc 512-458-3738

Email: garydugger@austin.rr.com