COLA

MEMBER INFO

Perhaps you have heard by now that Obama and his administration is sticking it to the American people again.  This time it is the seniors and others on social security.  In an effort to save money they have decided to stop the cost of living allowance (COLA) for social security recipients for at least two years, maybe more.

There are much better ways to cut cost without penalizing seniors.  Please send this fax to your senators and representative to show your disapproval of this horrible plan.

PS.  You think they might want to save more money by dropping the COLA given to members of congress?  Nope, for some reason they didn’t think that would be a good idea.

TEXT OF FAX

Dear [member of congress]

Not surprisingly—ANOTHER broken promise!

I seem to remember a promise of “wealth redistribution?” Please correct me if I’m wrong, but I was under the impression that the promise of “wealth redistribution” meant taking from the “haves” and giving to the “have nots” to ensure that every person had a chance to “share in the wealth” on an equal level.

So, please explain to me what happened? Taking away the “Cost of Living Allowance” (COLA) from Social Security (SS) recipients—who are generally the elderly living on a fixed income—and allowing the members of Congress to KEEP their generous 2.4% COLA seems to me to be the opposite of what Mr. Obama promised!

Oh yes—I am aware that the president made a suggestion to Congressional members to reduce their COLA to a measly 2%--as did Presidents Clinton and Bush at least three times. As the members of Congress must approve any reduction in their salaries or COLA, Presidents Clinton’s and Bush’s suggestion were ignored—as, I’m sure, President Obama’s suggestion will be, too.

How very generous of the members of Congress to vote to stop the COLA for SS recipients in order to keep their own COLA! What a fine example of “wealth redistribution!” After all, I’m sure our representatives are really struggling to survive on their (very generous) tax-payer funded salaries just like the rest of America’s citizens.

As the majority of America’s citizens struggle—many of whom cannot even find work—I do hope the members of Congress are at least grateful that they still have a “job.” I’m afraid, though, that the 2010 elections will change that for many.

Please reconsider the vote to take away the COLA for SS recipients! It might help to ensure your continued employment in the future!

Sincerely,

[Your name]

[Your state and district]