Share your Social Security story today!
04/16/2005
Dear DFL Friends,
As part of the Minnesota DFL’s ongoing campaign to prevent the destruction of one of our nation’s greatest success stories, Social Security, we are asking for your immediate help today.
The Minnesota DFL Party is creating Social Security Success Stories, an online series of testimonials from Minnesotans about the very personal ways Social Security has provided both security and support for our families.
Please join this very important campaign by sharing your Social Security story with us! Simply click here to write and submit your story, or email it to us at . Look on our website in the coming days for this icon:
Where you can submit your story and read Social Security Success Stories from other Minnesotans.
Below are examples of stories Minnesotans have shared already, and you can read for yourself the power of their written experience. Please join our campaign to save Social Security today!
September, Eden Prairie:
Twenty Seven years ago, my husband was killed in a plane crash at the age of 37. My four kids and I wouldn’t have made it without Social Security. My daughter’s husband was killed in a construction accident. She and their three children have relied on Social Security. This program has made a huge difference in our lives.
Elaine, Hopkins:
My mother was from Nebraska. When she first started getting her Social Security check in 1976, it was $350. It was her only income until she died at age 84. I have another friend, currently 81. Social Security is her only income. Neither of these women has held a paying job, but they have both worked all their life. It would be criminal to cut the benefits for those who Social Security is their only income.
Janet, Lake Elmo:
I am currently guardian of my 83 year old mentally challenged aunt and power of attorney for both her and her brother. The only income that my aunt receives is from Social Security as a result of my grandfather’s employment years. Without this income, she would most obviously had none to live on. With it, she earns $628 per month, hardly enough to make a go without the assistance of the rest of the family. I truly believe that this is one of those instances where Social Security is paying for someone with disabilities and which is exactly what it was enacted to do. It has been of great assistance over the years so that our family of little means could help her to continue living with those who loved her and as a result, she was not institutionalized nor put on the public dole. It’s not a lot but it appears that it was enough to get by.
Donna, Chaska:
My parents were born in 1908 to farm families. Neither could afford college, but married, made it through the depression and managed to give my sister and me a “middle class” life. My dad never made much over minimum wage but we always had the necessities and a few luxuries. There was never anything left over for savings. They retired with social security and my dad continued to work after 65.
Without social security my sister and I could have helped them some, but social security gave them independence and pride.
Being financially independent and having dignity until the end of life is, in my opinion, one of the greatest strengths of social security.
I am now 65 and have started to receive social security. No, it isn’t my complete retirement but it allows a base amount per month as a safety net.
The Bush attack on Social Security is no more than a smoke screen. What government program can say it is funded for 40 years or more. It is his way of diverting attention from the real problems of the deficit, balance of trade, sinking dollar, Medicare and many other REAL problems.
In educating the public, and urging Republicans in Congress to stop gambling with Social Security, your personal stories are the most powerful tool we have! Join us today!
Stand Up, Keep Fighting,
Mike Erlandson
Minnesota DFL Party Chair