Michiganders Rally to Protect Social Security as Part of Protect Our Checks Day of Action - Will Representative John James Listen To The People?

Yesterday, Michigan Families for Fair Care and For Our Future partnered with Unrig our Economy and Social Security Works to host a Protect Our Checks rally in Michigan’s 10th Congressional District as part of a national day of action. The rally was attended by local elected leaders and constituents of Representative John James, who gathered to voice their support for the protection of Social Security benefits. 

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities predicts that the tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy included in the Republican Tax Law will devastate Michigan families, and if no action is taken to protect Social Security, future generations will be crushed by increased costs.

“Social Security is a lifeline for my residents. You know, even when they're on it, it's tough. It's tough. One little home repair issue sets them back. It's not like they're rich, it's just living with human dignity, being able to take care of their families. It is essential,” said Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib. “Medicaid, Social Security, our American values are programs that again, keep people alive. We're going to fight for it together.”

Concerns voiced during the event included the rising cost of living and how working-class Michiganders worry about getting by, with the future of Social Security, food assistance, and health care at risk. Currently, over 2.3 million Michiganders rely on Social Security for their monthly budget and nearly 170,000 of those recipients live in Representative James’ district alone. 

The actions taken by Republicans in Congress this year are expected to impact hundreds of thousands of Michiganders. This includes hospitals that may be forced to deny patients who have Medicaid and the 1.5 million people that are likely to be affected by cuts to Michigan’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Despite repeated calls from his own constituents, John James voted yes both times to the Republican Tax Bill, a piece of legislation, which is now law, that will cut funding for these programs. Now, retirees could face a massive cut to their Social Security benefits in the next few years on top of everything else. 

“Yesterday, out in Sterling Heights, I met with an 82 year old man. His wife is in the hospital with some severe medical condition,” shared Michigan State Representative Denise Mentzer. “He got one ambulance bill that was $474 that he doesn't know how he's going to pay. He is desperate to make sure that his social security checks keep coming because he gets the checks because she didn't work. He is desperate to keep his Medicaid coming and his Medicare coming because of her medical condition.” 

“I think about my grandma in everything I do. I think about what I wanted from her in her senior years. And the thing I always come back to is dignity.” said Stephanie Rubel “Dignity to have a full belly, to have medical care, her need to have a roof over her head, to have safety. I want that for our seniors. Why doesn't John James?”