Connect with us on: 
Statement on "Wake Up, Washington!" Month by Susan Scanlan, Chair of the National Council of Women's Organizations
Posted on September 16, 2010
I speak for the 12 million American women who are part of the nonpartisan National Council of Women’s Organizations. For 25 years, our 240 member groups have collaborated through substantive policy work and grass roots activism to address issues of concern to women like work/family balance, education, fair pay, women’s health, and economic equity.
Just like their fathers, husbands, sons, and brothers, U.S. women believe that bringing the federal budget back in line is serious and necessary business. Our children and grandchildren should not be expected to bear the burden of fiscal irresponsibility that put us in this position.
It is important that the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform listen to those of us who did not cause but are struggling through this Great Recession. Home values have tanked, pensions have been depleted, personal savings are spent, and jobs are disappearing. All at a time when we can expect to live longer.
Unlike the bankers and financiers of Wall Street who brought us to the brink of econo-mic calamity, your average woman on the street has not received a bailout. We’re still working at low wage jobs, more than half of which offer no paid vacation, retirement, or sick leave let alone childcare or transportation assistance. Right now, the nurses, teachers, secretaries, grocery store clerks, data processors, hair stylists, and waitresses whom I represent are grateful to have a job, even if they receive only 77-cents for every dollar their male counterparts earn.
What Congress and the Commission must understand is that such economic “ghettoization” has life-long consequences as wives and women workers age. It is moms who drop out of the workforce to raise children or nurse aging parents. How sad that building America’s future is not just unrewarded but penalized in our nation’s economy!
When retirement comes around, it’s easy to explain why women in this country have little to no savings, pensions are few and far between, and they experience increasing poverty due to death of or divorce from a husband. Right now nearly half of women 65 and older living alone are poor. And this situation is even grimmer for women of color and women with disabilities.
We all recognize the bottom line that holds these lives together. It’s Social Security. A contract American workers have made with their government to insure at least a mini-mal standard of living when they grow too old or too sick to stay on the job.
It would be an understatement to say that my membership is distressed by talk of balancing the budget via cuts to Social Security. Let’s review the bidding on such proposals. Social Security has not contributed one red cent to the deficit. By borrowing from the Trust, the government was able to issue bonds to build bridges, finance worthy social programs and--yes--wage wars.
In 1983, the Greenspan Commission dealt quickly and competently with the approach of the pig-in-the-python Baby Boomers, achieving solvency for nearly 30 years. Today’s so-called Social Security crisis has been manufactured by those who want to get their hands on this vast pot of money or to create some sort of intergenerational warfare.
Suggestions about cutting benefits or raising the retirement age represent nothing less than the country’s breaking its word with its most vulnerable citizens. Truly, America is better than that.
Let’s do the math: while the average annual Social Security benefit is $13,800, older women receive $2,000 less or $11,800 –only about 56% of what they need to meet basic needs—rent, food, medicine. You can’t cut into a benefit that already verges on the official poverty line.
Granted, well-educated, higher income white men – a U.S. Senator, for example -- are living longer and healthier and might be able to continue working into their 70s. This does not hold true for low income women – and men – with physically demanding jobs in a factory, a hospital, or a fast food restaurant. Try telling grandma that she can stand on her feet for a few more years—if her employers are even willing to keep her on.
The Commission claims to be looking out for our grandchildren. So I’m speaking for today’s and tomorrow’s grandma’s. The 12 million members of the National Council of Women’s Organizations are ready, willing, and able to work to defeat the deficit. Give us a fair plan that eliminates the Bush tax cuts, ends two unfunded wars, and spreads the sacrifice to those who can afford it. Give us a universal, secure, and adequate retirement system. Then we’ll roll up our sleeves to join the fight.
But we will stand as one against any efforts to renege on this enduring and essential social contract by balancing the budget on women’s backs!
Susan Scanlan
Chair, National Council of Women’s Organizations
scanlan@wrei.org
Share Your Story
Retirement USA is collecting personal stories about people’s fears and concerns for retirement. Washington isn’t paying attention to the retirement concerns of workers and retirees, so we need to speak out. The stories will help show lawmakers the reality of the retirement income crisis.
Tell Us Your Story
Get Involved
Learn how you can give Washington the wake-up call it needs. Use our toolkit to get started.
What do you think?
Sign Our Petition
Tell Washington to wake up to the nation’s retirement crisis.
Sign Our Petition Today!
Get Updates
Sign up to receive updates about Retirement USA and “Wake Up, Washington!” Month as we work to highlight the need for a universal, secure and adequate retirement system.
Comments
www.echeapsnapbacks.com
http://www.echeapsnapbacks.com/ is the paradise of sports lovers.It is composed by luoli.Here are a variety of snapback hats. You can visit echeapsnapbacks to choose the suitable snpaback hats for youself, now you also can click here.
Write My Paper
Really great. You are absolutely welcome. And thank you for coming by! I really appreciate it. <a href="http://www.writemypaperpal.com/">Write My Paper</a> http://www.writemypaperpal.com/
You make it pleasant and you
You make it pleasant and you keep deal with to remain it sensible. I can't hold out to study much more from you. That is actually a remarkable website.Used Cars For Sale Arlington VA
Bachelor Party Miami
Thank you for benefiting from time to focus on this kind of, I feel firmly about it and also really like comprehending far more with this particular subject matter. In case doable, when you get know-how, is it possible to thoughts modernizing your site together with far more details? It’s extremely useful to myself.Bachelor Party Miami
mobile locksmith Seattle This
mobile locksmith Seattle This post is very simple to read and appreciate without leaving any details out. Great work! You completed certain reliable points there. I did a search on the subject and found nearly all persons will agree with your blog.
Gorras don't buy the things
Gorras don't buy the things which are not looking good and not professional because it look like fun and it is not useful for professional life.
Write My Paper
Really great. You are absolutely welcome. And thank you for coming by! I really appreciate it. <a href="http://www.writemypaperpal.com/">Write My Paper</a> http://www.writemypaperpal.com/
Thiet ke web ban hang
Thiet ke web ban hang. I would have an RSS feed to stay informed about the future of messaging. Please million, and the important work.Its real a solid article.
fake oakleys
fake oakleys t Replica Oakley Radar Cheap might be only a coincidence; but we never suffered from impudence, replica oakley sunglasses loss of oakley outlet or were endangered, unless among people familiar with slaving.oakley sunglasses outlet We had such a general sense of security, that replica oakleys Polarized never, save when we suspected treachery, did we set a w. fake oakley sunglasses Knock off atch at night.
شات بنات مصر شات مصرى بنات
شات بنات مصر شات مصرى بنات مصر دردشة شات بنات شات مصر شات مصرية دردشة بنات مصر شات كتابى chat شات شات الاسكندرية دردشة دردشة بنات شات اسكندرية شات اليكس شات بنت مصر دردشة بنت مصر شات مصريه شات بنات مصر شات بنات مصر شات بنات شات مصر شات مصرية دردشة بنات مصر شات بنات مصر شات بنات مصر شات بنات شات مصر شات مصرية دردشة بنات مصر شات بنات مصر شات حلمك شات بنات لبنان شات بنت السعوديه شات بنات السعوديه شات بنت فلسطين شات احلا مصر شات احلى لمه شات بنت مصر شات بنات مصر شات التحليه 1 شات بنات مصر شات مصرى بنات مصر دردشة شات بنات شات مصر شات مصرية دردشة بنات مصر شات كتابى chat شات http://www.chatalex.com/ شات بنات مصر شات بنات مصر
Maria Trujillo
Polycarbonate Frame fused with Spigen SGP09497 Ultra Bumper Lumi Series Case for Samsung Ga By:david bealhttp://www.bestcellphonecase.com/samsung/polycarbonate-frame-fused-with-spigen-sgp09497-ultra-bumper-lumi-series-case-for-samsung-ga-bydavid-beal.html
NFL Miami Dolphins Snapback Hats
New Era is acclaimed hat cast within the United States,Baseball Snapback caps besides in a position basketball (New Era Hats) and American Capable Football ( NFL) cap, the a good deal of accepted within the United States will be the Significant League Baseball ( MBL) cap series. As well as abounding hip-pop stars and blur celebrities cutting New Era hats, the cast has currently beyond the sports activities ascendancy and turn out to be a cast which real accepted a a part of humans who like artery actualization and sports activities. New Era is now the latest in the hip-hop world. When apropos to new era caps, the a lot of accepted accounts in NYC now should be the anew seem BLACK OUT. In contempo a long time, and in about the many American studios for hip-pop songs, there are consistently some pop stars who abrasion New Era Cap. In 2004,YMCMB Snapbacks red balderdash hats entered China current market, bringing the most recent tendencies of New Era hats. Hat has regularly been an accent within the autumn and winter months. Having said that, hat modifications its stance and become ascendant actualization accent nowadays. It's extra alluring and accomplish the achieved bathrobe additional eye-catching. Let abandoned the faculty of air-conditioned and unique. Displaying altered kinds, cap is not alone a apparatus for aegis adjoin the algid and hot but aswell a capacity as well as a style, Enable cutting hat become a technique to actualization your character. Also, New Era is aswell allied with NBA. New Era bland border hat is consistently affiliated with MBL admirable alliance. But New Era's circadian artefact dont accountable by MLB. NBA is aswell absolution 2010 cap with New Era. NBA experienced collapsed border caps brought out before, but all of them had been bogus by Adidas, akin in actualization but not in spirit, Obey Snapback Hatsusing a abundant acidity of sports and abridgement of artery flavor. This time it truly is performed by New Era, humans are completely cat-and-mouse for that! New Era aswell introduces a alternation of collapsed border caps to the affair of "Alice in Wonderland". gives you with nfl hats ,DC shoe hats ,Monster Energy hats ,Crimson Balderdash hats ,New Arrival Hats ,Scorching Selling Hats ,Baltimore Orioles Hats and so on .We are specializing in alms New Era Hats ,NFL Hats and MLB Hats ,all forms of teams sports activities hats .In case you wish to be added contemporary ,more adorable ,just abrasion actualization hats .An agitative buying is accessible to go! click here
Nice
From your blog, I can learn some new knowladge, I like the valuable information you provide in your articles.Travel in Cambodia
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lC51t59EtXM
Bachelor Party Atlantic City
Has gently found right now this community and it was authorized to join in conversation of this query. Thank you for discussing. Excellent day, Awesome to see your website about this great topic. ugg boots for cheap Im absolutely going to save you! Thank you for your information. Thanks for the valuable data. Sustain up the great operate.Bachelor Party Atlantic City
nice
nice post. i feel good.. i remember about my family. thank you how to prevent hair fall naturally
Haonhien
We know that getting a Vietnam visa is just a small task in preparing for your trip to Vietnam, but often consumes a lot of time and money. Because some people think that getting a Vietnam visa is very complicated, they decide to cancel their trip to Vietnam Vietnam visas We think that in these cases, people have not ben updated on Vietnam visa renewal achievements. For more information please email to vietnam visa on arrival Or hotline: +84.90.824.6047 Kevin Nguyen (Mr)In Vietnam, visa-on-arrival started in 2003 and as of 2011 it is the predominant way tourists from Australia, North America and Europe come into Vietnam Visa to vietnam As Vietnam opens its economic and travelling door, the number of arrivals is on a sharp increase, every time it is counted. Following the rise in the number of international visitors, visa-on-arrival service has grown accordingly to meet the demand. Pioneering this trend vietnam visa online is the international renowned service. Please find below information to see if getting visa upon arrival at the airport good for you or not. Vietnam visa on arrival is the cheapest way for you. With us, you only pay 20 USD or less, depending on the number of people in your group. And visa for vietnam you will receive authorization to receive visas at the airport. after getting the paper work, Vietnam visa application you will pay an additional fixed charge for each person is: 25 USD/person for single entry, 50 USD/person for multiple entries, and 100 USD/ person for 6 months multiple entries. And no more hidden charged.
les furieux in thẻ
les furieux in thẻ nhựa Mancuniens n’ont pas été inspirés par une chanson d’autrui (inutile de chercher une référence in thẻ vip à une quelconque oasis dans les paroles des Beatles...), mais bien par un poster annonçant une tournée des Inspiral Carpets. in thẻ bảo hành Une des salles visitées était le Oasis Leisure Centre de Swindon.
thanks all
les furieux <a href="http://www.thenhua.info/giao-thuong/in-the-nhua-vnexpress.html ">in thẻ nhựa</a> Mancuniens n’ont pas été inspirés par une chanson d’autrui (inutile de chercher une référence <a href="http://www.thenhua.info/the-nhua/in-the-vip.html">in thẻ vip</a> à une quelconque oasis dans les paroles des Beatles...), mais bien par un poster annonçant une tournée des Inspiral Carpets. <a href="http://www.thenhua.info/the-nhua/in-the-bao-hanh.html">in thẻ bảo hành</a> Une des salles visitées était le Oasis Leisure Centre de Swindon.
nice post
Wow this post give truly quality information . Really very useful tips are provided here . thank you so much acai berry asli
i screwed the taxpayer
Howdy, i read your blog occasionally and i own a similar one and i was just wondering if you get a lot of spam comments? If so how do you prevent it, any plugin or anything you can advise? I get so much lately it's driving me mad so any assistance is very much appreciated.
Great Report
This can be a great report, Given therefore much data inside it, These form of articles keeps the people curiosity about the web site, and continue sharing more... Best of luck.Photo Booths in Louisiana
DDD
I want to introduce the interesting cheapsnapbackhats as your article.You can find the useful information about Cheap Snapbacks,as a kind of Snapback Hats, the website have enough article about these hats.I believe this information will lead you to order the right Cheap Snapback Hats quickly.Welcome you to visit http://cheapsnapbackhats.7ginets.com/ or click this.Do you want to visit Michael Kors Outlet? If you say yes, you can visit http://www.lakcn.com/.In this website, you can find the all kinds of Michael Kors Bags, If you loveMichael Kors very much, you should not miss the website of lakcn.If you want to visit the website, please click here.Hogan shoes have a lot of fans in the world. In http://www.escarpehogan.com,there are those famous styles of Scarpe Hogan, it is the most important that the price is reasonable, because the shop is the Hogan Outlet,every one can buy the cheap shoes in escarpehogan. I welcome you to visit this Hogan Sito Ufficiale,please click this.
argan oil
Nice blog. It is one of a kind. I really admire the important ideas that you offer in the content. Retirement USA is finding personal stories about people’s fears and time for retirementargan oill .
Nice Post
Great Post. I have not been visiting the site recently. Took a visit again and there were some great comments on the site. Excellent post. Keep up the good work. agen sbobet
grateful
I represent are grateful to have a job, even if they receive only this site -cents for every dollar their male counterparts earn.
Hi, eine Übersetzung der
Hi, eine Übersetzung der Webseite wäre super z. B. in Deutsch oder Französisch. Ich kann euch da ein tolles Übersetzungsbüro empfehlen: Übersetzung Englisch Deutsch - http://www.profischnell.de
like it
Recommend the use of headphones as far as possible don't distort the cord. To know more click here http://howtoreducehairfall.in/
x-1
<a href="http://www.oumimai.com/">米購入 米通販 米販売</a><a href="http://dearwoman-smaps.com/">女性 起業家 セミナー</a><a href="http://japan-fair-rent.jp/daiichisougoukikaku/">賃料減額 家賃削減 無料診断</a><a href="http://www.hiyoshi-online.com/">水質検査 水質調査 水質分析</a><a href="http://www.hiyoshi-online.com/user_data/home.php/">水道水 井戸水 水質検査</a><a href="http://www.asbestos.hiyoshi-es.co.jp/">アスベスト 調査 分析 建材</a><a href="http://www.sheephug.com/">褥瘡 床ずれ 予防 シープスキン</a><a href="http://www.hr-link.jp/tensaku.html/">履歴書 職務経歴書 書き方</a><a href="http://1129.co.jp/">近江牛</a><a href="http://1129.co.jp/">近江牛 通販</a><a href="http://1129.co.jp/">ハンバーグ</a><a href="http://1129.co.jp/">ローストビーフ</a><a href="http://smaps-co.jp/">起業セミナー</a><a href="http://smaps-co.jp/">会計セミナー</a><a href="http://www.kekkonsoudan-ino.com/">京都と滋賀の婚活 結婚相談所</a><a href="http://www.studiobeatle.com">ホームページ制作 滋賀</a><a href="http://www.tsuchida-kk.com/">枚方市 交野市 新築一戸建て 建て替え</a><a href="http://ichigo-branding.com/">facebook セミナー 集客</a><a href="http://www.oumigyu-oroshi.jp/">近江牛 卸業者 仕入れ</a><a href="http://www.ecoad.co.jp/wp/">大阪 広告 不動産広告 LPO</a>
Thanks for your post
Seeking Sara Summers is in the TOP 4% of all books sold on Amazon.com and TOP 2% of all books sold on Kindle.You can buy with confidence: this is a good story you will enjoy! Lesbian Novels
Chicago Exotic Dancers
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don’t know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog, I will keep visiting this blog very often.Chicago Exotic Dancers
Power Click
Just wondering how could we subscribe to your blog?
Everything will be fine
Liberation of women's work, so that women can get enough interest than in the past, the present situation is much better. <a href="http://www.polyolefinshrinkfilm.net/product/polyolefin-shrink-film.html">Pof shrink film</a>
it's good to know it
i really agree about this. we can do it more, really it's possible pirater un compte facebook then after we really can i try for exemple wow monture . and it will be ok
Oakley Canada Sunglasses
Oakley Canada Sunglasses you may be thinking in which simply people that oakley canada have normal comedic capacity can Oakley Romeo 2.0 easily notify amusing media Oakley Scalpel testimonies, cracks and also impact traces being a expert. Properly, we Oakley X Squared have to point out in which Oakley Lifestyle Sunglasses also fantastic comedians just like Yahoo Crosby and oakley outlet also Joe Desire must training their particular expertise inside Oakley Daisyshowing amusing quick testimonies oakley frogskins to be able to tiny people just before rendering it huge Oakley Hinder inside tv set and also inside Oakley Holbrook theatres. Without a doubt, training could be Oakley Jupiter Squared the important to be able to creating the Oakley Sport Sunglasses market giggle repeatedly oakley sale.
Nike Air Jordan Air
Nike Air Jordan Air Jordans Nike Air Jordan Retro Jordan Shoes Nike Air Jordan Shoes Air Jordan 1 Air Jordan 2011 Air Jordan 2012 Air Jordan 2013 Air Jordan Retro Air Jordan Aero Air Jordan Cp3 Air Jordan Flight Air Jordan Fly Air Jordan Melo Air Jordan Play Air Jordan Rcvr Air Max 360 Jordan Air Jordan Son Of Mars
that is a useful post for me
I am a professional Supplier by Semi Auto L Bar Sealing Shrinking Packager, Automatic L Bar Sealing Shrinking Packager,High Speed Side Sealing Shrinking Packager, the first time to visit this site, feel good
home insurance ukA reliable
home insurance ukA reliable blog always comes-up with new and exciting information and while reading I have feel that this blog is really have all those quality that characterize a blog to be a best one.
I bookmarked this blog a
I bookmarked this blog a while ago because of the useful content and I am never being disappointed. Keep up the good work.jessica simpson shoes on sale
this blog is really informative
Very nice post even i would say that whole blog is awesome. I keep learning new things every day from post like these. Good stuff! cheap web design
Reply to comment | Retirement USA
I really like your blog.. very nice colors & theme.
Did you make this website yourself or did you hire someone to do it for you?
Plz answer back as I'm looking to design my own blog and would like to know where u got this from.
cheers
Check out my web-site ... Jacksonville SEO company
superb post
http://www.automobilearticledirectory.info A reliable blog always comes-up with new and exciting information and while reading I have feel that this blog is really have all those quality that characterize a blog to be a best one.
I feel that at some point
I feel that at some point sometime later I may attempt to compose a book to jive with my website, however we will see.good post with convenient tips and ideas. Domain Registration
cyclingjerseyset
Cycling Jersey, Cycling jersey Shop the largest selection of Primal Cycling Jerseys.Find a great selection of Cycling Jerseys deals on eBay!Cycling apparel that encourages athletes to progress not only in sport but in life.Custom Cycling Jerseys, Skinsuits, and Shorts.Bike Wear, bike wear Find great deals on eBay for World Champion Cycling Jersey in Men's Cycling Clothing. Shop with confidence.Offering a huge selection of cycling jerseys, bicycle shorts at sale prices. Primal Wear, Falconi, bibshorts, cycling shorts, bicycle jerseys, team cycling jerseys.Bike Jersey, bike jersey, Cycling Jerseys that make a statement. Buy a Cycling Jersey and tell drivers to share the damn road.Using a vast array of patented material technology, Assos has created the pinnacle of lightweight ergonomic cycling jerseys.Bike Clothing, bike clothing, Designed to be loose and much less confining while on or off the bike with all the technical aspects you're looking for in a high quality jersey.A creative cycling jersey is your best shot at establishing a unique identity on the bike. But where do you find one that's both comfortable and unforgettable?Cycling Shorts, Cycling Shorts, This Pro level Cycling Jersey is named after the Bianchi top performing racing bike, the Bianchi Oltre.Arrogant Bastard Jerseys ship fast with free shipping.Cycling ClothingCycling clothing Breathable tights that have wind-resistant fronts are best. If the tights you select don't have padded bottoms (they often don't), wear them over your bike shorts. http://www.procyclingjersey.net/ http://www.cyclingjerseyset.com/
www.allergyasthmaarticles.com
www.allergyasthmaarticles.com There is a drug called arbaclofen which cures a patient who has a specific kind of a disorder which the patient has inherited from his ancestors and the disorder is very close to autism. People suffering from autism shows there is no balance what so ever between a patient’s excitement and his normal being. Doctors nowadays have decided that they would only do a treatment on the lone symptoms of autism with the help of drugs but they will not go deep into the reasons or the causes of autism or what lies beneath exactly.
feel strongly about
Happy to see your blog as it is just what I've looking for and excited to read all the posts.I am very much interested on this topic.I want to visit the site for other interesting topics. http://www.ffreeslott.com
http://www.freeonlinegamblingcasino.com
Please add good good information that would help others in such good way.This post is exactly what I am concerned. we need some more reliable information. http://www.freeonlinegamblingcasino.com
awesome
Pretty good post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed reading your blog posts Shipping Rates
shinchangame.org
shin chan gamepegs its size at less than 1 percent of the $6.3 billion timing market, but adds that “the potential growth of MEMS oscillators continues to attract more vendors. There are currently nine vendors shipping MEMS oscillators. Two more have announced they will start shipping later in 2012. More are expected to jump into this market.”
MBT Shoes Sale
Listening to classical music can improve intelligence.MBT Shoes,MBT Shoes Sale,MBT Clearance IQ test to listen to music and improve the relationship of experiment, the first is to choose an excellent representative of classical music, Mozart's music, and then choose the dance pop, found that listening to Mozart music people's IQ have increased significantly, while listening to pop dance music intelligence did not change.MBT Shoes,MBT Shoes Sale,MBT Shoes Clearance
Post new comment