Social Security Town Hall Meeting  

Special guest Congressman Sherrod Brown will speak at a town hall meeting on Social Security March 29, 2005, hosted by the Medina County Democratic Action Committee.  This meeting will discuss the facts and myths about Social Security.  Following his presentation, Rep. Brown will answer questions from the audience.  

Open to the public, this meeting will focus on the state of Social Security and the reforms that have been proposed in recent months.  Brown will give a brief presentation on the reality of Social Security, and the proposed changes, followed by a question-and-answer session.  The public is encouraged to come with questions. 

While there is a need to strengthen Social Security, the radical changes proposed would weaken the safety net of millions of seniors and workers.  Currently, approximately two-thirds of senior citizens rely on Social Security for all or part of their income.  Since 1960, Social Security has ensured that the poverty rate among senior citizens has remained low, cutting it from 35 percent to 10 percent over the last 40 years.  Additionally, workers who pay into the Social Security system will have their contribution returned to them.  This makes the system self-sustaining, something that cannot be guaranteed under a privatized system.  Finally, the administrative costs for the system are extremely low: less than one percent of the benefits that are paid out.  Administrative costs for private insurers can run up to 14 percent of benefits paid out.   

A strong supporter of the Social Security system, Brown believes that the system can be fixed without “radical change.”  At a February meeting, he declared that Social Security is the “financial safety net for all Americans.”  He also confirmed that “Social Security has never missed one payment in its 70 year history.” 

The Medina County Democratic Action Committee is hosting this event in a nonpartisan spirit.  This event is dedicated to Social Security issues.  The Committee encourages everyone who is interested to attend and to bring their questions about Social Security.   

For more information contact Megan Huber at (330) 204-4479 or e-mail info@medinacountydemocraticactioncommittee.org.