Council Protests War, Social Security Changes
Residents praised the City Council Monday (Aug. 1, 2005) for taking stands against the war in Iraq and the privatization of Social Security.
The council previously protested U.S. involvement in Iraq and on Monday called for a thorough Congressional investigation of the Iraq war and an early withdrawal of troops. Copies of the resolution will be sent to every federal and state official representing Plainfield asking them to support its aims.
City resident Steven Hatcher, who leads monthly protests against the war, said the council action “does our heart good.“
Hatcher heads the Plainfield branch of People Organized for Progress, which holds demonstrations on every fourth Saturday in downtown Plainfield.
Resident Bob Bender said U.S. defense spending amounts to $1,780 per person “for these military adventures,“ saying the “rest of the world” averages $80.
The resolution on Social Security privatization called for the administration first to pay back money taken from the program’s trust fund and said proposals to divert money from the program should be rejected.
Resident Nancy Piwowar said her co-workers in the U.S. Postal Service have a hard time dealing with pension alternatives now and more choices would just be more difficult.
Dottie Gutenkauf called the Social Security proposals “lovely rhetoric,” but said the effect will be to “turn over vast amounts of money to Wall Street investors.”
“It would be a shame and a disgrace to this country if it happens,” resident Robert Wilson said.
Other speakers said changing the system would leave beneficiaries poorer.
Resident Paul Beckwith linked the two issues, saying the war spending could be used to support seniors.
“That money is needed here,” he said.
The council previously protested U.S. involvement in Iraq and on Monday called for a thorough Congressional investigation of the Iraq war and an early withdrawal of troops. Copies of the resolution will be sent to every federal and state official representing Plainfield asking them to support its aims.
City resident Steven Hatcher, who leads monthly protests against the war, said the council action “does our heart good.“
Hatcher heads the Plainfield branch of People Organized for Progress, which holds demonstrations on every fourth Saturday in downtown Plainfield.
Resident Bob Bender said U.S. defense spending amounts to $1,780 per person “for these military adventures,“ saying the “rest of the world” averages $80.
The resolution on Social Security privatization called for the administration first to pay back money taken from the program’s trust fund and said proposals to divert money from the program should be rejected.
Resident Nancy Piwowar said her co-workers in the U.S. Postal Service have a hard time dealing with pension alternatives now and more choices would just be more difficult.
Dottie Gutenkauf called the Social Security proposals “lovely rhetoric,” but said the effect will be to “turn over vast amounts of money to Wall Street investors.”
“It would be a shame and a disgrace to this country if it happens,” resident Robert Wilson said.
Other speakers said changing the system would leave beneficiaries poorer.
Resident Paul Beckwith linked the two issues, saying the war spending could be used to support seniors.
“That money is needed here,” he said.
--Bernice Paglia
posted by Bernice at 8:21 AM
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