Protect Your Social Security

Educators Can Help Repeal Pension Offsets Through Activism

By Dave Arnold

The great New York Yankee catcher, Yogi Berra, once said: “This is like déjà vu all over again.” After the last two presidential elections, I feel like the upcoming vote in Congress to privatize Social Security is déjà vu all over again.

Why? Members of the National Education Association (NEA) have the voter numbers and organizing skills to sway elections, legislative debates and ballot measures. Our 2.7 million members give us the type of political leverage most organizations envy.

Yet, we don’t always use it. That’s why the current debate over privatizing Social Security reminds me of the 2004 John Kerry - George Bush presidential election, which reminded me of the 2000 Al Gore - Bush election. A few more votes here, a little more activism there and we might have today a president who is friendlier to educators and other public servants. Instead, we have Bush. 

Get Active

Last July, 86 percent of 9,000-plus delegates at the National Education Association’s (NEA) Representative Assembly endorsed Kerry for president. Knowing NEA members like I do, I am certain that most of these delegates followed their NEA vote with one at the national polls. As with Gore in 2000, the Kerry race was so close it made people ill to lose.

NEA members alone might not be able to turn a national election around. But think what can happen when 2.7 million of us recruit a friend or two to support a worthy cause? During a political battle, a strong turnout by NEA members will at least get their views on the record. Our commitment to close the achievement gap, pay ESP a livable wage, and protect our retirement benefits will usually get heard by legislators, journalists, and the general public.

Together, we have clout. Our collective voice came across loud and clear when Secretary of Education Rod Paige referred to NEA as “a terrorist organization.” Secretary Page was held accountable for his statement thanks to NEA’s prompt actions through government, education and media sources.

Political Leverage

Now that Bush is into his second term as president, we have to live with it. What we don’t have to endure are his administration’s unfair and misguided legislative proposals. NEA members are in a position to make a difference against privatizing Social Security, for example. But, will we? Is it déjà vu all over again?

The Government Pension Offset (GPO) and Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) are the president’s proposals being debated in Congress. Both provisions will unfairly reduce or eliminate benefits that public employees (or their spouses) had earned. This is money that educators, police officers, firefighters and many other workers are counting on for their retirement years.

Send Your Petition

We are in a position to help repeal these two Social Security Act amendments. More information on the negative impact of these amendments is available at the NEA Web site, where you can also petition your legislator. You can tell your Senators and Representatives to stop penalizing public servants. Best of all, you can do this via e-mail.

Last year, when presidential opponents were running neck and neck in the polls, I saw few campaign signs in yards. In the parking lots of local schools, I noticed hardly any campaign bumper stickers. One of the most disturbing things I noticed at several community meetings was the lack of political interest by the younger generation.

Recently, after speaking to various teachers, students, and friends in their mid-30s and younger, I sensed an extreme lack of concern about our nation’s leadership and public policies. This really bugs me.

Our young folks are smart, enthusiastic and can help shape the future of our country. Yet, they ignore the opportunity!

Retirees Take Charge

On the opposite end of the age scale, retirees are leading the way in political activism. This makes sense. This age group has the most to lose from reduced retirement benefits and a weakened Social Security and Medicare system.

But it’s beyond self-interest with them. I believe retirees also want their grandchildren and great-grandchildren to be guaranteed a quality education and decent living conditions. They know from experience that taking a stand against poor legislation is worth the effort.

“If we are to deliver on our pledge to make public schools great for every child, then we must lead the charge,” says Reg Weaver, NEA president.

Every Vote Counts

We are one of the largest and most powerful organizations in the nation. As we know from recent presidential election, every vote counts. When you consider the numerical and organizational power of NEA members, we might be education’s best hope for the future. We should not let indifference and apathy stand in the way.

We also are part of a large group of public servants. We can be a force in the community by helping to repeal unfair amendments like the GPO and WEP. We don’t want bad history to repeat itself. Not again.

(Dave Arnold, a member of the Illinois Education Association, is head custodian at Brownstown Elementary School in Southern Illinois.)

The views expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the NEA or its affiliates.