Social Security and Social Networking

There is something seriously wrong when there is no effective organized opposition to the political isolation of social progressives. We are peacefully surrendering. All efforts are neutered by the corporate media and endless flow of money to corporate favoring candidates. We are reduced to an opinion on a facebook page while even our democratic president's administration ridicules the left.

Facebook could be an effective means of organizing for social progressives. But it can't be without the battle and goal defined.


Social security would be a natural and meaningful start to such a movement. Although this would be the most effective issue for the democrats, they are not pursuing it and this is in itself reason for alarm. One possibility is that they hav...e already surrendered to the idea of sacrificing it. Evidence of this possibility is that the SOTU law making unlimited/unaccountable corporate contributions has them chasing the dollars instead of the principles. Many Dems running have already acquiesced to extending Bush's tax cuts for the ultra rich. I see this as a gesture of solidarity to the corporate donors.

As an independent movement, protecting social security as the prime focus could draw thousands of people who already are apprehensive about the future of what is to many their only future financial means of support. Like or agree with it or not, Obama and the democrats are more the victims of a bad economy than the pseudo issues they are being publicly criticized for. Financial fear is a motivational tool.

I spent 6 hours labor day weekend walking door to door for a candidate in the rural midwest. Across the board, the concern that came up over and over among 50+ (key) voters was the future of their social security. No issue goes more to the core of liberal principles and historic successes than social security. The households targeted were "leaning republican, independent, and leaning democratic" voters. There was no difference in these three groups when it came to social security. It came to the surface in conversation with them without it being suggested. They brought it up. It seems to me that a movement on facebook could impact things if the focus stuck strictly to social security. All the demographics are in place here. It would only be necessary to get a few clear messages echoed with no other ideological implications.

Liberalism and social justice has been marginalized by it's identity with the democratic party alone. For social progressives, this identity is like PETA tattooing "kick me" on rescued animals. We have a corporate serving party that is entrusted with protecting and defending the principles. An independent movement to protect social security could overcome the immediate opposition from half the nation when it comes to advancing a social agenda. A social security movement that demanded protecting it from both parties could enjoy support across the spectrum and force candidates on both sides to commit to it's protection. There are other social progressive issues that this common ground is waiting for (education, healthcare) but social security is immediate and could establish a springboard.