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Will It Be Catfood or Cake? How Will Seniors Survive if Social Security is Cut?

by San Jose Demo Report
In San Jose, groups celebrating the 75th anniversary of Social Security demonstrated their concern about potential cuts to benefits. Many worry about the future of the program. Activists say the President's Deficit Commission may recommend raiding Social Security to cut the deficit.

The tag line of the day, "Will seniors eat cake or cat food?" referred to the fact that many senior citizens who can not afford fresh meat turn to a cheaper form of protein, a product that is not approved for human consumption.
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The Raging Grannies helped groups including California Alliance for Retired Americans (CARA) celebrate Social Security's 75th birthday with songs about the importance of assuring the program's survival. Other groups provided a cake, and a display of cat food tins. The tag line of the day, "Will seniors eat cake of cat food" refers to the fact that many senior citizens who can not afford fresh meat turn to a cheaper form of protein, a product that is not approved for human consumption.

Social Security and Medicare are under attack said celebrating organizers. When the Obama administration announced that a deficit reduction committee would be formed, politicians and media immediately started talking about exploring ways to reduce government spending.

At today's rally in San Jose, California, social justice activists expressed concern that this committee, and an increasingly right wing Congress, will try to cut Medicare and Social Security benefits. A large number of the participants at the rally were retirees or folks about to retire.

Speakers included political activist and organizer Steve Preminger, Jodi Reid of California Association for Retired Americans, and Sandy Perry of CHAM. The Federal Building in San Jose at the corner of San Carlos and 2nd Street was decorated with balloons to celebrate. Security guards for the building kept a watchful eye, but the demonstrators were not asked to move.
§getting signatures on a petition
by San Jose Demo Report
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Help Save Social Security
§Granny Christie is holding Granny "Popo" Lotus' grandbaby
by San Jose Demo Report
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Today's senior citizens take care of future generations while their children work, yet receive no credit toward their own Social Security earnings for doing so. Benefits can not be accrued for care for elderly or disabled family members either, so that taking time off from paid work can mean more than just a loss of immediate income.
§Jodi Reid of CARA speaks to the assembled crowd
by San Jose Demo Report
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§Granny Mary's sign
by San Jose Demo Report
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§Ghengis Khan VTA goes by
by San Jose Demo Report
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I think this is a VTA lightrail covered with advertisement for an exhibit at the nearby Tech Museum
§Some of the Raging Grannies in profile
by San Jose Demo Report
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§Members of California Nurses Association
by San Jose Demo Report
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§Raging Grannies Shirley and Ruth C.
by San Jose Demo Report
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Lamar from Silicon Valley deBug seen here taking photos of the speakers on stage
§After the event, enjoying birthday cake
by San Jose Demo Report
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2 Raging Grannies
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