On Tuesday Blue America will formally endorse Rep. Tammy Baldwin for the open Senate seat in Wisconsin. She joins Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren as candidates who meet our standards for what we expect from a U.S. Senator-- sorry Joe Manchin. Tuesday at 1pm (CST), 11 am here on the West Coast, Tammy will be joining us for a free form discussion of the campaign and the issues facing Wisconsin voters. When of the questions I asked her when we were still deciding whether or not to endorse in this race was about economic justice. "The gaggle of Republicans who would like to run against you," I pointed out, "seem to all be as eager as Paul Ryan to fundamentally change Medicare into an inadequate voucher program going forward and to privatize Social Security. I image this is going to be the crux of many debates once they finally manage to pick a candidate. Can you tell us how you differ from the Ryan/GOP approach on these two crucial issues?" This was the verbatim answer she gave us:
First, let me emphasize what you said: the Ryan Plan would fundamentally change Medicare as we know it for those 55 and younger.
I grew up under the care of my grandparents and in my adulthood, I was their caretaker. I know how important these programs are to our seniors, helping them cover everything from medication to groceries and rent.
For those in the workforce right now-- the middle class-- they’re under an incredible squeeze. They’re having to make tough decisions about how to spend their money and for us to pull the rug out from under them, to end that safety net, would be an immense wrong.
No matter the Republican nominee, I’ll be getting the word out about how important Medicare, Social Security, and other social safety nets are to keeping America strong. I’m happy to debate that with whomever emerges from the Republican primary foodfight.
The campaign announcement video up top puts that right into context. If you can, please consider making a contribution to Tammy's battle to hold a blue seat in Wisconsin for Democrats who have struggled there in recent elections. You'll find her campaign at the Blue America Senate ActBlue page.
