Rush Holt for US Senate: he knows without being told that cutting SS is wrong

Last April, just three months before he passed away, the ailing liberal lion Senator Frank Lautenberg issued a strong statement in opposition to proposed cuts to Social Security. He said:

"We can't afford to further balance our books on the backs of middle-class families and seniors. The proposed cuts to Social Security benefits are a major problem that would hurt countless Americans.”

Sadly, the man considered to be the front runner to succeed him, Newark mayor and media darling Cory Booker, isn't willing to hold that line. He said just this week that he'd consider raising the retirement age for younger people, a patented Republican dodge and a sure sign that he cannot be trusted to protect the Democratic Party's greatest achievement.

But there is someone in the race who will protect Social Security and his name is Congressman Rush Holt. Holt not only opposes all cuts to our most important social insurance program, he is a co-sponsor of the Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act, which would expand Social Security benefits not cut them.

Where Mayor Booker has said that he has "not formed an opinion" on a carbon tax, something which 41 Democratic Senators have already voted for, Rush Holt is card carrying scientist who strongly supports it.

Where Mayor Booker thinks calling for repeal of the Patriot Act is "irresponsible", Rush Holt sponsored a bill in the House just this week to do just that. He said:

"The executive branch’s groundless mass surveillance of Americans has turned our conception of liberty on its head. My legislation would restore the proper constitutional balance and ensure our people are treated as citizens first, not suspects.”

Where Mayor Booker considers Wall Street a strong friend and ally, Rush Holt ... doesn't.

The last thing we need in the US Senate is another Wall Street friendly centrist with a propensity for government secrecy and a willingness to cut our most important social insurance programs. There are plenty of those already.

Glenn Greenwald calls Congressman Holt "a genuine stalwart on civil liberties and privacy and vehement opponent of the crony capitalism that governs DC."

Tim Carpenter of Progressive Democrats of America says, "He doesn't just vote progressive, he speaks out and leads on the issues that unite us as progressives --- Medicare for All, The Robin Hood Tax, Repeal of the Patriot Act and Hands Off Social Security."

In the upcoming primary, New Jersey can choose an establishment celebrity who plays a progressive on TV or it can choose a real progressive. Blue America and Progressive Democrats of America strongly believe the choice in this race is clear and urge you support Congressman Rush Holt for US Senate who will be one of the Senate's strongest civil liberties champions and will join the ranks of Elizabeth Warren, Sherrod Brown, Ed Markey and Tammy Baldwin in support of economic fairness, justice, and opportunity.

Please donate what you can and spread the word among your friends and acquaintances in New Jersey.