GAINESVILLE — “No cuts!” and “Hands Off!” to Social Security and Medicare/Medicaid were the themes at what could have been called the “You Got Lucky Sign-Wave and Sidewalk Stroll Supporting Social Security and Medicare/Medicaid” event and quasi-protest at the Social Security Administration building on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17th. The weather was sunny and warm at the tribute to these two great American programs that benefit so many senior citizens, disabled persons and children.
But who would have thought that musician Tom Petty, U.S. President Joe Biden, former President and First Lady Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt and the great Democratic Party achievements of Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid would be somehow be joined in an hour-long celebration?
Long-time North Floridians may remember Dub’s Lounge where Tom Petty and Mudcrutch performed in the 1970s. Mudcrutch included several members of what later evolved into Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Dub’s Lounge was torn down in 2014 to make way for the Social Security building on that “old 441” north of town. And the dozen or so retired social workers, Democratic Women’s Club presidents and others showed that we “won’t back down” when it comes to advocating for preservation and protection of our earned benefits. (Local note: Tom’s paternal grandparents lived and are buried in northwest Marion County.)
March 17—St. Patrick’s Day—also is the wedding anniversary of Eleanor and Franklin Roosevelt, who married in 1905. FDR would later sign his presidential signature on the Social Security Act in 1935. Tom Petty even has a song titled “The Poorhouse” that features the dreaded place where the elderly poor went to die, if they were lucky—the poorhouse.
Of course, the waiting is the hardest part, but Social Security and Medicare are something to look forward to, and we have to fight to keep them preserved, protected and even expanded. These earned benefits are the American pot of gold reward for a life’s work. As for detractors and the GOP, they need to be told “don’t come around here no more” with any plans for privatization or raising the retirement age (tell that to a construction worker or a restaurant server).
And a big “thank you” to President Biden for defending Social Security and Medicare during his State of the Union speech on February 7 that forced a verbal agreement from the audience of lawmakers that these earned benefits would be off the table during upcoming federal budget negotiations.
Participants in the St. Patrick’s Day Sign Wave and Sidewalk Stroll wore green for the holiday and were generous to bring a carload of non-perishable food donations for the Alachua County Elder Care’s food pantry for the elderly poor of the area.
Thanks to ALL who participated.
Don’t back down.