On the day after Social Security's 90th anniversary, Tallahassee supporters gathered to warn the program is under threat by Republicans in both Congress and the White House.
The advocates, almost all Democrats, held a news conference to both celebrate the start of Social Security and warn of its possible demise. Wakulla County's Terry Joe Chapman, local president of the Florida Association of Retired Americans, said Republicans like North Florida Congressman Neal Dunn are to blame.
"Based on his voting record on the legislation that was passed through Congress concerning Social Security and Medicare, Neal Dunn gets a zero."
The district's former Democratic congressman, Al Lawson, also attended the news conference. He is worried about the Republican push to privatize Social Security.
"So whenever they tell you in 2030 or 2035 that Social Security is going to be in trouble, it's only because of the politicians. They're always trying to take money from Social Security to put in other areas."
The program's advocates plan to deliver letters to the local offices of both Congressman Dunn and Florida U.S. Senator Rick Scott, urging them to protect Social Security.
