Americans United salutes Patty Wetterling for making 'Golden Promise' to protect Social Security from privatization… Candidates for Congress owe it to the voters to make clear whether they support the Bush Social Security Privatization Plan

As President Bush and his allies in Congress renew their efforts to privatize Social Security early next year, Americans United invited US Rep. Gil Gutknecht (Minn-01), his opponent Tim Walz, State Senator Michele Bachmann (Minn-06) and her opponent Patty Wetterling, to sign the Americans United "Golden Promise" - a pledge to protect and strengthen Social Security by opposing President Bush's privatization plan. To date, Walz and Wetterling are the only candidates to have taken the pledge.

Since June, President Bush and his allies in Congress have stated that they will bring back the Bush Social Security privatization plan after the November election. Americans United has asked Congressional candidates across the nation to make the "Golden Promise" and tomorrow AU will recognize Patty Wetterling as a champion of Social Security. Minnesotans deserve to know where the candidates stand on the Bush Social Security privatization plan. Congressional Candidates Tim Walz (Minn-01) and Patty Wetterling (Minn-06) oppose the Bush Privatization Plan and have signed the "Golden Promise" pledge to protect and strengthen Social Security.

Text of the Golden Promise:

-- Social Security guarantees Americans that if they work hard, contribute, and play by the rules, they have earned the right to retire in dignity, and their families will be protected in the event of disability or death.

-- We are united in our commitment to strengthen Social Security, not privatize it. We will work to improve the retirement security of all Americans and will oppose any scheme for deep benefit cuts or massive debt to fund risky private accounts. Protect Social Security, Stop Privatization.