John -- In case you missed it, I'm re-sending this update on the Republicans' attempt to use the debt ceiling to demand cuts to Social Security and Medicare. Please check it out, and, if possible, help support our efforts to fight back. -- Robert Reich

Dear John,

It's been just over a week since the federal government hit the debt ceiling — and if Congress doesn't act soon, the U.S. will default on the debt, causing a global financial crisis that will destroy an estimated 6 million jobs.

And yet the MAGA Republicans in control of the House of Representatives are still refusing to raise the debt ceiling unless President Biden agrees to draconian cuts to vital programs like Social Security and Medicare.

Worse yet, Democratic Senator Joe Manchin has begun pushing President Biden to negotiate with Republicans. He's even begun his own private talks with Republican Speaker Kevin McCarthy and proposed an "independent commission" to recommend cuts to Social Security.

This is one of the worst ideas I've ever heard. We must act now to stop it before it's too late.

Inequality Media is creating a series of viral videos, social media graphics, and other content to explain to the public what's actually going on and pressure Republicans to raise the debt ceiling without any cuts to Social Security and Medicare. However, in order to run this effort at a large enough scale to win, we're counting on supporters like you to chip in. Will you make a donation today?

Yes, I'll donate to help alert the public and stop Republicans from cutting Social Security and Medicare.

In the 1990s, when I was serving as secretary of labor under President Bill Clinton, Republicans tried this same old trick, refusing to raise the debt ceiling unless we agreed to a package of sweeping spending cuts.

I, together with other advisers, urged Clinton not to negotiate, and he agreed, calling the Republicans' tactics "economic blackmail." After a lengthy government shutdown and public backlash, Republicans caved.

That's what we need to do again; no negotiating. So Inequality Media is running a major effort across all our platforms to educate the public about the debt ceiling and communicate the points they aren't hearing from the media:

1. Raising the debt ceiling has nothing to do with increasing spending or the federal debt. It simply allows the government to pay bills it has already taken on.
2. Defaulting on the debt would be catastrophic. The entire global economy would be sent into chaos if the full faith and credit of the United States was seriously called into question.
3. Republicans don't give a damn about the debt and deficit. When they were in power, they raised the debt ceiling again and again while handing out trillions in tax breaks to billionaires. Their goal is to cut Social Security and Medicare, programs that tens of millions of Americans rely on to stay out of poverty.

If we can get these simple truths out to the American people, it will put massive pressure on Republicans — especially those who represent Biden districts — to join with Democrats to pass a clean debt ceiling increase before the likes of Matt Gaetz, Lauren Boebert, and Marjorie Taylor Greene drive the economy off a cliff.

This is a fight that Inequality Media was made for, but we're running out of time, and we need your help to ramp up our campaign right now.

Will you donate to help get the truth out and stop the Republican attacks on Social Security and Medicare?

Thanks for all you do.

Robert Reich
Inequality Media