Protest Microsoft's support for cutting Social Security, Feb 20th near UW

Working Washington reports:

Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz isn’t the only local CEO who is backing the corporate front group “Fix the Debt.”  Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has been fronting too.  It’s time for them to get real.

The CEOs behind Fix the Debt want to lower tax rates on the rich, create or extend corporate tax loopholes and slash budgets for vital services like Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.

Join us as we call out these two local CEOs to stop fronting for Fix the Debt and drop their support for still more budget cuts— this Wednesday, February 20th at NOON at the University Village shopping center near UW.

Let’s meet outside of the Microsoft Store.

We need to show them that we won’t sit idly by as the CEOs wheel and deal away the vital services like Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security we’ve all paid into and deserve to call upon if the need arises.

Apparently, Schultz and Ballmer disagree.

Next month, deep Federal budget cuts are slated to take effect. If Congress doesn’t take action, the impact will be devastating: more than 100,000 formerly homeless people would lose access to housing and shelters; unemployment benefits would be slashed; Medicaid cuts would result in thousands of layoffs in Washington State alone; and more.

But instead of agreeing to pay their fair share, the CEOs behind Fix the Debt are asking for even more breaks: just one of the new loopholes they’re pushing would save Microsoft $19 billion in taxes.

It’s ridiculous and we are calling them out.

Wednesday, February 20th at NOON at the University Village Shopping Center, join us to tell Schultz and Ballmer to stop fronting for Fix the Debt and drop their support of more budget cuts.

We don’t want any part of the 1% corporate agenda of lowering tax rates for the rich and budget cuts for the rest of us. We need jobs, not cuts.  We’ll take our message right outside their stores, in the light of day.

We won’t hide behind silly slogans.

Hope to see you there.

Microsoft, after all, gets a billion dollars a year in tax breaks from Washington State taxes. (reference)