DemLabs blog

Casualties in the Republican scheme to kill Social Security

The Republican 11 Point Plan calls for ending Social Security.

How many seniors would suffer in their scheme? How many are disabled? Widowed? Where do they live? How much does the program cost? Who are the Senators pushing for these cuts? We mapped the devastation this Republican plan would cause using ArcGIS and data from the Social Security Administration (SSA).

Mapping the casualties from Republican plan to kill Social Security

Casualties in Republican scheme to kill Social Security
Share this map freely with this link or as a GIF

Republican plan to kill Social Security

“Senator Ron Johnson wants Social Security and Medicare on the chopping block every year,” Biden wrote. “He’s the same guy who said if Republicans get control of Congress, they’ll try to get rid of the [Affordable Care Act] again — denying insurance to people with preexisting conditions. These guys never stop.”

Johnson said on a radio show this month that Social Security and Medicare shouldn’t be “mandatory” programs and should be subject to yearly renewal decisions in Congress. Johnson's comments are in line with the GOP Platform  “An 11-Point Plan to Rescue America,”.  Mandela Barnes, Johnson’s Democratic opponent, accused him of “want[ing] to strip seniors of the benefits they’ve worked their entire lives for.” - Market Realist

The most concerning frames about Republican elected officials focus on their desire to cut education, Medicare, and Social Security; their desire to ban abortions without exceptions; and their failure to look out for people who work for a living, all of which are seen as some of the truest of the frames tested.
Source: Navigator Research

Millions of seniors depend on Social Security

The most concerning frames about Republican elected officials focus on their desire to cut education, Medicare, and Social Security; their desire to ban abortions without exceptions; and their failure to look out for people who work for a living, all of which are seen as some of the truest of the frames tested. Independents are most concerned about the fate of Social Security and Medicare (75% concerning) and throwing out election results (70%), while Democrats are most concerned about Social Security and Medicare (91%), tax cuts for the rich (88%), and abortion bans (90%). - Navigator Research

Make the facts easier to understand with a StoryMap

Facts about the Social Security Administration website on Social Security.
Source: Social Security Administration

Republicans hope you won't pay attention to their scheme

Republicans count on voters being busy or distracted to pay attention to what they're up to. The facts are often hard to find online and even harder to understand. This map, for instance uses data from three different tables on the Social Security Administration website. How do you make all this information understandable?

We mapped the data with ArcGIS Online so a reader can see how many people in their state get Social Security and would be hurt if the Republican plan succeeds. It also shows how many of the beneficiaries are disabled and widowed. Contact details on the Senators who are supposed to be representing their interests is also included. There is a call to action to vote in order to stop Republicans from killing Social Security.

Use interactive maps

Make it easy for voters to easily get all the facts so they can make an informed voting decision.

Facts are dry. Stories make them interesting.

Facts can be boring. Make them interesting and more likely to be read with a story. Stories also provide context, links to more information and direct people to your call to action.

Use storytelling to make the facts interesting and persuasive. Direct your readers to do something with a call to action.

Use humor

Use humor in your story. Cartoons are especially helpful as they distill a point into a picture that can be understood regardless of language, age or education level.

Republican hypocrisy in demanding tax cuts for the rich while denying basic benefits to needy seniors is rich. Especially by someone with a history of Medicare fraud. Call it out. “Ridicule is man’s most potent weapon.” There is no defense. It’s irrational. It’s infuriating." Saul Alinsky in 'Rules for Radicals'

TakeAway: Elections matter! Vote for Democrats to protect your Social Security.

Deepak
DemLabs

Code to embed StoryMap in a website < iframe src="https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/f1e6d52003e449f49d56ebdfe9ac73ef" width="100%" height="500px" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen allow="geolocation"></iframe>

DISCLAIMER: ALTHOUGH THE DATA FOUND IN THIS BLOG AND INFOGRAPHIC HAS BEEN PRODUCED AND PROCESSED FROM SOURCES BELIEVED TO BE RELIABLE, NO WARRANTY EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED CAN BE MADE REGARDING THE ACCURACY, COMPLETENESS, LEGALITY OR RELIABILITY OF ANY SUCH INFORMATION. THIS DISCLAIMER APPLIES TO ANY USES OF THE INFORMATION WHETHER ISOLATED OR AGGREGATE USES THEREOF.

A little humor never hurt

McConnell gives tax cuts to billionaires but cuts benefits for working Americans

Republicans shower tax cuts on their rich donors

Republicans steal tax funds from the poor to pay their rich donors

Rick Scott wrote the GOP plan to kill Social Security

Republicans cut benefit for seniors

The only power working Americans have is their ability to organize and vote when billionaires have rigged the system and bought political control.

Republicans deny the needy healthcare and social security

Share this Newsletter:

Share on twitter
Share on linkedin
Share on facebook

DemLabs applies innovative technology and storytelling tools in service of democratic values. It lowers the barrier of funding for worthy candidates and non-profits by applying existing free/affordable solutions.