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Activists protest tax breaks, benefit cuts
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By Leon Lagerstam, llagerstam@qconline.com
By Leon Lagerstam, llagerstam@qconline.com
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DAVENPORT -- Local activists gathered outside senators' offices on Monday to talkabout "no-no's." "No" to tax breaks for the richest 2 percent and "no" tocuts in Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid benefits served as rallying cries. Sixteen people representing labor unions, the Alliance for Retired Americans, Progressive Action for the Common Good, MoveOn and other groups met in front of the U.S. Bank building at the corner of 2nd and Main streets in Davenport with signs reading "Hands Off My Social Security." They also sang two choruses of a quasi-Christmas carol, "Vote for Income Tax Equality," to the tune of "Deck the Halls," with verses such as "cuts for millionaires are folly" interlaced with ''fa la la la la, la la la la." U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, has an office on the building's seventh floor, but a note on his door said he was out of the office and wouldn't be back until morning, according to Dino Leone, Quad City Federation of Labor vice president. They left informational fliers, including a Batman comic titled ''Wake Up SLAP! on Social Security'' brought by Tom Seymour, of the QC Alliance for Retired Americans. In the comic, Batman slaps a character who said, "If we want to get a fiscal cliff deal, Social Security should be on the table."Batman's comic-bubble reply was, "Social Security doesn't contribute to the deficit you moron,'' according to the flier. "Social Security doesn't add one penny to the deficit and shouldn't be used as an excuse for it,'' Mr. Leone said. The protest coincided with International Human Rights Day, with people across the nation participating in more than 100 Candlelight Campaign events opposing tax breaks for the richest and cuts to Social Security, Medicaid and Medicare. Local activists carrying small, electric tea light-sized candles gathered in front of the Rock Island office of U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., earlier Monday, Mr. Leone said.Temperatures dropped considerably between the two gatherings, but, according to Jay Saxon, of U.S. Steel Workers Local 105, it wasn't as bad as a ''freeze out by the government." 
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Today is Friday, May 24, the 144th day of 2013. There are 221 days left in the year.
1863 -- 150 years ago: A military escort will be at the square at 9 a.m. tomorrow forthe funeral of Lieut. Joseph Eaton. The county judge is absent in Chicago, which willaccount for his not being in the procession.
1888 -- 125 years ago: Rock Island's City Council last night appropriated $95,000 forexpenses for the 1888 and 1889 fiscal year.
1913 -- 100 years ago: Mrs. F.W. Reimers last night was re-elected president of the RockIsland Musical Club at a meeting in the New Harper Hotel.
1938 -- 75 years ago: Seven members of Boy Scout Troop 21 got their Eagle badges lastnight. They were Ralph Hurt, Robert Nelson, Howard Schersten, Cecil Nelson, RobertFryxell, Clarence Stone and Rollin Hurt.
1963 -- 50 years ago: Mayor Morris Muhleman has resorted to a form letter in an effort toanswer objections to the wheel tax increase. "It was my hope that I could, in some way,restore the faith of the citizens in our city. In order to do this I knew I must face the factthat I would become very unpopular."All they are trying to do is protect the citizensproperty and build their town.
1988 -- 25 years ago: RICCA, the Rock Island County Council on Addictions, inconjunction with the Quad City Downs, will hold its annual "Night at the Races" June 2.The benefit "Night at the Races" will raise funds locally to assist in maintaining the twohalfway houses, New Hope Lodge (for women) and Beacon House (for men).
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