Mary Kirpes is an Arizona resident who joins us on Blog for America today to share her personal story of Social Security.

In reference to President Bush's idea for privatizing social security, I believe it would be disastrous. The reason is simple... risk. If you think private investments—or even company pensions—are the best way to prepare for the future, you should read my story:

My husband and I, married for 25 years, invested early in stocks, bonds and pensions. We were warned that Social Security would not be there for us at retirement, so we thought these private investments would carry us through our golden years.

Some of our choices were poor and we lost every dime we invested in those particular stocks and bonds. Now—in our mid-fifties—we're finding significant problems with many of our other investments as well. For example, we were recently informed that our state's governor mismanaged my husband's union pension plan and we may never receive any of it.

Recently, I followed up on our bonds that became due in November 2004 and I was informed that somehow, our new address was "lost" in paperwork (despite the fact that I called to update our address last April) and the bonds were turned over to the state. Naturally, we asked how to recover the money and we were told that they didn't know! They don't even know what state has our money! The search continues...

A few years ago we fell on hard times and had to sell some of our other investments—while they were at their lowest—in order to pay urgent expenses. All of that money is now gone. After many years of hard work and investing in the stock market, we won't have what we need to retire. We may only have the one thing that we were told would not be there for us... Social Security. It is our safety net, and hopefully it will be there for you as well.

—Mary Kirpes

Mary Shindell is a Meetup host for Ann Arbor, Michigan.

I am pleased to report on our success in Washtenaw County, Michigan.

Beginning last Spring, we encouraged DFA meetup attendees to run for Precinct Delegate. At every Meetup we reminded everyone about this effort. We ran 47 candidates in the August Primar and 40 won, out of a total of 174 PDs elected in Washtenaw County.

There are still about 40 empty PD seats in the county where no one ran. We are now seeking people to fill those empty seats. This is part of the organizational infrastructure building to prepare for the midterms. We are changing the tradition of leaving this until the last minute!

Our efforts were also successful in getting people who have been active in DFA elected to our Washtenaw County Democratic Party Executive Board. Seven out of the 10 of the County Party Officers are now DFA'ers. Several DFA leaders have also been elected to the State Central Committee.

Our coalition of DFA Michigan Meetup hosts decided to promote joining the Justice Caucus of the Michigan Democratic Party (also known as the Progressive Caucus of the MDP). The Justice Caucus board was so pleased to have us join, they voted to double the size of their board so that it is now at least half DFA leaders.

We organized a fundraiser/celebration for the Justice Caucus following the Michigan Democratic Convention last Saturday in Detroit. We had food, beer & wine, music, video and even a silent auction of signed Dean merchandise. It was a blast!

—Mary Shindell