A little background... I am a professor at Syracuse University's School of Social Work. In 2010 I co-founded Social Security Works, a national organization located in Washington DC, and now chair its board of directors. Social Security Works organized and staffs 
the Strengthen Social Security Coalition of over 300 organizations -- including many of the nation's leading unions, women's, aging, disability, Netroot activist and human rights organizations. Working together, we have blocked proposals to radically cut Social Security's earned benefits. We have also helped bring the idea of expanding Social Security benefits and protections into the political discussion about the future of Social Security, with large majorities of House of Representatives and U.S. Senate Democrats supporting now supporting various proposals to expand Social Security.
In 2016, I ran in a three-way race for the Democratic nomination in the New York's 24th C.D. I was one of six new congressional candidates that Senator Bernie Sanders endorsed and, at the request of the Sanders campaign, I served on the Democratic Party's Platform Committee. I also received endorsements from DFA, Blue America, National Nurses United, Progressive Democrats, Rep.Raul Grijalva, Rep. John Conyers and others. I came in third with 32%, running against two candidates supported by the Democratic establishment. None the worse for the wear, I am pleased that I ran, but have decided for personal reasons against doing so this year.
I am setting up this group to build on the wonderful support I received during my campaign. The goals are to communicate with the many people involved in my campaign and to provide support progressive causes and candidates.
