The Americans are optimistic by their nature. And they are hopeful.

I will work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to preserve the Social Security promise that provides secure retirement benefits for all, especially those who are most at risk such as widows, orphans, and people with disabilities when the need arises.

Currently, more than 4.7 million African Americans receive Social Security benefits, and nearly 8 million people with disabilities depend on Social Security for their daily sustenance.

While Social Security faces some long-term challenges, the system is not in crisis.

We don`t charge people for making a mistake or doing something foolish.

We need to have Bill Cosby month in Philadelphia.

Without Social Security, poverty rates for African American seniors would more than double.

Now we are raising the debt limit 3 times, up to $8 trillion, so that our children and our grandchildren will have to pay for the cost of our expenditures.

But the point you need to know is that no president at war cut taxes $1.5 trillion, like George W. Bush did.

Democracy derailed is democracy denied.

The Presidents proposed privatization plan would jeopardize that security by cutting guaranteed benefits for future retirees and endangering the benefits of current retirees, people with disabilities, and children who have lost a parent.