MORE THAN 50 MILLION PEOPLE RELY ON SOCIAL SECURITY

SOMETHING THAT JOHN MCCAIN CALLED AN "ABSOLUTE DISGRACE."

McCain called the system that has allowed millions of seniors to retire with dignity an “absolute disgrace.” Yet he received $23,157 last year in Social Security checks. (McCain at a Denver town hall meeting, 7/7/08; Associated Press, 7/17/08)

McCain wants to privatize Social Security. He says he is “totally in favor” of personal savings account schemes and will consider raising the retirement age. (Wall Street Journal, 3/3/08)

BARACK OBAMA WILL PROTECT OUR RETIREMENT.

He strongly opposes risky privatization schemes, will eliminate income taxes for seniors making less than $50,000 a year and will work to strengthen Medicare. (Obama campaign website, accessed 8/4/08; Quad-City Times, 9/21/07)