Greater Palatine Area Democrats was proud to be a co-sponsor of last week's rally to SAY NO! to Republicans who want to sunset Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and Education Funding, held in Elk Grove Village and organized by Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi. A small crew of GPAD volunteers braved an afternoon snowstorm to attend the rally. With Republicans controlling the U.S. House, there is no guarantee that these long-funded programs will be protected. Generations of Americans have paid into Social Security, with the good will of the U.S. Government standing behind a promise to help Americans in their old age. And Medicare is critical for seniors as well. Federal dollars spent on education has enormous positive outcomes--if federal education dollars are cut by just 10 percent, academic achievement drops seven percent, and graduation rates drop by three percent. Medicaid is also vulnerable--that's the state-federal health program that covers 90 million Americans, mostly children and the elderly, especially families with disabled children. Call local and federal officials and tell them NO to cutting Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid or Education Funding.