By Doug Cunningham

The New York City Central Labor Council's Ed Ott says the battle to save social security is a must-win for labor and progressives.

[Ed Ott 1]: "We cannot afford to lose this fight. This is the end of everything we¹ve built over 75 years. If they do this, nothing, nothing will survive."

Ott says social security is NOT in crisis and Republicans who have always hated it now see a political opportunity to destroy it.

[Ed Ott2]: "They like the idea that people are out there scratchin¹ and clawin¹ for their next meal because it lowers the wage bill for the employers. That's what it¹s about."

The AFL-CIO is launching a massive grassroots national campaign to stop social security privatization cold. Part of its mission is to give Democrats steel spine implants.

[Ed Ott3]: "They have to get some steel in their spine on this one. We mean it. We expect them to defend the system ­ whatever it takes."

Younger workers, Ott says, have got to understand social security works and will be there for them. He says they should not be suckered by propaganda about a false crisis from social security privateers.