Just recently, Bob Dole, the 1996 Republican presidential nominee, made a plea to his fellow Republicans in Congress from his wheelchair to back a UN treaty that would prohibit discrimination against the disabled.

Republicans responded by turning their backs on the former Kansas Senator and rejecting the treaty.

This shouldn’t be surprising, because the Republicans are currently arguing for lower tax rates on the wealthy while threatening to cut what they call “entitlements.” But what they really mean are the payments that the disabled depend on for their livelihood, as their disabilities often prevent them from working.

It's this kind of stance that reveals contemporary Congressional Republicans for who they are—the advocates of plutocracy and the representatives of corporate and financial power. This is exactly why the first actions of the coming year should be done in tandem with disabled activists and organizations fighting for the disabled.

The “entitlements” that the Republicans demand be cut, in exchange for letting the top tax rates go back to Clinton-era levels (even though Clinton never cut New Deal and Great Society programs) are the same programs that will most adversely affect the disabled.

Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky has gone on record saying that disabled people should just be forced to work on the first floor in a building, rather than the building being required to provide an elevator. So it’s obvious that his colleagues would also reject protecting the disabled from discrimination.

If we want our anti-austerity movement to be effective in reaching across all boundaries, we should organize with the disabled. They’re likely the first in line to be hit with any potential cuts in what some call “entitlements,” but what others would call their meager way to keep up with rising living expenses.

Disabled activists, given their condition, are the most vulnerable to Congress right now. And they’re also more apt to have free time to organize with their peers against bought Congressmen and the corporations buying them.

All the energy people put into electing new Senators and members of Congress this past election season should organize with the disabled, and those on medicare, against all members of Congress who vote for socialism for the wealthy and capitalism for everyone else not lucky enough to have a lobbyist on their dime in Washington.

A large list of organizations that fight for disability rights can be found here. And a list of disability rights organizers can be found here. If there’s an office for one of those organizations in your town, go there and ask to speak to the executive director. If one of the listed organizers is based in your city, pay them a visit and ask if there’s a way you can team up and combine your efforts.

The incoming Congress should absolutely prioritize the most vulnerable over millionaires. Let’s make sure they go in knowing that.