Mitt Romney recently turned 65. He celebrated his birthday by doing what he does nearly every day – by saying something that reminds us of just how out of touch he is.
On his 65th birthday Mitt Romney said no thanks to Medicare, choosing instead to keep his own private health insurance. Maybe if you were born into the Romney family, you would have that luxury. But for the rest of us, Medicare is the only affordable way to see a doctor or fill a prescription.
It makes you wonder if perhaps Romney lives in such an isolated world that he thinks no one needs Medicare. That could explain why he not only wants to repeal the health reform law’s new benefits for seniors, but would also switch much of Medicare to a privatized voucher program. Under the Romney plan, seniors would get a small voucher to purchase coverage in the expensive, unfair private insurance market. That’s not Medicare for seniors, that’s welfare for corporations.
When we talk with our neighbors and children and grandchildren, we must remind them that before Medicare and Social Security, people used to work until the day they died. Many seniors lived out their final years in bad health and terrible poverty. We have come a long way in this country, and we cannot let politicians like Mitt Romney take us back.
Social Security and Medicare are what give middle class workers hope and faith that someday, when their working days are over, they will be able to relax and enjoy a break after decades of hard work. This is a promise America must continue to keep.
Barbara J. Easterling is president of the Alliance for Retired Americans. She was previously the secretary-treasurer of the Communications Workers of America.
by Tony Fransetta - President of the Florida Alliance for Retired Americans
January 30 was President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s birthday. I remember a time not too long ago when Americans were proud of their elected officials and especially their President. This was a time when we didn’t always agree with each other but we were nice about it. We didn’t call names; we recognized good work and thanked those who worked to make life better for the workers. Such was the case with President Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR).
President Roosevelt entered into his first term when there were over 13 million Americans out of work and every bank was shut down. Sometimes we think that we have it bad today but those Americans living during the great depression — they knew how just bad things could get. It was fortunate for them that FDR came along when he did. FDR was able to turn our great nation’s economy around, he had a vision for American workers — he gave them jobs. FDR established the New Deal, he put Americans back to work on infrastructure projects, he established the Tennessee Valley Authority to produce energy, he levied higher taxes on the wealthiest Americans and he implemented Social Security. Until the dawn of Social Security in 1935, Americans either dropped dead at work or when they became too old and/or ill to continue working, they lived a life of abject poverty relying on the mercies of family and strangers.
Today many Americans are unemployed due to no fault of their own, Social Security is under attack, and tax loop holes for wealthy Americans are at an all-time high. President Obama has tried work towards solutions but with very little compromise on behalf of the sitting Congress. I believe it is time to plow forward like FDR, time to re-enact a New Deal for American workers and retirees. Allow the wealthiest Americans to pay a percentage of taxes that is comparable to that of the average worker. Save Social Security for current and future retirees, put Americans back to work.
The New York City Alliance for Retired Americans along with a number of other senior organizations coordinated an event with the Occupy Wall Street Movement last Monday the 21st. The event included a solidarity march in which occupiers and seniors marched to Zuccotti Park. Before the march there was a forum held called “Intergenerational Dialogue” Forum where many speakers talked about cuts to Medicare, Social Security, and Medicare and how these cuts would affect the 99%.
A number of labor speakers that talked about how these cuts would affect them and people like them. Many of these speakers are part of the senior movement, including Michael Burgess, who is a policy consultant for New York Statewide Senior Action Council and was the former Director of the New York State Office for the Aging. Natasha Perez also spoke; she is the Regional Field Director for the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare. Also the Alliance’s very own Nancy True, Director of IBT Local 237 Retirees Division delivered remarks.
This successful demonstration brought a lot of attention to senior issues. These types of demonstrations are necessary to call attention to senior issues such as Medicare and Social Security. Congress needs to know that they cannot simply cut senior programs without a major backlash that they will feel both in the media and the polls.
Retirees with the Washington State Alliance for Retired Americans held a meeting Friday, November 18th at Senator Patty Murray’s office in Tacoma, as the "Super Committee" entered the final hours of their deliberations. This wasn’t a discussion about abstract financial debates, or complex political agreements - it was about real people. These retirees weren’t political insiders that understand the games that politicians play or lobbyists that are paid by powerful special interests. They were regular people who live in Washington State, working hard every day to get by in tough times, and relying on Senator Murray to remember their stories as the "Super Committee" finished its work.
Senator Murray’s office was moved by the presentation of hand-written stories from members across generations identifying the impact of potential cuts to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid as well as by personalized testimonies from members Bette Reed from Seattle, and Nancy Lawson from Gig Harbor.
The Washington Alliance put real faces on real problems.
Bette Reed from Seattle is solely dependent on Social Security for her income, and she is by no means alone. She explains the hardship that cutting Social Security would cause for her and others, and the direct impact it would have on increasing the poverty rate among seniors and other populations in Washington and nationwide. She also points out that she does not expect to receive Social Security for nothing. In fact, Reed has contributed to Social Security throughout her entire life, beginning in 1951. Watch her compelling testimony here.
Nancy Lawson from Gig Harbor speaks to Patty Murray here:
The Super Committee announced Monday, November 21st that they could not come to a bi-partisan agreement to reduce the federal deficit by $1.2 trillion. This came as good news to seniors in Washington state and across the country as reports indicated many cuts on the table would have fallen on those least able to afford them – seniors and low-income individuals who rely on Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid just to survive – instead of large corporations and the wealthiest individuals. However, the budget deficit debate is not over and retirees will remain engaged and vocal. They will continue to work to make sure that the budget is not balanced only on the backs of seniors and working people who did not create the current crisis and cannot afford to solely fix it.
Early November was an ominous time for many social programs, including Social Security and Medicare. The Super Committee was closing in on its November 23rd deadline and scrambling to make their $1.2 trillion mark. This meant that Social Security and Medicare were on the congressional chopping block, and seniors were not going to take it laying down. Their frustration and outright rage at lawmakers nickel and diming the elderly finally spilled over on November 7th as seniors took to the streets with the Occupy Movement in Chicago. A number of senior groups joined the protestors in Federal Plaza, including the Illinois Alliance for Retired Americans.
The seniors were fearless in order to gain support for their cause, they joined the protestors as they marched a block from the park into the intersection of Jackson and Clark. They achieved their goal by bringing traffic to a standstill as protestors stood and sat in the middle of the intersection. Police quickly ushered protestors off the street and issued over 40 citations, however the seniors and protestors would not be discouraged. Many said they would do whatever it took to ensure their benefits weren’t cut. They scoffed at the idea jail, saying that would be a small price to pay to ensure there were no cuts to Medicare and Social Security. "People are already living on starvation amounts of money. It's not time to cut," said protester Tom Wilson.
Seniors are finding support among other politicians as well. Illinois Senator Dick Durbin said:
Social Security has served America for over 70 years. Let's stand behind Social Security and make it strong.
Representative Danny Davis, that represents the 7th district of Illinois echoed Durbin’s thoughts saying: “Get your hands off Social Security. Get your hands off Medicaid. Don't mess with Medicare." It is clear that the seniors’ message is heard and supported. This is evident by the failure of the Super Committee to reach any kind of deal on November 23rd.It is now a matter of holding politicians’ feet to the fire, making sure they stand by their words and their constituents. "We are citizens too. We vote too," said Ruth Davis, one of the protesters in Chicago.
The overall outcry from protestors garnered the attention from lawmakers. Many agree, now is not the time to cut. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) came to speak at the protest, admonishing Washington for trying to balance the budget on the back of seniors. This month, joining the Alliance Retired Americans and the Strength Social Security campaign, Schakowsky unveiled a report titled The High Cost to Illinois of Raising the Medicare Age. The report details how increasing the retirement age to 67 negatively impact on the state, costing individuals; businesses and the State of Illinois a whopping $524 million more in the first year alone. The answer to the states’ and country’s debt problems are not rooted in social programs.
Congress should remember that as the 2012 elections are around the corner, and senior issues promise to be a key campaign issue.
A new report issued this week by Strengthen Social Security & the Alliance for Retired Americans shows Social Security, Medicare & Medicaid provide benefits to 1 out of every 9 residents in Maryland's 8th district and contribute $2.9 billion per year to 8th district’s economy.
The report comes out just as Representative Chris Van Hollen of Maryland’s 8th District finishes his work on the congressional Super Committee tasked with reducing the federal deficit. The Committee must recommend at least $1.2 trillion in spending cuts by November 23. The full Congress must then approve these recommendations by the end of the year, or it will trigger automatic deficit reduction.
On a conference call Wednesday, David Waugh, 80, of Bethesda explained the ways that Social Security and Medicare helps Americans who have worked hard all their lives. Waugh began paying into Social Security at the age of 16 when he worked a factory job. When he found himself a widower in his 40’s while working full-time, Social Security allowed him to continue working and put his kids through school. Waugh's family again received vital help from Social Security when one of David’s sons was disabled in adulthood. David is now a retiree and Social Security has again become a key part of his financial stability, along with with Medicare. Without Medicare, he would have been unable to afford his surgery and the treatment to help him recover from his recent had emergency surgery for a brain tumor. David Waugh said:
“Social Security has taken a burden from the family…I don’t know how I would plan my life without it. Without Medicare, I would have been wiped out and deep in debt. I cannot imagine a world without it.”
Nancy Altman, who participated in the call yesterday said:
“Too often political and media elites talk about these programs as just cold, unfeeling facts and figures, as if they are divorced from the people whose lives they touch. Too often, the programs are talked about as ‘problems’ when in fact they really are ‘solutions’ – solutions that provide benefits that have been earned through the hard work of Americans.”
Although programs like Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid are widely scapegoated in federal deficit discussions, today’s report points out that they are not the true cause of the deficit. The report notes the large recent run-up in federal deficits resulted largely from 2001 and 2003 tax cuts; unpaid costs of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars; the Great Recession which dramatically reduced tax collections, and the Wall Street bank bailout. Correspondingly, in seeking solutions to the federal deficit, the Super Committee should be looking at its causes and should not be cutting Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, which are absolutely vital to the economic security of this nation.
Highlights from the new report:
• Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid spend a total of about $2.9 billion a year in Maryland’s 8th district, providing benefits to an average of 1 out of every 9 residents for each program. • Social Security provided benefits to more than 1 in 9 (12.2 percent) 8th district residents in 2010, with an average benefit of $14,368 per year. • Without Social Security, the elderly poverty rate in Maryland would increase from 1 out of 11 (9.2 percent) to one out of 3 (34.1 percent) residents. • Social Security never has and will never contribute to federal budget deficits because, by law, it does not have borrowing authority. • Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid are a lifeline for residents of Maryland and the lifeblood of many small businesses, hospitals and nursing homes and home caregivers. Most of the jobs they create stay in America. Cutting these programs would threaten our families’ economic security and health and deepen our jobs crisis. • Two-thirds of all Medicaid spending is for seniors and people with disabilities. One out of every four (16 million) seniors and people with disabilities depended on Medicaid in 2010.
A new report came out yesterday outlining the importance of Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid to residents in South Carolina’s 6th District and for the state’s economy.
Turns out, these three programs provide benefits to 1 out of every 5 residents and contribute $4.2 billion per year to South Carolina's 6th district economy alone.
This report comes out just as South Carolina Representative James Clyburn of the 6th District finishes his work on the congressional Super Committee tasked with reducing the federal deficit. The Committee needs to recommend at least $1.2 trillion in spending cuts by November 23. The full Congress must approve these recommendations by the end of the year, or it will trigger automatic deficit reduction.
Linda Pressley, a Nesmith resident, was on a press conference call Tuesday morning with the SC Alliance for Retired Americans and the Strengthen Social Security campaign. Pressley is just one South Carolinian who relies on Social Security. She worked hard for 17 years on assembly lines, spending the whole day on her feet in addition to serving as the primary caregiver for her father, mother, and nephew, who has mental health issues. Despite her need to stay in the workforce, Linda had surgery on both knees and can no longer do the work she’s trained to do. Without her job, her only income is Social Security long-term disability. This morning she said, “I’m one of the people who relies on Social Security to take care of myself. … Without Social Security, I would probably be homeless.”
Although programs like Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid are widely scapegoated in federal deficit discussions, today’s report points out that they are not the true cause of the deficit. The report notes the large recent run-up in federal deficits resulted largely from 2001 and 2003 tax cuts; unpaid costs of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars; the Great Recession which dramatically reduced tax collections, and the Wall Street bank bailout. Correspondingly, in seeking solutions to the federal deficit, the Super Committee should be looking at its causes and should not be cutting Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, which are absolutely vital to the economic security of this nation.
Highlights from the new report:
Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid spend a total of about $4.2 billion a year in South Carolina’s 6th district, providing benefits to an average of 1 out of every 5 residents for each program.
Social Security provided benefits to 1 out of 8 (11.8 percent) residents in 2010, with a typical benefit received by a retired worker in South Carolina’s 6th district of $13,801.
Without Social Security, the elderly poverty rate in South Carolina would increase from 1 out of 9 (11 percent) to half of all (50.7 percent) residents.
Social Security never has and will never contribute to federal budget deficits because, by law, it does not have borrowing authority.
Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid are a lifeline for residents of South Carolina’s 6th district, and the lifeblood of many small businesses, hospitals, nursing homes and home caregivers. Most of the jobs they create stay in America. Cutting these programs would threaten our families’ economic security and health and deepen our jobs crisis.
Medicare spending generally rises less than private health insurance. From 1997 - 2009, Medicare’s annual costs per beneficiary rose far less than those of private health insurance. Cutting Medicare’s benefits simply shifts costs to the sickest and oldest among us, forcing some seniors and people with disabilities to forego treatment, living shorter, less healthy – and more medically costly – lives as a result.
Two-thirds of all Medicaid spending is for seniors and people with disabilities. One out of every four (16 million) seniors and people with disabilities depended on Medicaid in 2010.
Tony Fransetta is President of the Florida Alliance for Retired Americans, with a membership of over 200,000 in the Sunshine State
By the time we reach our golden years, we are faced with issues from day to day can seem overwhelming. However, with age comes wisdom, and many seniors in Florida know that we cannot afford to slow down or disengage. Instead, we must remain involved in world events and the struggles our children and grandchildren undertake for a better future.
The demonstrations on Wall Street over the past two weeks by our country’s young people are educating the public on the excessive greed of Wall Street, the outcomes of bailouts with our tax dollars, and the endless problems Wall Street continues to cause for working America. The actions of the anti-Wall Street protesters camped out in a Lower Manhattan park are now inspiring actions across the country and attracting broad-based backing from labor unions and community organizations.
We told our children and grandchildren to go to school and get a good education. For what? America is failing these generations. Where are the jobs? Overseas. Where is the capital? In offshore accounts.
It is clear that our enemies are not only on Wall Street, but are also the Members of Congress funded by that top 2%. These politicians claim that the super-rich and largest corporations are “job creators” and shouldn't be asked to pay their fair share. We don’t buy it. The only jobs created by them are in China, Mexico, India, Cambodia, and elsewhere.
Our children and grandchildren cannot find dignified work, let alone hope to retire with dignity under the current system. We must remain determined not just to create good jobs, but to protect the programs like Medicare and Social Security that have allowed Americans to retire with dignity.
Unfortunately, as big corporations and the super-rich shatter the dreams of our youth for a decent job, they are also actively working to destroy programs that are currently in place to assure them decent years later in life. They spread lies about programs like Social Security, seeking to convert the program to a private account system. Good for Wall Street, bad for the financial security of our young people.
Like decent jobs, our youth need decent social insurance programs. Social Security is just another program that serves the 98% of our country and is under attack. For 76 years, through good times and bad, Social Security has paid out every benefit owed to every eligible American. It is completely solvent for the next 25 years.
The most effective way to strengthen Social Security for many future generations is to raise the cap on payroll taxes that go to Social Security, currently capped at $106,800. Currenly, someone earning $106,800 pays the same amount of money into Social Security as billionaires like Bill Gates, because all income above that amount is exempt from the Social Security payroll tax. As a result, 94% of Americans pay Social Security tax on all of their income, but the wealthiest 6% do not.
Fortunately, Senator Bernie Sanders, has introduced an important bill, the "Keeping Our Social Security Promises Act" which would scrap the payroll tax cap for those earning $250,000 per year or more.
However, too many of our elected officials are more concerned with their own elections than about speaking out on behalf of the people they represent in this critical and heartbreaking time. Many refuse to show the kind of courage of Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and Senate candidate Elizabeth Warner in Massachusetts. At least some real courage these days is coming from the youth who are piecing together who’s responsible for the mess we are in and speaking out against Wall Street greed and those who do the bidding of Wall Street.
We need to join the effort to help our children and give courage to our elected representatives to stand up for America's future.
Visiting and calling our elected representatives is absolutely necessary. But more than that, it is time to join our young people in the streets. It’s time to demand for a fairer economy and good jobs that will allow future generations to work and retire with dignity.
Alliance member Brenda Kelley Nelum of Woodbridge, Virginia spoke on Wednesday at the rally at on the U.S. Capitol, where activists told Congress to stop the job-killing budget cuts and take bold action to put Americans back to work.
Many of the protesters at the event were part of the #OccupyWallStreet movement that began two weeks ago in New York City.
Brenda Kelley Nelum said “I am honored to be here today with so many people who understand that it’s time for Congress to ACT to create jobs and get America’s economy moving again. And that it’s CERTAINLY NOT the time to cut our most meaningful programs like Social Security and Medicare!” She also got the crowd chanting “SENIOR POWER!”
As September dawns, Alliance activists across the nation wrap up summer actions focused on celebrating the anniversaries of Social Security and Medicare. Over 70 actions in 30 states garnered plenty of attention from elected officials and the media. Activities ranged from parties celebrating many successful years of the programs (76 for Social Security, 46 for Medicare); to deliveries of cake, letters and petitions to local Congressional offices; to protesting and calling out candidates on their damaging stances against the programs.
This month, the California Alliance hosted a coalition event in San Francisco and Los Angeles that brought together Californians of all ages for a mass delivery of Social Security stories to Senator Dianne Feinstein. They requested Feinstein stand firm on the issue of protecting and preserving Social Security, not just for today's seniors, but for future generations. Not only were seniors and members of the disability community on hand to relay the importance of Social Security in their lives, but young adults from all parts of the state turned out to say "Social Security can be there for my generation. I'm counting on you to protect it and make it work."
In Seattle this month, hundreds of seniors and community activists joined in a 'Medicare birthday march' from Safeco Field to Pike Place Market. Thousands of onlookers were touched by the Washington Alliance's message "Hands off Medicare."
In Warren, Ohio, 100 local residents gathered at a senior center with U.S. Rep. Timothy Ryan to discuss the importance of Social Security as a stable part of the local economy, not just to individuals but for the business community. Rep. Ryan spoke in support of the long term viability of Social Security and defended the need to keep Social Security fiscally sound.
The Rhode Island Alliance presented several Members of Congress, including Senator Sheldon Whitehouse and Congressman David Cicilline, awards for working to protect both Social Security and Medicare.
In New Hampshire, Alliance members and community allies made national news as they protested the visits of presidential nominees Rick Perry and Mitt Romney in both Portsmouth and Lebanon, New Hampshire.
Summer may be wrapping up, but Alliance activity around these issues will continue through the year. Stay tuned.
