Fwd: Friday Alert - September 17, 2004

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Alliance for Retired Americans

888 16th Street, NW Suite 520 • Washington, DC 20006

 

202.974.8222 • www.retiredamericans.org • arafridayalert

September 17, 2004

 

Editor: Bette Cooper

 

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Kourpias Tells Activists: “Now is Time for Action”

“The health and economic security of older Americans, their children and

grandchildren depends on the outcome of the 2004 election,” warns George J.

Kourpias, President of the Alliance for Retired Americans. “So, it is time for

us to stop talking about a war that ended more than 30 years ago and begin

focusing on the job ahead: Recapturing the American dream. A key ingredient of

the American dream is economic security. For workers, it means jobs that allow

them to earn enough money to pay the mortgage or rent, buy groceries, send their

children to safe schools with skilled and well-paid teachers, go to the doctor

when necessary and pay for their medications. For retirees, it means protecting

and preserving the current Social Security and Medicare programs and any pension

and health benefits promised by their former employers. Americans want their

country and their agenda back. We can make it happen but only if we are willing

to work harder than we ever have before. The 2004 elections

will take place just 46 days from today so there is not a minute to waste. Now

is the time for action.”

 

Here are some things that Alliance activists can do to educate other individuals

as well as help increase the number of seniors who vote:

Attend the September 29 “Seniors Rally” across from the White House:

http://www.retiredamericans.org/events

Host A Presidential Debate Watch Party:

http://www.retiredamericans.org/watchparty

Use our Seniors' Election Year Issues Package:

http://www.retiredamericans.org/srissues

Register to Vote!: http://www.retiredamericans.org/vote04

 

Know Where Presidential Candidates Stand on Social Security and Medicare

Because so much is at stake in the 2004 election, it is essential that older

American take a closer look at where the two major candidates for President

stand on Social Security and Medicare:

 

Social Security--President George W. Bush is committed to a plan to privatize

Social Security which would allow younger workers to invest part of their Social

Security payroll taxes in private investment accounts but neglects to mention

that his plan would cost $2 trillion in transition costs, and put the risk of

investing on the shoulders of average Americans without the financial savvy to

make wise investments. Democratic candidate Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) opposes any

form of privatization of Social Security.

 

 

Medicare--President Bush pushed a Medicare bill through Congress, last year,

that completely revamps the current system. The new law, which goes into effect

on January 1, 2006, gives drug companies a $139 billion payoff; forces older

Americans to leave the traditional fee-for-service program and join a

managed-care plan where they will pay more for doctor’s visits; and allows drug

companies to set higher prices by forbidding Medicare from negotiating prices

and making it illegal to import safe, FDA-approved drugs from Canada. In

addition, the drug benefit leaves seniors with a huge gap in coverage and

jeopardizes their employer-provided health benefits. Sen. Kerry supports

universal and affordable drug coverage for everyone under Medicare, a law that

puts seniors first -- not drug companies and HMOs. He also supports legislation

to allow Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices for seniors and to permit all

Americans to buy less expensive prescription drugs from countries like

Canada.

 

 

The 109th Congress will vote on privatization and other proposals that could

transform Social Security from a government-backed entitlement program

guaranteeing a monthly income for retirees, workers’ survivors and the disabled

into an investment program. The 109th Congress will also have the power to

correct the mistakes of the flawed new Medicare bill, including the confusing

and unfair drug benefit. “Our job as activists is to help elect a President and

enough pro-senior candidates to the House and Senate to ensure that Social

Security is protected not privatized and necessary improvements are made to the

Medicare bill before it goes into effect,” says Edward F. Coyle, Executive of the Alliance for Retired Americans.

 

 

State Alliances Flex Muscles at Grassroots

The Alliance’s state groups continue to expand their strength at the grassroots

level with events designed to promote the organization and its agenda. Three

state Alliances held events this week: The California Alliance for Retired

Americans drew 250 delegates from across the state to its annual convention in

Sacramento. A highlight of the meeting was a field trip to the office of Gov.

Arnold Schwarzenneger where delegates presented him with a giant pen and a list

of the group’s “top twelve” bills awaiting his signature. Longtime Alliance

activist Howard Owens was honored for “his leadership on behalf of seniors” at

the organization’s first annual Carino Awards Banquet. The Florida Alliance for

Retired Americans refused to let Hurricane Ivan stop it from conducting a very

successful three-day Seniors Rally in New Port Richey. President Tony Fransetta

reports, “141 activists took time off from boarding up their houses and fighting

gas lines to attend the event. Rep. Jim Davis (D-11th)

was a guest speaker. Connie Engholm, Deputy Director of Field Mobilization at

the national Alliance, announced the national organization’s endorsement of

Democratic candidate Betty Castor for Florida’s open Senate seat. In Las Vegas,

the Nevada Alliance for Retired Americans hosted an event at which Alliance

Executive Director Edward F. Coyle announced the Alliance’s endorsement of Tom

Gallagher for the House seat in the state’s 3rd Congressional district.

 

The Pennsylvania Alliance for Retired Americans (PARA) will hold its first

 

General Board meeting September 21 at the AFSMCE Conference Center, 150 South

43rd Street, in Harrisburg. The meeting will begin at 10:00 am and end at 3:30pm

and will serve to brief affiliate members on PARA’s growth and development since

the Founding Convention in May as well as discuss future development and

outreach. RSVP by email to: dpere, or by fax to (717)

231-2865 or by phone to (717) 231-2866.

 

 

Become part of a progressive grassroots movement! Join the Alliance:

www.retiredamericans.org/join

 

 

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" It is impossible to defeat an ignorant man in argument. " -- William G. McAdoo

" Providing health care to all Iraqis is sound policy. Providing

health care to all Americans is socialism. " -- anon