Printable Version
May 2, 2005
Monday, May 2, 2005
For Immediate Release |
ACTRESS OLYMPIA DUKAKIS STARS IN ANTI-PRIVATIZATION SOCIAL SECURITY VIDEO - Call to Arms Urges Seniors to Challenge President's Privatization Claims
Washington, DC—The Alliance for Retired Americans today released a 12-minute educational video narrated by Oscar-winning actress Olympia Dukakis that highlights the perils of Social Security privatization. The video is available on the web here.
Urging seniors to fight privatization for the sake of their children and grandchildren, the video "Saving Social Security" is designed to counter President Bush's repeated claims that seniors will not be affected by privatization and only private investment accounts can save Social Security.
Dukakis said she readily agreed to be part of the Alliance's anti-privatization video project because she saw it as an opportune venue from which to speak out against the president's plan to dismantle Social Security. A mother and grandmother, the 73-year-old actress is featured in the video along with Alliance President George J. Kourpias and other concerned senior citizens.
The Alliance, a nationwide advocacy organization representing the interests of 3 million retired workers and seniors, plans to distribute the video through its state and local chapters, as well as with the help of community-based senior groups.
"For decades Social Security has helped millions and millions of Americans escape poverty and provide the wherewithal to make a go at life following a death or disabling accident," said Dukakis.
"Instead of inciting angst and worry by falsely proclaiming that Social Security is doomed to bankruptcy, the president should be harnessing his efforts and the energies of the federal government to shore up the program and make the kind of changes necessary to ensure Social Security's full benefits are guaranteed for generations to come."
The Alliance decided to produce a Social Security video aimed at a senior audience because President Bush has been claiming with alarming frequency that benefits for current retirees will not be affected, said Alliance President Kourpias. But most importantly, he said, "We need a 'call to arms' for older Americans everywhere. Seniors must stand up and fight not just for the retirement income they earned and deserve, but for the future generations of citizens who will need the peace of mind and security synonymous with Social Security."
The video, which will be edited and used for radio and television spots as well, not only highlights Social Security's successful track record, but features seniors challenging claims by proponents of privatization that the program is facing a crisis and questioning the wisdom of assuming massive debt in order to finance private accounts. Dukakis leads the charge that leaving such debt to today's younger generation is irresponsible.
The video's release coincides with today's launch of the second of four Social Security Petition Truth Truck Tours planned by the Alliance. The five-state New England tour follows on the heels of a 3,000 mile inaugural tour, which featured a flatbed truck hauling more than one million petitions through six states during Congress's two-week Easter Recess. The Truth Trucks are destined for the home districts of lawmakers the Alliance believes can be instrumental is stopping the president's plan to privatize Social Security. A total of 60 Congressional Districts will be visited by time the tour ends in mid July.
"We have the power to make a difference," Kourpias said. "Lawmakers listen when seniors make noise and so, too, better the president. Much is at stake in this fight. Social Security has served us well and deserves to be strengthened and made solvent. It should not be caught in the crossfire of partisan politics.
"Our hope is that lawmakers take the time to make the necessary changes to Social Security so that its full and guaranteed benefits are there for my children and grandchildren. We can't afford to let it go down in smoke simply because it's part of a political agenda. Social Security should be above politics."