Printable Version
January 30, 2006
Monday, January 30, 2006
For Immediate Release
Contact Amy Buffenbarger
202-637-5178
amybuff@retiredamericans.org
Pre -State of the Union
Statement by George J. Kourpias,
President of the Alliance for Retired
Americans, a nationwide grassroots advocacy
organization representing three million retired
workers:
Washington DC - Instead of trying to wash over the fears of those who worry about retirement insecurity, this president should spell out his priorities and how he will make retirement and health care secure. We want answers as to how he plans to straighten out the Medicare drug benefit disaster. This complicated waste of taxpayers’ money has mushroomed into a financial boon to pharmaceuticals and insurance companies, while seniors across the country are without their drugs due to systems glitches and bureaucratic paperwork.
We want the president to tell us that he will work to protect, not destroy, the Social Security system that generations of Americans have paid into and deserve. We want this president to engage in a bi-partisan effort to strengthen and preserve Social Security so that hard-working Americans know when they retire that the money they have counted on is there when they need it most.
Older Americans need certainty regarding their pensions and retirement planning. Retirement security depends on savings, Social Security and the income from pensions. The president is responsible for stepping forward and demanding that the rules be changed to protect, not endanger, the welfare and well being of our citizens.
We are hoping for a State of
the Union address that avoids lofty rhetoric
and speaks to how this administration is going
to address the business of solving those issues
that vex the lives of average, hard-working
Americans.