"Raising the retirement age would inflict further hardship among a group of workers who are likely to face health and economic problems in their 60s." –Doug Hart, President, Arizona Alliance for Retired Americans
"Of all the lies and confusion that still surround the Affordable Care Act, perhaps the greatest is that it is bad for seniors." - Dave Meinell, President, Missouri Alliance for Retired Americans
"My father died when I was three. Because of Social Security (survivors) benefits, my Mom, my younger sister and I survived." – Diane Fleming, DC Alliance Member
"We fear that Congress will balance the budget on the backs of the 98 percent, which is working Montanans and retired Montanans. We simply cannot afford these devastating cuts to vital services such as Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid," –John Forkan, President, Montana Alliance for Retired Americans
"Along with national parks and Social Security, Medicare is one of the best ideas we Americans have ever devised." -Tim Cunningham, New Mexico Alliance Member
"Seniors have earned and deserve their Social Security checks, and they shouldn't have to go to Congress every 10 years and beg for the program to be renewed." –James Parent, Alliance for Retired Americans Regional Board Member
"Today's retirees paid Medicare and Social Security taxes in every paycheck we ever earned. Now that we are retired, these programs help us to be able to stay healthy and pay our bills. They are the promise we make to people who worked hard all their lives, and we need to keep that promise for today’s workers." –Tony Fransetta, President, Florida Alliance for Retired Americans
"Today's seniors want to lower the budget deficit. We do not want a large debt to be the legacy we leave to future generations, but we should not punish people who have paid Social Security taxes all their lives." –Jim Moore, President, North Carolina Alliance for Retired Americans
"Social Security should remain what it has been for 77 years – a solid, reliable way that generations of workers have been able to retire with dignity, economic security, and peace of mind." –Barbara J. Easterling, President, Alliance for Retired Americans
"The fight for Social Security and Medicare is part of a larger fight for justice and fairness"—Barbara J. Easterling, President, Alliance for Retired Americans
"The health insurance reform helps not just seniors, but also middle-class families and young Americans, who are just starting to see the benefits. Don’t let Republicans take all that away." –Don Rowen, President Emeritus, Iowa Alliance for Retired Americans
"Honoring the promise of Social Security and Medicare should not be a partisan issue. Honoring the contributions that we make throughout our working years so that we may feed and clothe ourselves, keep a roof over our heads and those of our family, there is no reason for that to be a hotly contested partisan issue." –Edward Coyle, Executive Director, Alliance for Retired Americans
"We need to make sure that people who need Social Security to make ends meet will have it, and not fall victim to ill-informed and unnecessary cuts to these vital programs."
–Barbara J. Easterling, President, Alliance for Retired Americans
Press Releases
Ohio Retiree Reaction to State of Union: Don’t Balance Budget on Backs of Seniors
January 27, 2010
Ohio Retiree Reaction to State of Union:
Don’t Balance Budget on Backs of Seniors
The following statement was issued today by David Friesner, President of the Ohio Alliance for Retired Americans in response to budget deficit proposals in President Obama’s State of the Union address:
“Ohio retirees support President Obama’s call to reduce the federal budget deficit. They are very uncomfortable with large debt, and do not want to leave behind such a legacy to their children and grandchildren.
“We cannot, however, balance the budget on the back of America’s seniors. Vital programs such as Social Security and Medicare did not cause these large deficits. Reckless tax breaks to the wealthiest Americans and to large corporations bear much of the blame.
“Since their creation, Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid have worked well to keep millions of America’s seniors healthy and out of poverty. 2 million Ohioans receive Social Security every month, and two in three seniors receive half or more of their income from Social Security. One in five receive all of their income from Social Security. Medicare has reduced senior poverty by two-thirds.
“The reason why Medicare costs are rising is our national failure to reform health care. We must pass a strong health reform bill immediately. It will improve not only our physical health, but also our nation’s fiscal health.
“What is needed is better health care that is comprehensive, coordinated, and customer centered. In Ohio we need to spend the state Medicaid dollars more wisely and emphasize community based care over more expensive nursing homes.
“Americans of all ages have seen their retirement savings badly damaged by Wall Street’s reckless behavior and unchecked greed. We must strengthen – not weaken – retirement savings in this country, including private pensions and 401(k) plans. As distrust in government rises, it is more important than ever that our government honors its commitments to Americans of all ages.
“The Ohio Alliance for Retired Americans looks forward to working with the Ohio congressional delegation and the Obama Administration to improve our economy and the quality of life for current and future retirees.”
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