"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
Retirees Angered by Congressional Defeat of Help for Social Security Recipients
December 08, 2010
Amidst Talk of Tax Cuts for the Rich, Republicans Block Help for Struggling Seniors
For Immediate Release
December 8, 2010
The following statement was issued today by Edward F. Coyle, Executive Director of the Alliance for Retired Americans, in response to the defeat of bills in both the U.S House and Senate to provide a one-time $250 payment to seniors.
“In a week defined by tax cuts for millionaires, retirees are stunned and outraged that Congress would reject a one-time $250 payment to seniors who, for the second year in a row, have been denied a Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) by an arcane and outdated federal statistical formula.
“This legislation is critical to retirees, but unfortunately, congressional Republicans overwhelmingly chose to oppose it. While Democrats continue to protect Social Security, Republicans continue to advocate risky schemes to privatize it and cut benefits. America’s seniors deserve better.
“It is the height of callous hypocrisy that many on Capitol Hill can simultaneously lead the fight for tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans while at the same time deem it excessive to give $250 to retirees struggling to heat their homes and put food on the table in this cold winter.
“The average senior receives $1172 per month from Social Security, an amount on which it is very difficult to make ends meet. A one-time $250 payment may be just dinner and drinks for those on Wall Street, but it would make a real difference for seniors on Main Street.
“Retirees are terribly disappointed by these votes on Capitol Hill.”
# # #
Contact:
David Blank (202) 637-5275
dblank@retiredamericans.org
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