Call To Action: $250 Emergency Social Security Payment

The U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate are both scheduled to vote on Wednesday, December 8 on a $250 emergency payment to seniors. The payment would go to seniors, veterans, disabled individuals, and railroad retirees who did not receive a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in 2010 through Social Security or other programs, as well as retired government workers who do not receive Social Security benefits. These beneficiaries received a similar payment in 2009.


TAKE ACTION - -Click on this link:  HERE

BACKGROUND

This is the second consecutive year that Social Security beneficiaries did not receive a COLA. As you know, the Consumer Price Index in Social Security (CPI-W), which measures the rate of inflation, does not accurately reflect the rate of inflation faced by seniors and other Social Security beneficiaries who spend a huge amount of their income on health care. The $250 emergency payment will help with medical, pharmaceutical, and other costs of daily life in these difficult times.  Gasoline prices are climbing once again, insurance *(Gap plans and Medicare Part D plans) premiums are soaring, and an early and harsh winter will cause heating bills to mount up for those on limited and fixed incomes.

The Senate will need 60 votes to stop a filibuster and pass this measure. The House will need a simple majority of votes. You need to make your voices heard.  Simply click the link above to get the phone number and contact information for your representative as well as the main Capitol switchboard.

But, don't delay.  The vote is tomorrow; and the Republicans have already declared war on the middle class and unemployed....Stop them from doing the same thing to Social Security recipients!

Let your representative and senators know that you are watching them and that you are counting on them to protect you by voting in favor of the emergency payment for seniors.  We need your call, please do it now!

Blog Resumes Monday - August 16

On The Road This Week

Conducting rallies celebrating the 75th anniversary of Social Security and countering the radical rights efforts to destroy it.

Blog Resumes: Monday, August 16

After The Health Care Rout - GOP Becomes the Moles in "Whack-a-Mole"

As an older, generously avuncular sort of guy, I am blessed, every so often, to be invited to a child's birthday celebration at one of those pizza joints loaded with kid games.

I am blessed, because, on these occasions, I get to turn loose that wild-eyed little rat, my inner child, and play my favorite game: Whack-A-Mole!

If you've never played this game, you truly are deprived. You stand in front of a table like structure with holes in it, holding a club much like a boxing glove on a stick. Little mole heads pop up and taunt you and you score a point if you pummel it before it retreats back into its hole. Whack-A-Mole.

The radical right and bleating-mouth conservatives, now that they were so sorely thumped and spanked on health care, are like the typically sociopathic 10-year old, and in a tantrum and snit with their nasty little mole-heads popping up in the damnedest places as they target Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid for their screaming fits.

Consider this press release form the Pennsylvania Alliance for Retired Americans:

Retirees Concerned About Gingrich Fund-Raiser for Tim Burns

Point to Former Speaker’s Anti-Social Security and Anti-Medicare Stances

The following statement was issued today by Jean Friday, a Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania resident, who is the President of the Pennsylvania Alliance for Retired Americans:

“Pennsylvania retirees need to keep a close eye on 12th District candidate Tim Burns when he campaigns tomorrow in Latrobe with former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich.

“Burns will be on the receiving end of thousands of dollars raised by Gingrich at a $4,800 per person reception, so it is only reasonable for Pennsylvania seniors to ask Burns if he agrees with Gingrich’s views on Social Security and Medicare.

“Gingrich once said he wanted to cut Medicare to the point where it ‘withers on the vine,’ and he has long championed a privatized Social Security tied to the whims of the stock market. One look at the chaos and scandals on Wall Street in recent years shows just how devastating it would have been for Pennsylvania retirees if Gingrich had his way.

“Social Security and Medicare are two of America’s greatest success stories. They have helped generations of older Americans afford to see a doctor, fill a prescription, and retire with a sense of dignity and stability. The ideas Gingrich has been advocating for years are badly out of touch with the basic needs of seniors here in our state.

“People in my generation judge someone by the company that they keep. If Mr. Burns is going to stand with Newt Gingrich – and raise thousands of dollars for his campaign from Gingrich supporters – Mr. Burns owes it to retirees in southwestern Pennsylvania to tell us where he stands on these issues.”

Keep your eyes open and your reflexes sharply attuned.  These "moles" are popping up everywhere!

Senate Stiffs Seniors on $250 Stimulus!

Retirees Despondent After Senate’s Refusal
of $250 Payment to Seniors

Would Have Helped Many with Life-saving Medications

The following statement was issued today by Edward F. Coyle,
Executive Director of the Alliance for Retired Americans,
in reaction to the Senate’s failure to pass a $250 Economic
Recovery payment for seniors,veterans,and persons with
disabilities.

“Retirees are frustrated and despondent after both President
Obama’s and Sen. Bernie Sanders’ calls for a $250 payment to
help those struggling in this recession have so far fallen
on deaf ears. This proposed act of compassion, had it passed,
would have helped 49 million Social Security recipients,
many of whom have seen their retirement savings and home
values badly shaken by this economic crisis. This helping
hand would have made a real difference in seniors’lives."

“It was bad enough when retirees were told they would not be
receiving a Social Security Cost-of-Living-Adjustment in
2010.  In the worst economy since the Great Depression, it
is unbelievable that Congress has shoveled hundreds of
billions of dollars to Wall Street Robber Barons, yet the
Senate has denied seniors a $250 check.  That amount would
not even cover dinner for one of Wall Street’s fat cats!"

“The purchasing needs of seniors are unique, and often
include medications needed to stay alive.  We insist that
the Senate realize the importance of this $250 payment to
struggling retirees.”

“Alliance members demand that seniors not be ignored, and
will continue their grassroots lobbying in support of this
payment.”

Alliance for Retired Americans Opposes New Plot to Privatize Social Security

Just over a month ago, I wrote warning of a right-wing stealth attempt to slip into the health care reform package, without floor debate, legislation which would reintroduce Social Security privatization and Medicare curtailments.

Well folks, while we've been fighting for an equitable final health care bill, the dementers and death eaters from the right and so-called "center" have been busily advancing their cause under the aegis of the misleadingly titled group; the Bipartisan Task Force for Responsible Action Act of 2009 S.2853.

Yesterday, the four-million member Alliance for Retired Americans issued and delivered to the Senate their letter of opposition:

"...We oppose attempts to attach it to debt ceiling or any other legislation. We cannot support the bill's fast-track means of implementing vast changes to programs such as Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid outside the regular legislative process.

Under the legislation, jurisdiction for major and long-term changes to programs including Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid would be turned over to an 18-member task force, made up of 16 members of Congress and 2 administration officials. Regardless the expertise of task force members, their recommendations would be crafted behind closed doors and subject to fast-track up or down vote by Congress. Forcing changes to these critical benefit programs by eliminating open debate or amendments is an undemocratic way to address the future of such programs.

Since their creation, Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid have worked well to keep millions of America's seniors healthy and out of poverty. Social Security has been the bedrock of income security for nearly all Americans, providing guaranteed benefits to retirees, those with disabilities, and the survivors of retired and deceased workers. Likewise Medicare and Medicaid has helped our nation deliver the promise of well-being and improved quality of life for retirees.

Currently, congressional committees of jurisdiction consider changes and improvements to these vital programs with the opportunity for due consideration and debate. These committees, with their broad-based and detailed knowledge of the programs under their jurisdiction, are the proper forums for considering any changes to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. We strongly caution against a process that would bypass the regular legislative process in favor of an expedited, fast-track process that leaves room for little accountability and almost no room for input from the American people.

The Alliance for Retired Americans is committed to enacting legislation that improves the quality of life for retirees and all Americans..."

The letter was signed by Alliance President, Barbara Easterling, Secretary-Treasurer, Ruben Burks, and Executive Director, Edward F. Coyle, and dated January 13,2010