Seniors Taking Anger over Medicare, Social Security to Capitol Hill

[Omaha Steve]

http://blog.aflcio.org/2006/09/03/seniors-taking-anger-over-medicare-social-security-to-capitol-hill/

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Seniors Taking Anger over Medicare, Social Security to Capitol Hill

America’s seniors voted in greater numbers than any other segment of the population in 2004. With midterm elections more than two months away, seniors are angry—and they intend to put members of Congress on notice that they plan to clean house and elect a senior-friendly Congress.

According to the Alliance for Retired Americans’ most recent congressional voting record, 170 House members and 40 senators had a “0” score on seniors’ issues, meaning they voted against the best interests of the nation’s seniors every chance they could.

And America’s seniors have vowed they won’t forget those representatives and senators in November. Edward Coyle, executive director of the more than 3 million-member Alliance, puts it this way:

This past year we saw Congress once again enact legislation that worsened the nation’s budget and fiscal crisis at the expense of retirees and older Americans. In the face of the largest deficits in the nation’s history, Congress deepened the crisis and favored only the wealthiest Americans with tax cuts. In addition, even before the Medicare Part D prescription drug program went into effect, its many flaws were exposed and Congress did nothing.

With both President Bush and senior Republicans in the U.S. House pledging to put Social Security “reform” high on their 2007 agenda, it is more important than ever for workers and retirees to have a member of Congress who will fight for them.

Nearly 600 Alliance members will deliver that message to their representatives in person Sept. 7 during a massive lobby day on Capitol Hill. The lobby day is one of the highlights of the Alliance’s convention in Washington, D.C., Sept. 5–8.

Key issues on the agenda include getting rid of the Medicare donut hole and strengthening Social Security. When they visit their representatives next week, the seniors will deliver donuts to them to symbolize the donut hole, the gap in coverage in the Bush Medicare prescription drug plan that forces seniors to pay $3,000 out of their pockets for drugs they need to live.

The Alliance is collecting stories from members across the country about their experiences with the Part D donut hole. If you have fallen into the donut hole, or soon will, please share your story by sending an e-mail to [e-mail]. Please include contact information.

FULL story at link above.

[Deja Q]

1. Well, if they helped Republicans win, they should STFU and lump it.

For that is clearly what they want.

Dunno what the Dems can do when/if they take the majority, but they will be held accountable.

[Skink]

3. Seniors are the largest voting block and they helped these guys in.

[Rainscents]

2. I was shocked by, how many senior's voted for Republican.

I still can't get around my head, how, AAR betrayed Senior's, when AAR should had been screaming out to publican what was really was going on behind the curtain... They are getting fucking screwed by REPUBLICANS!

[flyingfysh]

4. you mean AARP instead of AAR, I assume?

AARP was complicit in ruining medicare. That is why I called them and told them never to mail me anything again.

[napi21]

6. Yes the AARP was complicit in supporting Par D, but believe me

they now know they were wrong! I received my renewal in the mail2 weeks ago, and I sent them a note saying I wasn't renewing our subscription because THEY betrayed US with their support of Part D. They will never see another cent from us, and I know I'm not the only one!

[HockeyMom]

7. My subscription has been going in

the circular file for seven years.

[Demeter]

5. The Elderly Voted for the GOP In Spite of the AARP Screwover

so what will it take for the lesson to be learned?

[napi21]

8. I think a lot less of them will vote Pub again.

I think they had faith in Shrub, and they gave him a chance, but aftermany of them are finding themselves trapped in the donut hole, I think they're changing their mind.