Friday Alert  5/6/05
Alliance for Retired Americans
888 16th Street, N.W. -  Washington DC, 20006 - (202) 974-8222 - www.retiredamericans.org

Legislative Moves Change Social Security Landscape
Rep. Bill Thomas (R-CA) surprised lawmakers by jumping into the legislative fray over President Bush's floundering campaign to privatize Social Security. The powerful House Ways and Means chair, who months ago referred to the President's plan for private accounts as a "dead horse," will draft a bill in June. Thomas's move seemingly contradicts Republican plans to have a bill first move through the more bi-partisan Senate Finance Committee. With mid-term elections in 2006, House leaders are reluctant to have their members vote on a bill only to have it languish in the Senate. Senate Finance Committee Chair Charles Grassley (R-IA) intends to produce a potentially partisan bill by July. Democrats remain united in their opposition to any Social Security legislation that includes private accounts because it would weaken the Trust Fund and require trillions in new borrowing. Thomas wants to broaden the scope of legislation to address issues of an aging society with Social Security as a component, according to The Washington Post.

For all the President's efforts to mobilize grassroots support for his privatization plans, public opinion continues to drop. A Gallup poll conducted last weekend revealed President Bush had sunk to new lows on Social Security with only 35% of Americans approving his proposals while 58% disapprove. On his proposed benefit cuts, 54% disapproved and 38% approved.

Bush Plan Hits Middle Class Hardest
President Bush finally confirmed that he will cut Social Security benefits for 70% of future retirees. Acknowledging private accounts do nothing to improve Social Security's solvency, his plan for "progressive price indexing" boils down to broad benefit cuts that hit America's middle class the hardest. For middle-income workers, benefit cuts would be the largest in Social Security's 70-year history, and workers making $55,000 or more would be better off if Social Security were allowed to become insolvent than if the President's plan were adopted, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. Workers who choose to divert taxes into private accounts would experience an additional cut that could wipe out what's left of their guaranteed benefit.

Social Security Truth Truck Rolls Through New England
Throughout New England this week, the Alliance's Social Security Truth Truck hauled millions of petitions signed by seniors who oppose privatization through the congressional districts of key lawmakers the Alliance believes will be instrumental in the fight to save Social Security. With stops in Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Connecticut, the Truth Truck rallied older Americans and allies to action in opposing President Bush's privatization proposals. After the event in Maine, calls into Republican Senator Olympia Snowe's office were tallying 307 in favor of privatization, 10,300 against. Read our daily blogs from the truck tour at www.retiredamericans.org/truthtruck.

Olympia Dukakis Stars in Alliance's "Saving Social Security" Video
Narrated by actress and grandmother Olympia Dukakis, "Saving Social Security" presents the cold, hard facts behind privatization and features seniors challenging claims by proponents of privatization that the program is facing a crisis and questioning the wisdom of assuming massive debt in order to finance private accounts. Watch this video and share it with your children and grandchildren, friends and neighbors. Explain why a program that hasn't missed a payment in 70 years must be protected and preserved, not destroyed by privatization.

"Saving Social Security" can be seen on the Alliance's website at www.retiredamericans.org/ssvideo. Request a free VHS copy and background materials by contacting the Alliance at 1-800-333-7212.

Find Lower-Cost Medicine with Consumer Reports Best Buy Drugs
The latest Consumer Reports Best Buy Drugs report on beta-blockers shows consumers how to save $1,000 to $ 2,000 a year by taking lower-cost medications. The free report, available at www.CRBestBuyDrugs.org, identifies seven beta-blockers as Best Buy picks-meaning they are just as effective and safe as similar drugs for heart-related conditions, but cost significantly less. The free, public education effort by Consumers Union helps patients and doctors find the most effective and affordable medicines in this era of spiraling drug costs.

Come to Washington, DC for Alliance's 2005 Legislative Conference
The Alliance for Retired Americans will host its National Legislative Conference September 7-9, 2005 in Washington, D.C. The conference will include experts on aging; informative break out sessions; plenary sessions with Members of Congress and community leaders about senior issues; and a Lobby Day on Capitol Hill. Download an application or register online at www.retiredamericans.org/legconf or call Joni Jones at 1-888-373-6497.

White House Conference On Aging Moved to December
Although it has not been announced officially yet, the date for the White House Conference on Aging will likely be changed from October to December 2005. Watch our WHCoA webpage www.retiredamericans.org/whcoa for details.

May Is Older Americans Month
Every May, Older Americans Month commemorates the unique achievements of our nation's seniors. "Celebrate Long-Term Living," this year's theme, reflects how Americans are living longer, healthier and more active lives. This longevity and vigor heralds unprecedented opportunities for senior activists. As we fight to protect retirement security for future generations, the Alliance salutes the 35 million American seniors who make a difference in their families, communities and country all year round.

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