AARP: Don't mess with Social Security

[cal04]

Pittsburgh retiree Jack Heim is eagerly looking forward to Congress' break for Presidents' Day next month, when both of Pennsylvania's Republican senators, Arlen Specter and Rick Santorum, will be home from Washington. Heim has a blunt warning for Specter, Santorum and any other lawmaker who will listen: Hands off Social Security (news - web sites).

"We can give them our message, which is, Don't destroy the greatest program in the world," said Heim, 84. Heim, who retired years ago from his family's saw company, is one of thousands of volunteers who have been mobilized by the AARP against President Bush (news - web sites)'s Social Security reform plan, even before it is fully formed.


AARP is planning an all-out assault when lawmakers return home to their states for the Presidents' Day recess. Already, activists have contacted members of Congress more than 130,000 times since December, and the group's Web site is encouraging senior citizens to e-mail their congressional representatives and urge them to oppose Bush's plan for private retirement accounts funded by a portion of an individual's payroll taxes. Lawmakers openly acknowledge AARP's power.

"It's going to be very difficult to get Social Security without them," said Sen. John McCain (news, bio, voting record) (R-Ariz.). "They're very well-organized, and we all know they turn out to vote."

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/chitribts/20050130/ts_chicagotrib/aarpdontmesswithsocialsecurity

[mediaman007]

1. I don't think that Bush* can get the AARP on his side this time...

His Medicare scam put a bad taste in their mouths. You can fool me once...

[oasis]

2. It was the AARP president that sold them out on Medicare. He was

some kind of corporate bigshot before becoming AARP prez.

[flordehinojos]

3. he used them to be on his side on medicare--he doesn't give a hoot what

they have to say about social security -- when bush gets something in his cojones getting his way is all that is all that matters.

[0007]

4. I don't know? Just remember these are big money folks that

are in the Insurance business and indirectly buddy with the boys & brokers on wall street which in turn buddy with junior and his crime family. I don't trust AARP after the prescription drug bill.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

6. ...

[mediaman007]

8. Thanks, I needed that...LOL

You're the only one holding him accountable.

[gizmo1979]

5. Go GO GO !!!

:yourock:

[TexasLawyer]

7. I just e-mailed AARP

and thanked them for opposing Bush's changes to Social Security. Here's the link to their "contacts" page if anyone wants to do the same.

http://www.aarp.org/contactaarp/Articles/a2003-01-28-contact-issuesform.html

[autorank]

9. Thanks for the idea.

After they supported * on Prescription Drugs, I reemed them. Now, time for some positive reinforcement.

My letter:

Congratulations on opposing the stupid program for privatazation of Social Security. This allows me to rebuild some trust in AARP after you supported the Prescription Drug fiasco! We need SS and Medicare negotiating discounts on prescription drugs, now!!! Good work.

[sam sarrha]

10. Bu$h said "don't worry".. if the Wall Street investments crash.. he'll use

the SSI money from those that didn't invest in the ripoff, to back it up. what a deal.... so really it isnt "Their" money ..it is mine ??? so I dont really have the "Ownership" at all do i ?? because they own it ??

and what is the interest on the 4 Trillion to "Kick Start" the stock market..er ahh.. i mean the 'Privatized' accounts.. I'm mean er ahh the "Personal" accounts that Wall Street owns..er ahh.. i mean the accounts that you have "OWNERSHIP" of.. yea that's the ticket..

is the interest more that the account makes.. no one asked that yet ...WHY haven't they!!! so, I guess We own that too ..? :shrug:

[Ian David]

11. Don't mess with the AARP, Bush!

[dandrhesse]

12. I read on another thread a couple days ago that the GOP sent the

AARP a two page letter in response to their letter that was critical of the Social Security reform Bush is espousing. In my mind there is not much lower to sink when you start attacking the AARP. They exist solely as a watchdog for the interests of Senior Citizens. What's next with administration? Unicef?

[Ian David]

14. Actually, UNICEF is already in the crosshairs

Bush has threatened (or already has, I forget) to pull our contributions over the issue of "family planning."

[Just Me]

13. Kick their scuzzy butts, AARP!!!

We with ya' all the way!!!

Rip 'em a new one!!! :bounce:

[rodeodance]

15. looks like McCain will be on the Bush side?

....."It's going to be very difficult to get Social Security without them," said Sen. John McCain (news, bio, voting record) (R-Ariz.). "They're very well-organized, and we all know they turn out to vote."