Edward F. Coyle, Executive Director of the Alliance for Retired Americans, made the following statement today at a press conference organized by Americans United for Change on the 73rd anniversary of Social Security.
Retirees have mixed feelings on today’s anniversary. Social Security is one of our nation’s greatest success stories – it has kept millions out of poverty and has allowed older Americans to retire with dignity. But at the same time, Senator McCain and his allies continue to slander Social Security and promote dangerous privatization schemes. Senator McCain has voted for privatization on several occasions.
Older voters are one of the largest, most reliable – and swing – blocs of voters in this year’s elections. The Alliance will devote the next 82 days to educate retirees on issues such as Social Security.
Today, grassroots activists with the Alliance for Retired Americans are organizing 25 Social Security events, ranging from delivering birthday cakes and cards to Social Security offices in places such as New Mexico and North Carolina, to shadowing Senator McCain during his visits to Pennsylvania and Colorado.
We are reminding retirees that just five weeks ago Senator McCain said it is “a disgrace” that young workers who pay taxes support current beneficiaries. I suspect that most of the 42 million Americans receive Social Security – our nation’s elderly, our widows and widowers, and our young children who have seen a parent die – do not see it as a “disgrace.”
We call upon Senator McCain to clarify to all Social Security beneficiaries just why he believes this is “a disgrace.” The Alliance recently ran issue ads on TV in Pennsylvania, calling attention to Senator McCain’s comments. We plan future ad buys in key media markets.
Senator McCain receives nearly $24,000 per year in Social Security. He receives these benefits because, like other older Americans, he contributed into this system over the years. We hope that he would support strengthening – not weakening – the program so that both current and future retirees can continue to count on their Social Security.
But, Senator McCain, if you believe that Social Security is “a disgrace,” then why don’t you mark RETURN TO SENDER on your check?
We are reminding retirees that Senator McCain continues to support President Bush’s plan to privatize Social Security. This would create Social Security accounts tied to the roller coaster of Wall Street. With all the turbulence in the stock market, and the rising prices of gas, groceries and health care, this is a gamble few retirees can afford to take.
Privatization would hit the next wave of retirees as well – those currently in their mid-to-late 50s – particularly hard, as the massive amount of borrowing needed to create these private accounts would drain the Social Security Trust Fund and reduce benefits just as they approach retirement.
Retirees care about their children and grandchildren. We want them to enjoy an active, healthy, and financially secure retirement when their working days are done. The best way to celebrate Social Security’s 73rd birthday is to fight to ensure that Social Security remains strong and successful for generations to come.
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The Alliance for Retired Americans is a national organization that advocates for the rights and well being of over 3.5 million retirees and their families.
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