United States Navy Memorial

2019 SOAR Executive Board

Left to right, by row:

1. Director, Julie Stein; President, Bill Pienta; V.P., Doug MacPherson, V.P. (West), Al Becco
2. Sec/Treas, Denise Edwards; Emeritus Connie Entrekin; Emeritus Harry Hynd; Emeritus Dan McNeil; Emeritus Charlie Averill  
3. Emeritus Bill Gibbons; D 1 Jeff DeLong; D 2 Jay McMurran; D 3 Dennis Carrigan;  D 4 Al Polk
4. D 5 Lawrence McBrearty; D 6 Lena Sutton; D 7 Scott Marshall;  D 8 Daniel Stevens; D 9 Claude Karr;
5. D 10 Dave McLimans; D 11 Bonnie Carey;  D 12 Joel Buchanan; D 13 Andy Rosas

Let's Quit Voting for Cats

The Last Pullman Car

China's at It Again

Well, China Is at It Again

Well, China is at it again. After eliminating the Australian passenger rail and rolling stock industries since its admittance to the World Trade Organization in 2001, China has successfully shut down transportation manufacturing in the domestic market Down Under. 

And guess who it is that China has its sights on next? 

While China-owned and subsidized public transportation companies rolled through the island continent severely underbidding Australia’s domestic manufacturing, it wasn’t long before the Aussies could no longer possibly compete with China’s mercantilist attitude.

A statement before the House and Senate hashes out their differences in a close-ranging Pentagon Policy.  The two chambers will soon meet in a conference committee to work out their differences in the policy bill. The White House supports a Senate provision that would bar all federal transit.

The Senate version of the fiscal 2020 defense authorization bill would bar federal dollars from being used to purchase either passenger railcars or buses from such firms. The House version of the bill would limit the prohibition only to railcars.

“It is critical that such prohibitions cover procurement of all rolling stock transit vehicles to ensure the nation’s economic and national security and to prevent the use of Federal dollars to support foreign state-controlled enterprises,” said a statement from the Office of Management and Budget.

Both provisions aim to counter China’s increasing presence in the U.S. passenger railcar and electric bus market to prevent possible spying and surveillance of America. 

Jeff Bonior is a staff writer at the Alliance for American Manufacturing

Lower Drug Costs Now Act (H.R. 3)

House Introduces Comprehensive Legislation to Lower Drug Prices

by Robert Roach, Jr.

Recently, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Democratic leaders released legislation to lower prescription drug costs. The bill, called the “Lower Drug Costs Now Act” (H.R. 3), requires the federal government to negotiate lower prices and administer stiff tax penalties on pharmaceutical corporations that refuse to negotiate.

The plan authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to negotiate on behalf of the American people. Each year the secretary can negotiate for up to 250 of the most expensive drugs available through Medicare, including insulin. The prices agreed upon would be available for all insurers -- not just Medicare.

The plan caps out of pocket prescription drug costs for Medicare beneficiaries at $2,000 and limits price increases to the rate of inflation for Medicare Parts B and Part D. Currently, there is no cap.

Americans now pay the highest prices for prescription drugs in the world, and this bill will bring U.S. prices more in line with those in other industrialized countries. The House and Senate need to pass this bill and rein in the predatory practices of pharmaceutical corporations. 

Allowing Medicare to negotiate prices and capping out of pocket costs will finally provide relief to retirees and others who struggle to afford their medicine.

H.R. 3 will be a giant leap forward if passed by Congress. However, powerful pharmaceutical corporations are fighting it tooth and nail. Lawmakers need to know that their constituents want it passed quickly.

Robert Roach, Jr. is president of the Alliance for Retired Americans.  He was previously General Secretary‐Treasurer of the IAMAW.  For more information, visit www.retiredamericans.org.

Social Security – What’s Open and Honest Behind Closed Doors?

Social Security – What’s Open and Honest Behind Closed Doors?

In a September 2019 town hall meeting in Emmet County, Iowa, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst complained, openly, that groups like SOAR are making her job more difficult than she would like.  

Regarding the future of Social Security, Senator Ernst said, “We do need to sit down behind closed doors, so we’re not being scrutinized by this group or the other, and just have an open and honest conversation...”  “The minute you say we need to address Social Security, the media is hammering you, the opposing party is hammering you — there goes granny over a cliff.” Senator Ernst continued, “We know that there is a point in time when we as Congress will have to address the situation, and I think it’s better done sooner rather than later, to make sure that we shored up that system.”

When you hear the words, “shore(d) up that system,” and “behind closed doors” – do you get the sense that Senator Ernst wants to expand the benefits of Social Security to more Americans? Do you think Senator Ernst wants to figure out a way for future generations of Americans to be able to retire with dignity?

Or, are you getting flashbacks to contract negotiations from your working years when management wanted to have closed-door talks so they could raid our pension or increase workers’ healthcare contributions? Do you get the sense, like me, that Senator Ernst believes Social Security is an entitlement and not something Americans have earned (even though we certainly have)?  

There is a reason Social Security is arguably the most popular legislative achievement in our history.  

For many Americans, particularly widowed women, Social Security is the last thing between living with some dignity and absolute poverty.  Social Security is a financial investment made by American workers held in trust to assure that retirees, the elderly, people with disabilities, or the children and families of deceased workers will not be abandoned by the richest nation on earth.  

If Senator Ernst gets her way, Americans will be having tough conversations with their spouses around empty kitchen tables for years to come. Not because Americans will be living longer lives, but let’s be  open and honest here, they won’t be living the lives they anticipated if Social Security is destroyed.

Julie Stein, SOAR Director

Know the Facts...Don't be Fooled About Social Security Cuts

Don’t Be Fooled...

This being the last opportunity before the November election that I can write to you, I thought it might be valuable to give you something to ponder. Retirees should not be deceived by a recent budget proposal that proponents falsely claim will be to our benefit. After years of fighting against the efforts of politicians who want to undermine Social Security, we’ve learned not to be fooled by coded language such as, “cutting waste” or “getting the Government out of your life.” We know such political speak is merely a ruse with the goal of privatizing or eliminating Social Security and Medicare!

All that glitters isn’t gold, and as more people enter retirement age, the Republican budget proposes to reduce funding for administrating area Social Security offices. When Social Security offices close, retirees will have more trouble accessing Social Security and other vital services. As a result, we will not be served as well and will start to believe their baloney that seniors
could be better served by the private sector. However, that simply is not true because Social Security administrative costs are one percent or less of budget costs. Try to name another company that offers what Social Security does at that minimal overhead.

To implement these budget cuts, five Social Security administrative offices in Pennsylvania would be closed along with 15 more offices in other states. Where will these retirees go when they need information on their Benefits, especially in Pennsylvania? Presumably, Republicans hope that retirees will rely on the internet for benefits information. But due to lack of knowledge and monthly income, it is hard for most seniors to navigate online, or to afford internet service.

SOAR members need to know the facts on this issue! This can only happen if we choose to remain silent or not get involved. We cannot sit back as an organization, and we will not allow our retirement security to be threatened without a fight.

Please keep up on the issues and inform our members; after that, the decision is theirs, but at the least, we can feel good about what we have done. Remember to vote on Election Day and get involved.

Bill Pienta, SOAR President