John McCain is Trying to Have it Both Ways

When it comes to Social Security and his plan to fund it, John McCain is trying to have it both ways. Earlier in July, Sen. John McCain called the way that Social Security is funded a "disgrace." Last Sunday in an interview with George Stephanopoulos, John McCain said that all options were on the table. When pressed if that meant that he would consider raising the Social Security taxes he said "Yes." Later that day, his communications director was interviewed and he said that raising taxes is not being considered and never will be. In a town hall forum earlier this week he was asked by two children if he planned to raise taxes and he said plainly in a one word answer "No." He laughed knowing why the question was asked and the answer his handlers required him to give.

Look, either you are willing to do what it takes to save Social Security and all options are on the table or you are seeking to privatize the program. For a brief moment last Sunday, McCain showed that party bucking, maverick side, of himself. But his handlers reigned that in, gave him his talking point medicine, and he was back on the trail acting like a good little politician. He says he is not for privatization then advocates for private accounts. He says all options are on the table except raising taxes. We need a strait answer from Mr. McCain and we need it now!

We need this issue to stay in the news and in the face of voters. August 14th is the birthday of Social Security. Be ready for a rally on that date to keep this issue alive.

Medicare is Anouther Year Old

On July 30th Medicare turned another year older and this time its a little stronger than it would be thanks to congress this month. Medicare is still in trouble and by many accounts, the program will start running in the red within 10 years. More must be done to keep this program safe and healthy so that our nations seniors may be safe and healthy.

Sen Smith on Aging

On August 14th Sen Gordon Smith will be holding a conference on aging in Salem. Information here.

http://gsmith.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=WebsiteItems.Aging

It is a free event but seating is limited. So call and RSVP your self a seat. If you cant get in don't worry because we will also have a rally outside of the event. This is also the birth date of Social Security and we will mark the date at this event.

If you get into the event or want to come to the rally please let me know.

End of a big week

On Tuesday, I gave a presentation to seniors at the McMinnville Senior Center. Those that I spoke with were excited about the information and asked me to return in the future.

On Thursday we held our membership meeting and I asked our membership to start think seriously about future outreach and activities of the ORARA. Is the something that you would like to see us doing or an event you would like to see us put on? Let us know and we will develop a long term plan for activities and getting the funding to accomplish those goals.

We are also looking for volunteers to work our booth at the Labor Day Picnic. I will be there but I will be organizing and cant work the booth the entire time. Come for as long as you like and help spread the word and message of the ARA with a friendly crowd. Contact Ken Hennrich
if you are interested.

After the membership meeting we held a rally in front of the Social Security office in Portland. We had a handful of activist, enthusiastically showing their support for the long term health and protection of Social Security and or opposition to the comments made by Sen John McCain. The Department of Homeland Security got wind of our rally because it was being held in front of a Federal Building. They were actually really great and were their to make sure things went smoothly and did not bother or harass us.

It was actually a little funny. I was the first person there and they started rolling around the block in their white suburbans. It was a little unnerving. One of them approached me but he was really nice and was interested in what we were doing. I cant help but wonder if my phone and or emails are being monitored since the rally. HAHA.

Although I feel the rally was a success I feel that I learned a lot and that we can do much better in the future. So........... Save the date for August 14th. I will be planning a Social Security birthday rally. I am checking around and seeing if someone else already has something for the date planned so we can team up for the event.

I hope you all have a great weekend.

Big Day Tomorrow

We have our monthly membership meeting from 10-noon at the Westmoreland Union Mannor. You get out what you put in and the meetings are the best way to put in.

As long as you are up and around come to our Social Security Rally at the Social Security office in Portland 1538 SW Yanhill St from 3-5pm. We want Portland to know that Social Security is not a "disgrace" and privatization is not the cure for any ills it has. Feel free to make a homemade signs. I will have signs and shirts there for you to wear and wave.

Ill see you there.

Social Security is not a "Disgrace"

Let show the public how much we care about social security. We will rally on Thursday July 24th at the Social Security office in Portland 1538 SW YAMHILL ST, from 3 - 5pm. The purpose is to bring attention to Sen McCain's comments on social security and to his plan to privatize social security.

Please pass the word around to your friends family and groups. Feel free to make a home made sign and wear your Alliance T shirt. If you need a shirt or a ride, let me know because I can get more and I will be organizing car pools.

Feel free to contact me agonzoman00@gmail.com or by phone (310) 528-7973.

VICTORY!

I know its a little late but I have been busy.

This week the President suffered his first Veto over ride over the issue of protecting Medicare and senior health care. The president once again sided with the insurance companies and the congress stepped up and voted to protect Medicare and Medicare recipients.

Pat yourselves on the back for all the phone calls and hard work you did in making this happen.