Time for Seniors to Take Action

July 10, 2002 - The Associated Press has filed a story today by David Espo that declares, “The pace is quickening in the Senate on senior citizens' issues, from a new entry in the Medicare prescription drug sweepstakes to fresh election-year emphasis on access to lower-cost generic medicine.” How many times has the AP and other leading news sources filed a similar story over the last three years? To see this story Click Here.

News reports and analysis with similar encouraging news has been an almost weekly occurrence since the last presidential election. Yet, nothing really happens. It is just talk and promises by the politicians that are well aware of the voting power of seniors and, apparently, like to keep this political football on the field.

Not only are seniors the most powerful voting block in the United States, these so-called senior issues are rated as important by a majority of all voters. Among all issues, Social Security ranked third in importance and prescription drug assistance was sixth. To see the latest Gallup Poll on this topic, Click Here.

Not long ago, I looked over some voting statistics on an election in one city that revealed that about 85% of those who voted were 55 or older. The senior citizen dominance at the polls is not always that high but it is critical in almost every election.

Why then, don’t the politicians break their necks to take action on issues important to this dominant political force?

A major problem is the strong ties between Republicans - particularly President Bush and the leadership of the House - with their big contributors in the private sector. Every solution they offer has strong ties to corporate America, like program privatization and Social Security investment in the stock market.

These proposals, which carry substantial risk and usually higher cots for seniors, are just not going to fly with the voters or the Democrats in the Senate.

It's time for the Republicans to stop playing footsie with the investment houses, big insurance and the drug companies. It's time for action - now!

It is also time for senior citizens to start screaming louder. Contact your federal representatives today. If you are not sure who they are, or how to contact them, click here to our Political Page. At the top right you will see a handy form for getting this information. All you need to know is your zip code. Do it now!