Printable Version
January 24, 2007
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Time for a Flip-Flop, Mr. President
State of the Union Reaction Statement by George J. Kourpias, President of the Alliance for Retired Americans, a nationwide grassroots advocacy organization representing three million retired workers:
“During the 2004 Presidential race, President Bush criticized his opponent for being a flip-flopper. Based on the stubbornness that we have all witnessed this evening, a flip-flop on issues important to retirees would have been a refreshing change! As many a wise senior has learned, there is nothing shameful about having an open mind, taking in new information, and changing course based on fresh data.
“But this President seems determined not to learn. His stances on two of the issues most important to seniors, Medicare and Social Security, seem utterly inflexible. The 2006 elections brought new majorities in the House and Senate that agree on two crucial points: Medicare should use its power to negotiate lower drug prices, and private accounts are not the solution to the long-term solvency of Social Security.
“But even in the face of the historic mid-term elections, in tonight’s speech President Bush refused to show an open mind on either of these two issues, despite the clear message voters sent last November.
“Nor are health savings accounts the solution to America’s health care crisis. We heard the same message from the President in the 2006 State of the Union. Seniors were hoping that over the course of a year of learning, President Bush’s stance on at least one issue might evolve: Medicare? Social Security? A flawed health tax credit scheme, which disproportionately affects retirees and health plans with older workforces, putting retiree health coverage at risk? The President went 0-for-three tonight on these top issues.
“Stubbornness is not a trait of which to be proud, even if was once used as a successful re-election tool. We may as well start preparing ourselves now for the same themes during the 2008 State of the Union.”
Contacts: Michael
Buckley, 202/637-5190 or mbuckley@retiredamericans.org
David
Blank, 202/637-5275 or dblank@retiredamericans.org