The New York State Alliance for Retired Americans has been working for fairness for seniors and retirees as discussions continue on a way to resolve the "fiscal cliff."
In November, the American people made a clear choice on the issues of Social Security and Medicare. Americans decided their economic and retirement security would be best served by policies that safeguard these landmark American programs for our children and grandchildren.
Social Security and Medicare are among America's greatest success stories and are programs that must remain strong. The Cooper-LaTourette budget, supported by Rep. Chris Gibson ("It's compromise, or fiscal chaos," Dec. 17), would have workers unfairly pay the price for a budget deficit they did not cause. The Cooper-LaTourette budget would lead to benefit cuts for those approaching retirement, a retirement age raised to 69 and cuts to cost-of-living adjustments while providing tax cuts for millionaires.
Honoring Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid should not be a partisan issue. Honoring the contributions we make throughout our working years, so that we can provide for our families and ourselves, should be a nonpartisan issue.
We urge Rep. Gibson to work with other members of Congress to keep Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid free from benefit cuts, especially to pay for large tax cuts for the richest 2 percent of Americans.
We must protect the economic security of all Americans — retirees as well as those who are still working. Retirement security is a critical measure of, and is critical to, our economic and national security.
ROBERT A. CARILLO
Executive director
New York State Alliance
for Retired Americans
Latham