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Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson and Texas Alliance for Retired Americans President Vic Pauly addressed retirees at the CWA 6215 union hall in East Dallas on the afternoon of November 2. CWA Retired Members Club 6260 hosted the meeting, and President Larry Laznovsky presided.
Speakers addressed the crisis facing America's seniors. Congresswoman Johnson lamented the attacks against Social Security, especially because it is "one of the very best government programs ever enacted," and is "most reliable for working people. It is meant to be there for everybody who needs it." Strains on the system have been noted lately because, fortunately, more people are retiring and they are living much longer. The Congresswoman said that there is no immediate crisis and, even if there were, privatizing Social Security is not the answer. One simple solution she posed would be to raise the "cap" on Social Security payments. Presently, wealthy people pay only on the first $90,000 of annual earnings. She asked for grass-roots support for a proposal to require wealthy people to contribute on at least the first $100,000 of their annual earnings.
Another big problem facing retirees is the prescription drug law known as Medicare Part (D). She said that over 450,000 seniors and disabled workers in Texas are at risk of falling into the "doughnut hole," when they continue to pay insurance premiums for their medicines but receive no benefit! She also finds it distressing that the government is prohibited by the legislation from negotiating drug prices. Drug companies, who lobbied for the law, set their own prices.
The third big problem facing all American retirees is loss of pensions. Congresswoman Johnson blasted the Bush Administration for allowing companies to cut their pension plans. Some of them, she pointed out, are even cutting benefits for the people who have already retired. Seniors with strong unions are better protected, the Congresswoman said.
Last year in North Texas, Congresswoman Johnson asked for and received strong grass-roots support in her fight to save Social Security when the Bush Administration tried to privatize it. She asked that Texas seniors continue to be vigilant and to draw together to protect their rights.
Congresswoman Johnson makes a point in discussion with Vic Pauly
President Vic Pauly of the Texas Alliance for Retired Americans (TARA) underscored the need to build a movement of retirees to protect their own interests. He said that retirees must "Organize, Educate, and Participate" to defend their rights. He urged all seniors and related organizations to join TARA.
CWA Retiree President Larry Laznovsky, whose organization has already affiliated
with TARA, said that he looked forward to successful collaboration in future
battles for retirees' rights.
--Gene Lantz, Communications Director