AARP Idaho Leaders Hit Capitol Hill, Urge Members of Congress to Protect Social Security & Medicare Benefits From Cuts

AARP Launches Next Wave of Efforts to Protect Programs, New National Television Ad, Grassroots Activities, & National Lobby Day Tell Lawmakers "Seniors are not Pushovers."

BOISE, Idaho, July 13, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, carrying the voices of hundreds of thousands of concerned Idahoans with them, AARP Idaho state leaders are hitting Capitol Hill to urge the state's Congressional delegation to take Social Security and Medicare off the table as part of any deal to pay the nation's bills.  On the heels of the launch of AARP's latest wave of efforts to protect the programs, AARP Idaho State Director, Jim Wordelman and AARP Idaho State President, Peggy Munson, will meet with Idaho's members of Congress and urge them to protect Social Security and Medicare benefits from cuts being debated as part of deficit reduction.    

"Our message is simple: don't cut the Social Security and Medicare benefits seniors have earned," said Jim Wordelman, State Director for AARP in Idaho.  "Seniors are not pushovers and now is not the time to play politics with their hard earned benefits."

AARP leaders from every state are holding similar meetings in Washington, D.C. today.  In addition to the national lobby day, AARP is airing a new direct-message television ad, urging Congress and the President to make responsible decisions during the deficit reduction debate by cutting waste and closing loopholes instead of cutting critical Medicare and Social Security benefits that millions of Americans have earned through a lifetime of hard work.

The new, multi-million dollar advertisement is AARP's third focusing specifically on the deficit debate, and begins airing today nationally and in local markets.  AARP is working to keep the pressure on Congress and the President by engaging its millions of members to make their voices heard through direct mail, phone calls, email alerts, publications, and tele-townhall meetings.

The ad can be viewed here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SSttXqIuxc

AARP will air the television spot beginning July 13.  The television ad script follows here:

"I'm a grandfather.  A retired teacher.  And I count on Social Security.

"Here's what I'm not…

"A pushover.

"Right now, some in Washington want to make a deal cutting the Social Security and Medicare benefits we worked for.

"With billions in waste and loopholes, how could they look at us?

"Maybe we seem like an easy target…

"Until you realize…

"…there are 50 million of us.

"Tell the politicians to cut waste and loopholes, not our benefits."

To date, nearly 4.5 million petitions have been signed and will be delivered to Congress, and over 500,000 calls and emails have gone into congressional offices and to the White House over the past several weeks urging elected leaders to protect Medicare and Social Security benefits from cuts as part of a deal to raise the debt ceiling.

About AARP
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization with a membership that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the world's largest-circulation magazine with nearly 35 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP's millions of members and Americans 50+; AARP VIVA, the only bilingual U.S. publication dedicated exclusively to the 50+ Hispanic community; and our website, AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

AARP is Idaho's largest membership organization with over 180,000 members.

Follow us on Twitter @AARPIdaho and Facebook: AARP Idaho

SOURCE AARP Idaho

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