Few Americans have been immune to the effects of the ongoing economic recession — particularly here in Maine. Families have felt the pinch and small businesses, the backbone of our economy, have struggled to thrive. Retirees and those living on fixed incomes have been forced to try to make ends meet with real estate and investment nest eggs that have lost as much as half their value since 2007.
With cautious optimism we are looking forward to better days ahead, rebuilding our savings and getting Maine’s workforce back up to full strength. Yet until Washington rolls up its sleeves and confront the challenges ahead for Social Security and Medicare, we are far from out of the woods. Working to ensure these two vital programs remain solvent in the future is not just critical for the Mainers whose health and welfare depend on them today, but also for current and future workers who are paying into these systems with a reasonable expectation of future returns. Furthermore, in the absence of a long-term solution, the inevitable shortfalls that we will see in Social Security and Medicare would trigger an economic crisis that would make our Great Recession look like a walk in the park.
As we all know, Mainers are strong people. Our senior citizens, who thrive here winter after winter, are uniquely resilient. But that doesn’t mean they can do it without the support of these programs that they worked to fund. Social Security is the only source of income for one-third of Maine’s senior citizens and the average check is just about $1,064.00 a month. Medicare is even more critical, covering most health care costs for 95 percent of this population. Without Social Security and Medicare, Maine’s seniors, and some of our most vulnerable residents, would be literally left out in the cold.
It is crucial that we all take responsibility to ensure that Social Security and Medicare remain financially viable — we all benefit when the older generation retains their health and independence. We want these programs to be there for us when we retire so we can remain healthy and financially independent, and so that the younger generation can focus on getting their own financial house in order. There are many options on the table to address these programs and each have their pros and cons. But in order to pass comprehensive reform, we all need to engage in the necessary discourse and work together with our elected officials toward a viable solution.
As you might imagine, AARP is keenly interested in hearing what their members, and all Americans, have to say about the future of Social Security and Medicare. Lori Parham is the state director for AARP in Maine, and I recently had the opportunity to sit down with her and discuss the way forward. Lori and her team are working hard to engage Mainers of all ages to have their say about the future of Medicare and Social Security. Whether you are actively contributing to these programs with your own payroll taxes, or you have already done your part and are now reaping the benefits, we all deserve to have our voices heard as we work together to focus on a bright future for Maine and America.
You can share your views at earnedasay.org or by calling 1-888-OUR-AARP. The more people from Maine speak up, the better.
Nelson Durgin is a long time AARP member involved with several organizations serving elderly persons. He also is a Bangor City Councilor.
AARP is a voice for the Obama administration. That’s why they are losing members left and right. Wise up, AARP, you are on the wrong side of the issues that are near and dear to we senior citizens.
You don’t know what you’re talking about.
Now that’s an intelligent reply.
Thanks hall monitor!
AARP, by law, must remain non partisan. When AARP agreed with President Bush about Medicare PartD everyone thought they were the voice for Republicans. They care about the issue, not the politician. Also, their membership is actually gaining members due to the explosion of baby boomers. You should ease up on the talk radio. Like they say, too much of anything can be bad for someone.
AARP is only interested in selling us their products.
AARP doesnt even sell products. They just endorse products that are good for members. Their medicare coverage is sold by United Health Care….Their auto insurance is sold by The Hartford.
AARP gets its cut from the insurance companies.
I suppose you’d be happier if they were funded through the state or federal level (ie. taxpayers?) to do their advocacy work and social programs? Yes, they recieve a fee from the companies for using their logo, but nobody is forced to by the product from the companies. Quite the opposite from most non-profits. Most recieve funding through our tax dollars and we have no choice.
Republicans claim that Social Security is failing us!
Social Security has now been around for 77 years and never bounced a Benefit Check!
I say the Republican Party is Failing us!
Rom & Rye will do their best to dissect and destroy Medicare and Social Security. Since stepping into the quicksands of elderly discontent with their ridiculous assertions, they have turned slightly, embracing phony schemes aimed at pacifying us oldsters.
Rye’s voucher which would replace Medicare, sounds like one of those gift certificates you get as a refund. Despite several passes through the magnetic stripe reader at the grocery store, you end up paying cash.
Rom’s war on “Obama Care” is like jabbing yourself in the eye. It will be the first thing to go, he says of the revised health system, which Obama modeled after Rom’s Massachusetts health plan, when he was governor.
Already American women are benefiting from the newly established services okayed under the new health plan.
Meanwhile, Rom & Rye continue to belt away at seniors’ major lifeline – Social Security, whilst kicking Medicare in the shins.
What is more important the ideological corn of these two money-crazed and power thirsting individuals, or, the welfare of our elderly?
Think about it. Old age faces everyone – even Rom and Rye. But they don’t have to worry. Both are multi-millionaires. Rye already has a guaranteed pension, and full government medical coverage, as he eakes out a living on $174,000 a year.
Romney makes more just speaking before garden clubs in the Hamptons, than he would as president. But even then, he too, would have more than $400,000 a year, full government medical coverage, along with a beautiful pension on retirement.
How can these two selfish people understand the needs of the American people?
Let’s see. I take away from your comments that rich people are “bad”. And make that only Republican rich people. Wealthy people, (like many in government, including Obama and Biden), must be “good”. And, what on earth would be “in it” for Romney and Ryan to, as you say, “dissect and destroy Medicare and Social Security”? Republicans rely on this, too.
Support for your comment is……………..?
R&R do not rely on Medicare and Social Security. Never will. Both are millionaires many times over. Besides, they are fully insured by the government with the best medical care in the world. Their pensions and continued government medical care follows both into retirement. As for Biden and Obama – they too are fully insured and enjoy full benefits of government medical care, along with great salaries.
My contention is simply that they have absolutely no care for the poor and working people. I think I spelled that out.
I did n ot classify rich people as bad. There are some – like Romney and Ryan who are mean.