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Senior Citizen Opinions & Analysis
Obama Does Not Mention Social Security or Medicare
in Inaugural; Seniors Should Speak Out
He does ask for public input; New Public Liaison &
Intergovernmental Affairs, daily blog seem to be best online places to
respond
By Tucker Sutherland, editor & publisher
 Jan. 21, 2009 It was somewhat
surprising that
President Obama did not mention Social Security or Medicare in his
inaugural address yesterday. Hopefully, this is no indication that he is
retreating from comments just days ago indicating he would begin almost
immediately to work on improving their financial viability. A window did
open, as his staff moved into the White House yesterday afternoon,
asking for suggestions from the public and senior citizens need to act
now to let their voices be heard.
In a recent speech, the new president said,
Im
calling on all Americans Democrats and Republicans to put good ideas
ahead of the old ideological battles; a sense of common purpose above
the same narrow partisanship; and insist that the first question each of
us asks isnt Whats good for me? but Whats good for the country my
children will inherit?
His staff began immediately yesterday to facilitate this
contribution of good ideas. A new blog asks for feedback and the new
Public Liaison & Intergovernmental Affairs (OPL-IGA) invites all
Americans to participate. Senior citizens, with critical issues on the
public agenda, need to jump on this opportunity to let their voices be
heard.
The OPL-IGA appears to be the place to go to
provide suggestions to President Obama and his staff.
OPL-IGA takes the Administration out of Washington
and into communities across America, stimulating honest dialogue and
ensuring that America's citizens and their elected officials have a
government that works effectively for them and with them, states the
White House Website.
|
Obama Targeting Social Security, Medicare to Constrain Government
Spending
Jan.
8, 2009 The cross hairs of President-elect Barack Obamas aim on
containing federal spending is clearly on overhauling Social Security
and Medicare, according to a report by the New York Times.
This is the first time Obama has made it clear he
would wade into the thorny politics of entitlement programs, according
to the Times.
Speaking at a news conference in Washington, he
provided no details of his approach to rein in Social Security and
Medicare, which are projected to consume a growing share of government
spending as the baby boom generation ages into retirement over the next
two decades. But he said he would have more to say about the issue when
he unveiled a budget next month.
>>
More at New York Times |
OPL-IGA will bring new voices to the table, build
relationships with constituents and seeks to embody the essence of the
President's movement for change through the meaningful engagement of
citizens and their elected officials by the federal government.
Follow this link
OPL-IGA to the home page, which also has a contact form to use for
contributing your ideas.
The new blog says, We'd also like to hear from you
-- what sort of things would you find valuable from WhiteHouse.gov? If
you have an idea, use
this form to let us know.
Like the transition website and the campaign's
before that, this online community will continue to be a work in
progress as we develop new features and content for you. So thanks in
advance for your patience and for your feedback.
Recent comments by President Obama (see sidebar)
indicate Social Security and Medicare are high on his agenda for
immediate action, as a part of the effort to stabilize the U.S. economy.
Meetings may begin as early as this week.
These programs, as every senior citizen knows, are
critical for older Americans and in danger of running out of funding.
Senior citizens need to let the President know how important it is that
the long-term viability of these programs be assured. Additionally, the
benefits for current retirees should not be diminished.
Senior citizens should act today to be among the
first to grab the attention of the new administration.
>> White House Blog:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/
>> Blog Contact Form:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/
>> Office of Public Liaison:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/opl/
>> The White House:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/
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