| Sept. 8, 2005--Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton told about 800 senior activists
gathered for the Alliance for Retired Americans' 2005 Legislative Conference
that although President Bush's proposals to change Social Security appear
to be at a standstill, "we have to remain vigilant." "Do not be in
any way lulled into a false sense of confidence," Clinton stated.
Clinton envisaged that if President Bush's proposals were implemented
the day would come where retirees would be told "well, we'll have to check
the stock market for you" rather than receiving guaranteed Social Security
benefits. Bush's ownership society means "you're on your own," Clinton
said. Clinton, who visited refugees from Hurricane Katrina in Houston
on Monday, noted that one concern some seniors had was how they would get
their Social Security checks. (Clinton on Tuesday called for creation
of an independent national commission, the Katrina Commission, to examine
federal response to the hurricane and said she would introduce legislation
to restore FEMA as an independent agency). |
| The Alliance for Retired Americans claims to represent three million
retired union workers and senior community activists. After speeches
from Clinton and a union leader, attendees headed to Capitol Hill for a
rally and to lobby Congressmen and Senators. (Below) Edmond Martin
of Boothwyn, PA, Ronald Dull of Youngstown, OH and an unidentified activist
respond to Clinton's speech. Later several attendees commented favorably
on Sen. Clinton. Albert Thomas, a retired AFGE member from Griffith,
IN, stated, "She's just like her husband...she's dynamic." Ed Creegan,
a retired CWA member from New York, recalled how Sen. Clinton had once
stayed at a meeting he attended for three hours, making sure to answer
every question. "I love her," he said. |
