New American Viewpoint Poll Shows Growing Public Awareness of the Need For Action to Reform Social Security

Generations Together
"As President Bush concludes his 60-day tour to raise awareness of the need for Social Security reform, a new American Viewpoint survey shows that 69 percent of Americans believe that Social Security is in a state of crisis or has major problems.

"The poll... revealed that 18 percent believe Social Security is in a state of crisis, with 51 percent saying that the program has major problems. Another 25 percent said the program has minor problems, with only 4 percent believing that Social Security does not have any problems."
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Opposing Sides Sending Lobbyists into Battle on Capitol Hill

Congress Daily
"...Lobbyists taking part in the business blitz on Social Security this week are encouraging Senators to marshal their concerns about the retirement program into legislative action. Larry Burton, the Business Roundtable's executive director, is one of at least two dozen business lobbyists who are engaged in reaching out this week to all 100 Senators."

"'There is interest in the next step. Everybody recognizes something needs to be done,' Burton said of the Senate."

"The lobbying is being coordinated by the Alliance for Worker Retirement Security and its partner, the Coalition for the Modernization and Protection of America's Social Security. Business leaders say they have distributed materials to all 100 offices and plan to follow up this week in meetings with individual Senators or staff."
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Hill GOP Follows Bush's Lead; Lawmakers to Focus on Social Security Specifics

Roll Call
"The Coalition for the Modernization and Protection of America's Social Security will launch its 'Speak Up for Social Security Reform on Capitol Hill' effort.

"The group plans to send dozens of activists to the Senate to lobby lawmakers and distribute information, with the goal of contacting all 100 Senate offices by the end of this week.

"Like Congressional Republicans, CoMPASS will soon work to shift the Social Security debate into a new phase.

"'I think that the dialogue has shifted from broad-based awareness to the need to talk about specific solutions,' said CoMPASS spokeswoman Tita Freeman."
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From The Field

Iowa

A Generations Together supporter is interviewed after a "Fix It, Don't Nix It" town hall in Des Moines.

New Hampshire

An attendee visits the Generations Together booth at a New Hampshire Republican State Committee meeting.

CoMPASS Business, Civic, and Senior Groups Launch Lobbying Blitz of Senate Offices to Urge Action on Social Security Reform

"In a strong showing of broad-based support for Social Security reform, business, senior, and civic groups are fanning out across the U.S. Senate to urge action on Social Security reform in a lobbying blitz...

"The centerpiece of the effort is Tuesday's 'Speak Up for Social Security Reform on Capitol Hill' blitz in which dozens of representatives from CoMPASS member organizations will crisscross the Senate wearing the 'Save Social Security Now' buttons and armed with information packets on the need for reform."
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CoMPASS Advisory Board Member Herman Cain Writes That Social Security Reform Will Help Create an Ownership Society

"A new retirement security strategy is the first step in creating this ownership society. That strategy starts with replacing an outdated Social Security program left over from the Industrial Age with a new system that meets the needs of the 21st century."
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CoMPASS Advisory Board Member Leanne Abdnor's Op-Ed Shows Social Security Reform Will Help Women

"Social Security is broken and must be fixed, and women are at the greatest risk from those who say that 'just a few tweaks' will fix the problems.

"Personal retirement accounts are not the sole solution to Social Security problems, but they are essential to reform. Strengthen the existing safety net, educate workers about the program, and then give women the option to choose; we're smart enough to make the decision that is right for us."
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Did You Know?

In 1940, 222,000 people received Social Security benefits. Today, over 44 million people receive Social Security checks.

They Said It

"President Bush has lent the power of the White House to the cause of saving Social Security, as did President Carter, President Reagan, and President Clinton when they were in office. We should not waste the opportunity provided us by such leadership."

Senator Chuck Grassley, (R-IA)
Senate Finance Commitee Hearing on Social Security
April 26, 2005