Groups That Clashed in the Campaign Are Facing Off Again

The New York Times
"In a campaign called 'Generations Together,' [CoMPASS]…activists stage rallies, lobby local lawmakers, attend town hall meetings and otherwise drum up support for the Bush initiative.

Recently, Compass has been financing polls to help counter Democratic opposition to the president's plan from groups like AARP and the A.F.L.-C.I.O. Using data collected by a Republican pollster, Compass has argued that a majority of the members in both groups support individual retirement accounts. In a letter to AARP, Mr. Max asked the group to 'craft a policy position that better reflects the views of its membership.'"
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Generations Together Holds Conference at Mesa State College

Erin Gilliam: "Being from different political parties, I think we both feel strongly that social security reform is something that shouldn't be a partisan issue"

Gabe Gilliam:"The Social Security situation is facing a crisis whether people want to admit it or not. Every year we put off dealing with Social Security it costs our country 600 billion dollars more."
Click here to watch Western Colorado News Channel 5
Or here to watch NBC KKCO 11's coverage of the event

Trade Groups Join Bush on Social Security; Though Individual firms Are Wary, Nearly 100 Associations Answer a White House Battle Cry

Los Angeles Times
Since February 24, "nearly 100 state and national trade associations -- representing bankers and bakers, restaurateurs and road builders -- have joined Compass, the Coalition for the Modernization and Protection of America's Social Security."

"At the Business Roundtable, communications director Tita Freeman says her organization supports Bush's initiative…because 'it is the right thing to do for future generations. We are joining with any and every group that believes that this needs to be addressed now,' she said.
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Business Lobby Steps Up Efforts to Win Votes for Bush Social Security Plan

CQ Today
"The main business coalition promoting President Bush's proposal to restructure Social Security says it is intensifying its lobbying efforts, starting with a letter sent to members of Congress Friday urging them to take up an overhaul."

CoMPASS "also released a list of its member organizations - nearly 120 trade associations representing many sectors of the economy."

From The Field

Oregon

Generations Together volunteers show their support for Social Security reform at a town hall event in South Bend, Oregon

Colorado

State Representative Josh Penry and other attendees address reporters at the Generations Together Colorado press conference in Mesa County

CoMPASS Board Gains Four Key Leading Civic and Student Leaders

CoMPASS "today announced the addition of four people to its national Advisory Board. The new members are Star Parker, founder and president of CURE, the Coalition on Urban Renewal & Education; Mary Martin, chairmen of the board of directors for The Senior Coalition; and Jonathan Swanson and Patrick Wetherille, founders of Students for Saving Social Security."
Click here to read the full press release

CoMPASS Advisory Board Member Herman Cain Says Social Security Reform Essential to 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 Continues to Make the Case for Social Security Reform in Newspapers across the Nation

"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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They Said It

"The Social Security program plays an important part in providing for families, children, and older persons in time of stress, but it cannot remain static. Changes in our population, in our working habits, and in our standard of living require constant revision."

President John F. Kennedy
June 30, 1961

Did You Know?

The new Social Security Trustees Report shows a 95% probability of permanent Social Security deficits beginning as early as 2013.