July 31st, 2007

In the August 6 issue of Newsweek, Robert Samuelson takes the presidential candidates to task for not addressing Social Security reform.  He writes, "If you haven't noticed, the major presidential candidates–Republican and Democratic–are dodging one of the thorniest problems they'd face if elected: the huge budget costs of aging baby boomers."

Samuelson's idea is to put together in one big book reform proposals from six different D.C.-based think tanks.  "If published in April, the book might prod the presidential candidates to address the future," he theorizes.

It is tough to believe that the candidates are avoiding talk of reform because they don't understand the options on the table, yet Samuelson's general idea here is correct -- we need to apply pressure to the candidates in order to get them to come forward with a specific approach.   

We have been too tolerant of politicians who do not address the problems in Social Security, and we cannot allow candidates for our nation's highest office to avoid going on record in support of a specific plan.

To learn more about where each candidate stands, visit our voter guide here.

July 30th, 2007

On Friday S4 packed a room in Rayburn House Office Building with nearly a hundred eager young activists representing organizations from all over the D.C. area. The students enjoyed lunch on S4 and admired our new presidential candidates website.

They also got to hear from our three fabulous speakers: Congressman Marsha Blackburn from Tennessee (above), Allison Kasic from the Independent Women's Forum, and Jim Martin from 60 Plus. Everyone left the event more committed than ever to the fight for personal retirement accounts! Thanks to everyone, especially our speakers, who helped make this a big success.

July 28th, 2007

Unfortunately the question posed in our Ostrich video was not presented to the candidates on the CNN/YouTube Democratic debates. (But it was shown in the beginning videos that were labeled as “too flashy” because it had costumes…)

The candidates did get a few questions on the issue, and here is what they had to say:

Senator Chris Dodd recognized that Social Security is an issue that will surface by the year 2040, and he said that privatization “is a very bad idea.” He would like to consider raising the salary cap.

Senator Barack Obama said he wanted to make sure that we don’t privatize the system and that “Social Security is that floor in which none of us can sink below.”

Lastly, Governor Bill Richardson said: “Stop raiding the Social Security trust fund! Stop talking about privatization!”

We are glad that this important issues was discussed in the debates. Be sure to submit a film at www.youtube.com/debates for the Republican Debates September 17^th!

July 27th, 2007

Secure Our Future Announces 2008 Presidential Candidates Web Site
Senator Dodd admits: “Certainly, we have no ideas”

Washington, D.C. — Secure Our Future, a new organization dedicated to protecting the retirement security of younger generations, announces in a Capitol Hill press conference at noon today the launch of a Web site featuring original video interviews with 2008 presidential candidates.

The site includes a transcript from the July 23 Democratic YouTube/CNN debate in which Senator Dodd admitted in response to a question about Social Security reform, “Certainly, we have no ideas.” (See http://www.secureourfuture.org/election08dodd.php.)

U.S. Reps. Marsha Blackburn and Adam Putnam will address nearly 100 young activists at the Rayburn House Office Building lunch event, which is co-sponsored by the Independent Women’s Forum, Leadership Institute and 60 Plus.

The 2008 presidential candidates Web site features original video interviews and research conducted by Students for Saving Social Security, a project of Secure Our Future. In addition to making clear the position of each candidate on Social Security reform, the site includes information about upcoming events, ways to get involved on campus and voter registration. To visit the site, go to http://www.secureourfuture.org/election08.

“Young people are looking for presidential candidates who will protect our retirement security,” says Jo Jensen, the executive director of Secure Our Future. “We deserve a clear plan for Social Security reform from every candidate, including Senator Dodd.”

Secure Our Future is a new 501(c)(4) organization dedicated to issues affecting the retirement security of young people. Students for Saving Social Security, a project of Secure Our Future, is the largest group dedicated to informing and mobilizing young Americans on the issue of Social Security reform. Students for Saving Social Security is a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) organization with 8,000 members and chapters in all 50 states.

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July 25th, 2007

The Union Leader has an article today by former U.S. House Majority Leader Dick Armey saying that "If primary voters demand action on entitlements, politicians will respond." 

Armey sites a survey conducted by McLaughlin and Associates, saying that "the McLaughlin survey makes it clear that voters want entitlement reform to be a major part of the national conversation during the 2008 presidential campaign."

Most importantly, Armey explains that "voters are not afraid of change, with seven in 10 approving of  'changing our current retirement system so that their payroll taxes are placed in a secure account that they own and control.'"

Armey's piece also acknowledges the work that Students for Saving Social Security did in New Hampshire talking with Giuliani, McCain and Romney about personal retirement accounts.

July 23rd, 2007

Yesterday, S4 asked AARP CEO Bill Novelli about his new book. It went great!!! We had about 7 students in t-shirts that said "my grandparents got Social Security and all I got was this t-shirt." We had posters, handouts and of course the ostrich costume! Novelli was like "where's the ostrich" and of course we got the whole thing on film.  The venue threatened to arrest us for loitering but we prevailed. Below are some great pictures from the event.

We also will be editing our film footage of the event to make a short utube type video that will be ready hopefully in a week- we are all headed to New Hampshire tomorrow for the CNN debates- be sure to check back for our tracking of our NH adventure!

July 20th, 2007

S4's video is one of Time.com's 10 strangest presidential debate questions.  The S4 video, one of over a thousand on YouTube, features interns Megan Ritter, Karen Lee, and Liz Morgan in ostrich costumes outside of the White House. (Yes, we got lots of strange looks from tourists and several friendly visits from security.)

They ask: "Candidates, what's your plan to fix Social Security and Secure Our Future?"  Click here to watch the video.

July 19th, 2007

Well we're in the beginning stages of painted-Social-Security-Suburban FUN...

This is ONLY the beginning...stay tuned for more pics and details regarding S4's cross-country trek...we'll be bringing awareness to the issue of reform from the West Coast to the East Coast...starting off in Oregon and finishing in New Hampshire. 

We're hoping to get all the Presidential candidates talking about how they will address the problems facing Social Security if elected President.  The Ostrich Mobile (aka giant red Suburban!) will hopefully be such an attention-getting vehicle that people across the country will see it and agree that all the Presidential candidates need to start talking about our retirement security!!

S4 Executive Director Jo Jensen will be speaking about Social Security on Monday, July 23 at Bullfeathers of Capitol Hill.  The weekly happy hour, sponsored by the Republican Youth Majority, starts at 6:30 p.m.

Come get a burger with fries for $4 and hear more about how you can help reform Social Security!