Andrews Talks Finances to Seniors

On Tuesday I visited members of various AARP chapters in the first congressional district at the Deptford Elks Lodge.
I had the opportunity to speak with 70 seniors on issues ranging from social security to Medicare, but primarily focused on our current state of the economy.  At the event I signed the “Divided We Fail” pledge, a bipartisan agreement to work together on domestic issues that threaten the long-term financial health of the United States.  Below is a recent Gloucester County news article highlighting the event.

Gloucester County Times

Andrews Talks Finances to Seniors

Wednesday, January 23, 2008
By Pete McCarthy
pmccarthy@sjnewsco.com

DEPTFORD TWP. The message from U.S. Rep. Robert Andrews to a group of mostly senior citizens on Tuesday was one that shows continued economic trouble.

He spoke to the group of AARP members at the Deptford Elks Lodge as he
offered his plans for 2008.

"I'm certainly thinking of the residents on fixed incomes who live in their kitchen and living room because they can't afford to heat the entire house
and eat cereal twice a day," Andrews said. "We have to get more money in the people's pockets so they can start to spend again."

Andrews, D-1st Dist., of Haddon Heights, said he was glad to hear of
President Bush's recent plan to offer a one-time tax rebate to the nation's workers.

The congressman said he thought those who make less money should get the first break.

Businesses should also be helped so they can make equipment purchases and then claim it on their tax returns, he said.

Andrews admitted everything he was suggesting may not happen because it will take compromise from both major political parties in Washington, but he felt confident there will be progress.

Those in attendance applauded when Andrews began speaking about the Social Security crisis.

"We have a long-term problem in this country where we don't have enough
money to pay for Social Security and Medicare," Andrews said. "These ideas of privatization of Social Security should be taken off the table
permanently."

The country must stop borrowing money from Social Security, he said.

"We can't borrow our way to prosperity," Andrews said.

Otto Gollen, a Wenonah resident and Navy veteran, said he has worked with Andrews for years. He said he wants to make sure the federal government continues to help veterans, specifically females and those currently serving.

Gollen said his other concern was the amount of money being spent on the war in Iraq a battle he predicted will continue for the next decade.

Gollen and others agreed "more money should be spent on our country."

"I worry about our economy," said the 74-year-old Gollen. "Our grandchildren
unfortunately will be paying off the debt of the Iraq war."

Abbie Kidd of Paulsboro said she, too, is worried about future generations.

What's going to happen to her 16-year-old granddaughter, Kidd wondered.

"It's rough," Kidd said. "You want them to get a college education, but what do they have to look forward to when they get out? With everything going on, we have to realize this is still our country. We must take care of ourselves."

As part of Andrews' appearance, he signed the AARP's "Divided We Fail"
pledge, which looks to raise awareness about the need to make health care and lifetime financial security the most pressing domestic issues in the country.

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