Your AARP ;
You could win up to $15,000
for your favorite charity in
the Win & Do Good Contest
and Sweepstakes, spon-
sored by AARP. You might
even win a little prize for
yourself. ; To compete,
write an inspiring story of
250 words or less, telling
how you serve your com-
munity. Submit your essay
by Sept. 30 at createthe
good.org/sweepstakes.
Seven regional finalists will
win $5,000 each for their
chosen nonprofits, and one
of those finalists will win
a $10,000 grand prize for
the charitable organiza-
tion. ; In addition, play the
Volunteer Match Game now
through Nov. 18 for a chance
to win daily $50 prizes. Each
prize consists of two Ameri-
can Express $25 gift cards,
one each for you and the
charity of your choice. ; For
sweepstakes details, turn
to page 38.
Write a Story and
Help a Charity
; CONTEST
; WASHINGTON WATCH
Message to
Congress:
Don’t Take Us
For Granted
With all the squabbling over the debt
ceiling and the federal budget deficit this summer, one thing is certain:
Older Americans are putting Congress on notice that they are not to be
taken for granted by either party on
budget issues such as Social Security
and Medicare. ; AARP’s “I Am Not
a Pushover” campaign was directed
at Congress during the debt ceiling
debate, but it also served to reinvigorate the image of seniors as tough-minded on the issues they care about. The basic theme was to push lawmakers away from making cuts to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid
as they look for ways to reduce the rising tide of red ink. ; Older adults
are already facing hard choices because of higher drug and gas prices, increased utility rates and difficulties finding part-time jobs. But they are not
ready to face these struggles quietly, thus the campaign, which stated: “I’m
a grandfather. A retired teacher. And I count on Social Security. Here’s
what I’m not—a pushover.” ; To emphasize the point, AARP handed
4. 5 million signatures to Congress urging legislators to protect Medicare
and Social Security from cuts as part of a deal to raise the debt ceiling.
; David Certner, AARP’s legislative policy director,
gave AARP members credit for making their voices heard. “Going forward, we believe seniors and
future retirees have earned a voice in any discussions about the future of these vital programs, and
we’re fighting to make sure their voices continue
to be heard,” he said. ; Expect the budget battles
to continue into the fall and winter and, eventually,
into the 2012 election.
Taking
to the
streets
Many older
Americans
recently
voiced their
discontent
as Social
Security and
Medicare
became
possible
targets for
deep cuts.
Top, Miami,
bottom
left, Oakland, Calif.,
bottom
right:
Baltimore.
DISCOUNTS
; Roadside Help
Members who enroll
in AARP® Roadside
Assistance from
Allstate can save up
to $10 on first-year
rates, starting as low
as $36. The discount
applies only to first-year fees, and other
conditions apply.
See details at aarp
roadside.com or call
1-800-616-9319.
; Travel
AARP members get
a $100-per-person
discount—plus a free
gift—from Grand
European Tours with
purchase of first-class
motor coach tours and
river cruises in select
countries. Call 1-866-
847-3858 toll-free or go
to getours.com/aarp.
