Julyl 2003 Newsletter

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July 2005 Newsletter

EILEEN RYAN GOES TO WASHINGTON

	I traveled to D.C. in June to personally meet with Congressmen Steve Chabot, Howard McKeon and Jim McCrery. This is the critical time to meet with these Representatives since Congress is working on a comprehensive Social Security bill. While there Rep Chabot gave me a copy of HR 219; a bill introduced by Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) and cosponsored by Rep. Chabot. The bill is “ensure the integrity of the Social Security trust funds by requiring the Managing Trustee to invest the annual surplus of such trust funds in marketable interesting bearing obligations of the United States….and to protect such trust funds from the public debt limit”. I have reported several times in our newsletters the billions that Congress spends from the Social Security surplus and they are now in a panic trying to decide how to save Social Security from insolvency.
	After several attempts I had the pleasure of meeting Rep. Howard “Buck” McKeon (R-CA). Most representatives only see their constituents. Rep. McKeon graciously granted a few minutes of his time. I explained that our grassroots’ organization has been promoting his repeal bill since its introduction in July 2001. I thank him for his perseverance in reintroducing the repeal bill, H R 147. He was comfortable to talk with and friendly.
	My attempts to speak with Rep. Jim McCrery (R-LA) were not as successful. He had scheduled meetings and my time was limited. However, I did speak with his Legislative Assistant, Jenny Nowlin. I explained the purpose and goal of our group and I hoped the congressman would work towards H R 147 being allowed to come to the floor of the House for a vote. The one thing she made very definite “the squeaky wheel gets the attention”.

I spoke very briefly with Sen. Voinovich as he was leaving his office.
I explained I was with the Offset/Windfall organization and hoped he would reconsider his position on the repeal bill.
I gave a letter asking for their support and our newsletter to each Representative.
I also included some of the emotional letters you have written explaining the hardship the GPO/WEP has caused.

NOW IS THE TIME to be THAT “SQUEAKY WHEEL”

We now have the opportunity to join thousand of retirees throughout the country by writing to our own Representative and Senators relating the hardship the GPO and the WEP has imposed on our lives.

On June 7^th Charles Fallis, president of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees alerted nearly 50 thousand members to contact their Representatives and Senators urging that the GPO/WEP be repealed or reformed. He said “This opportunity exists because the House and Senate committees with jurisdiction are drafting measures to overhaul Social Security.” Toll free number is 1-866-220-0044.

National Education Association has mounted a campaign asking their members to contact their legislator in Congress realizing a comprehensive bill may be introduced to overhaul Social Security. Let us do our part, PLEASE WRITE AND CALL Washington. Thank you!

While sitting in Sen. Voinovich’s office I observed two young workers answering the phone. We learned all calls are recorded and listed by each specific issue. At the end of the day the number of calls on each topic is tallied and eventually the Senator is made aware of the top concerns of his constituents.

Congressional COLA vs. Our COLA

OHIO SENATORS WELL-FIXED FINALCIALLY Cincinnati Enquirer 6-5-05

HOUSE VOTES TO ACCEPT ITS PAY RAISE This is a cost of living raise of $3,100 starting next year and raising their salaries to $165, 200. Cincinnati Enquirer 6-29-05

I have no problem of having my taxes pay the members of Congress a raise but I can not understand how in good conscience they can refuse me the cost of living I earned. On July 1, 2005 I received my COLA of $3.87 after seven years of retirement. On July 5^th I spent a good hour sitting in the Social Security office to report my yearly cost of living of $3.87. The worker did the math and I will have $2.60 subtracted from my well earned Social Security. THAT IS THE EFFECT OF THE GOVERNMENT PENSION OFFSET. OH, How I Wish I Had Run For Congress.

YES, WE HAVE A WINNER

For those of you who do not live in or around Cincinnati, Republican JEAN SCHMIDT won the primary in her bid to replace Rob Portman in the House. On August 2^nd, she will face the Democratic candidate Paul Hackett. Jean was a teacher and falls under the GPO or the WEP. She has promised to cosponsor the repeal bill and work towards its passage. Let’s give her our vote and an opportunity to prove herself. Jean Schmidt’s address: P.O. Box 867 Milford, OH 45150; Ph: (513) 575-0840.

Because of the importance of contacting Representatives, I am sending a newsletter to everyone who has made a donation and those who have not. If you want to receive future newsletters please make a contribution to help with the expenses. Thank You.

If every member of the House represents approximately 600,000 American voters how can the Chairman and members of the Ways and Means committee ignore the 266 cosponsors of the McKeon repeal bill H R 147? Ask your Representative to do the math and give you an answer

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