Blog: AARP Voter Guide Statements

Statement

Statements provided for the AARP Voter Guide

Social Security Solvency: Clearly, Social Security is in desperate need of rescue. We must first ensure that Social Security tax dollars are only used to pay workers' retirement benefits. I am also in favor of creating ownership with personal Social Security savings accounts. I do not support raiding one fund to pay for something else. There is no easy answer to fixing the now "fundless" Social Security Trust Fund. It is going to take an aggressive approach in reducing spending in other programs to divert funds back into the Social Security Trust Fund for those who have already paid into the system. Then it is going to take a new approach to revamp the Social Security program, meaning looking all aspects of the program.

∙Deficit Reduction and Social Security: It is imperative that we address our nation's deficit as well as the projected shortfall of Social Security. No idea should be taken off the table based up whether or not it meets a certain criteria or not. This is a national issue that will affect every American and we need to make the hard decisions so that America will be able to get its financial house in order. I support zero based budgeting, creating efficiencies, and cutting costs in every federal department. I also support auditing congressional spending.

∙Medicare Fraud: Medicare has an estimated $60 Billion in fraud that occurs every year. We must reform the system and implement highly effect information technology, not just for billing but also for patients records to ensure that those on medicare receive the best care possible by having the most informed professionals treating them. Additionally we must find ways to reduce the complications of medical billing for physicians.

∙Physician Access for Medicare Beneficiaries: Medicare beneficiaries must have the best access to physicians, but this can only be achieved by reforming the medicare system so that the system doesn't force doctors to lose money when treating medicare patients. For the best access, the fraud that is rampart with in the system must be removed, and physicians should be allowed to actually practice medicine rather push paper.

Since the recession began, Americans have been hit with devastating job losses, shrinking retirement savings, declining home values and rising health care costs -- many older Americans nearing retirement have been disproportionately impacted. What is your plan to help older workers get back to work and to improve economic security for people of all generations?
We must focus on creating jobs not just for a particular group but for everyone. This can be accomplished by creating the environment for businesses to thrive, with pro-business legislation and by cutting corporate taxes and allowing business owners to use that extra capitol to reinvest into their businesses. The only way that we will come through this recession is to encourage the businesses of this nation to begin to grow and continue to grow. We can no longer over tax and over regulate our way out of a recession and expect to create sustainable job growth.

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