Congressman West Receives Medicare Award

Press Release

Congressman Allen West (R-FL), has earned the coveted Guardian of Seniors' Rights award from the 60 Plus Association, a national non-partisan organization advocating lower taxes and an adherence to the Constitution.

Now in its 19th year, 60 Plus presents Guardian awards each Congress to Democrats and Republicans alike based on their 'pro-senior' views and legislative initiatives.

60 Plus Chairman Jim Martin said, "As seniors, we felt we should show our gratitude to dedicated lawmakers like Representative Allen West who show compassion towards the elderly by pledging to 1) always protect Medicare, 2) always protect Social Security, and 3) just as importantly, to vote against wasteful spending of our tax dollars, excessive spending that has our government now borrowing over 40 cents of every dollar it needs to pay its bills. Seniors have to balance their budgets and so should our government."

In an award ceremony in the nation's capital, Martin cited Congressman West for "his commitment to look out for America's greatest generation as well as the Congressman's promise to always work to preserve Medicare and Social Security for future retirees, our children and grandchildren.

"While both programs are running deficits, seniors are not to blame," Martin emphasized. "After all, we seniors have paid into both all our working lives. We've paid our dues but seniors know why deficits face both Medicare and Social Security. For example, Congress raids the annual surpluses from Social Security to pay for other government programs, leaving nothing but trillions of dollars of IOUs.

"Seniors know this. Many of us are well aware of the famous quote from two U. S. Senators, the late Republican, John Heinz of Pennsylvania and the recently retired Democrat, Fritz Hollings of South Carolina who called the annual raid on the Social Security Trust Fund 'embezzlement,' robbing Peter to pay Paul.

"Thankfully it's Members of Congress like Allen West who show caring concern towards our senior population, the very ones who have sacrificed all these years and who now face uncertain retirements due to the impending bankruptcy of their entitlement programs. Representative West has also pledged to work hard to halt out of control spending of hard earned tax dollars in order to right our fiscal ship before it sinks from tons of heavy debt.

"On behalf of 7.l million seniors that 60 Plus looks to for support, seniors know you're in our corner. Congressman West, you have earned our respect and our appreciation. 60 Plus thanks you."

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The 60 Plus Association is a 19-year-old nonpartisan organization working for death tax repeal, saving Social Security, affordable prescription drugs, lowering energy costs and other issues featuring a less government, less taxes approach as well as a strict adherence to the Constitution. 60 Plus calls on support from over 7 million activists. 60 Plus publishes a newsletter, SENIOR VOICE, and a Scorecard, bestowing awards on lawmakers of both parties who vote "pro-senior." 60 Plus has been called, "an increasingly influential senior citizen's group" and since 1992 "the conservative alternative to the AARP.

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