Campaign Literature—1988 General Election


                           National Council of Senior Citizens PAC

Brochure - 4" x 8 1/2".


Where was George Bush on May 9, 1985?

He was on the floor of the U.S. Senate, voting to cut Social Security benefits!

 
The Anti-Senior Record of George Bush
 
It was May 9, 1985. The Senate vote was dead­locked at 49 to 49. Then George Bush, in his role as presiding officer of the Senate, cast the tie­-breaking vote to wipe-out the Social Security 1986 Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA)*.

Bush thus became the first Vice-President in history to vote to cut Social Security benefits.

Fortunately for millions of senior citizens, the House of Representatives refused to go along with Bush's COLA cut. But if Bush had his way, another 500,000 elderly would have fallen below the poverty line and millions more would have lost vital protection against inflation.

Social Security beneficiaries have always been a low priority for George Bush:

  • As a Member of Congress in 1970, Bush missed a critical vote to create the annual COLA, which today ensures that Social Security bene­fits keep pace with inflation. Later, Bush failed to appear for another important vote to increase benefits by five percent.
  • As Vice-President in 1981, Bush supported an Administration budget calling for $200 billion in Social Security cuts over eight years. These in­cluded a 43 percent cut in early retirement bene­fits and permanent benefit reductions of over 21 percent for all new retirees.
  • In 1985, Bush backed a plan to close more than 700 Social Security offices around the coun­try, which provide vital services and assistance to millions of Americans.
  • In every year since 1981, Bush has supported Administration efforts to dismantle Medicare by turning it over to private companies and by stead­ily increasing the elderly's share of Medicare costs. By 1986, average out-of-pocket costs had gone up 132 percent under Part A and 81 percent under Part B.
 * Senate Resolution 32-First Budget Resolution, FY 1986: Dole (R­-Kan.) amendment, serving as a substitute budget resolution, which eliminated the 1986 Social Security COLA and cut Medicare/Medicaid funding by $17.5 billion. [Among the 49 Senators supporting the cut was Dan Quayle (R) of Indiana.]


"I support the Social Security system, including full benefits and full Cost-of-­Living increases. As President, I will work to ensure its continued solvency and integrity."
—Michael Dukakis

Mike Dukakis and Seniors: A Record of Leadership and Commitment
 
Mike Dukakis, through his record as Governor of Massachusetts and his platform for the nation, has proved his commitment to older Americans.

Thanks to Mike Dukakis, Massachusetts pro­vides the most comprehensive health care sys­tem in the United States:

* In 1985, the Dukakis Administration spear­-headed landmark legislation requiring all Massa­chusetts physicians to accept Medicare rates as full payment for health care services. The Duka­kis "Medicare Mandatory Assignment" law means doctors can no longer overcharge their elderly patients.

* This year, the Massachusetts Legislature enacted another historic health care program, proposed and championed by Mike Dukakis. The new law provides for "universal access" to basic health care benefits and makes Massachusetts the only state in the nation guaranteeing health insurance to every man, woman and child.

* Also under Mike Dukakis, Massachusetts leads the country in home care services. The state's extensive network of services for the homebound elderly and their families is a model for America.

Mike Dukakis's positions are clear on issues that affect senior citizens. As President, he would
* accept NO cuts in Social Security
* champion a new law guaranteeing health care coverage for all Americans
* protect private pensions
* enforce laws against age discrimination
* promote a comprehensive solution to the long-term care crisis, including adoption of Congressman Claude Pepper's bill (HR 3436) for long-term care at home under Medicare.

 
Mike Dukakis: A President Seniors Can Count On
 
Just think about the crucial decisions our next President must make. About Social Security. About Medicare. About long-term care. Then think about George Bush's efforts to cut benefits and Mike Dukakis's proven commitment to the seniors who depend on them.


For the Seniors of Today and Tomorrow
VOTE DUKAKIS
on November 8

SENIOR POWER 88
FOR THE SENIORS OF TODAY AND TOMORROW

Paid for by the National Council of Senior Citizens Political Action Committee and not authorized by any candidate.