Press Center: News Releases
Putting the "Facts" Back into the O'Reilly Factor
News Release
December 10, 2004
AARP welcomes the opportunity for an honest discussion of the issues. The "O'Reilly Factor" is a highly-partisan program and typically does not allow for an open dialogue to take place. Its colorful and controversial host has a history of placing various special interests over those of average Americans by slamming, insulting and silencing those who hold opposing points of view.
Mr. O'Reilly disagrees with AARP's stance on some of our public policy, especially on Social Security. Mr. O'Reilly chose to do his show on AARP the same week that we published an open letter to our members opposing private accounts that take money out of Social Security.
AARP MEMBERS ARE THE IDEOLOGY OF AARP
AARP is not a monolithic organization. With 35.5 million members from all walks of life and political points of view, AARP is as diverse as America itself.
To build consensus on AARP public policy positions, at the state and national level, we rely on input from our members. Our all volunteer Board of Directors approves our national policies, based on recommendations from our (also) volunteer National Legislative Council. Activities and policies in the states are guided by volunteer state legislative councils. We constantly inform our members of our stance on a variety of issues important to them, and they constantly tell us what they think.
Through surveys, polls and other communications vehicles including our AARP The Bulletin, AARP the Magazine, our website and special mailings, we provide members with detailed information, and they respond. We also hear from members through their letters and phone calls as well as their comments on the AARP website.
WHAT WE ACTUALLY DO STAND FOR:
AARP's Position on Social Security
Social Security should be strengthened so that present and future generations can have a guaranteed source of retirement income. While change to Social Security is needed, no major overhaul is necessary to the program that has provided millions of older Americans with a monthly check that is a critical, lifetime benefit. People would have to save an additional $250,000 while working to replace this benefit.
There is a right way and a wrong way to change Social Security. The wrong way is to take money workers pay into the system and divert it into private accounts. This could eventually lead to as much as $2 trillion in benefit cuts, new taxes or more debt. It is also wrong to saddle our children with that kind of debt.
As a nation proud of honoring its commitments, our commitments to the well-being and dignity of people as they age must be paramount. AARP will continue to fight for the invaluable safety net and peace of mind that Social Security provides.
Gun Control
AARP believes in the Constitutional right to bear arms. But to make the nation safer, we must do what we can to keep guns out of hands of children and criminals. AARP supported the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, which went into law in 1994 with bi-partisan support, but was allowed to expire this year.
AARP supports measures to eliminate firearm possession by juveniles, convicted domestic abusers and those under domestic violence restraining orders.
Equitable Tax Policy
AARP supports equitable tax policies because our members are one of the most heavily taxed groups of individuals in the U.S. Older Americans possess a good portion of the wealth in this nation and also bear the highest brunt of taxes. We believe the choice of revenue options should balance the principles of equity, economic neutrality, efficient administration, revenue potential and social objectives.
Gasoline Tax - Charges that AARP wants higher gasoline and payroll taxes are simply false. AARP urges caution and our policy states that increases in gasoline taxes have an uneven geographical impact and may disproportionately affect low-income households. A Congressional Budget Office study found low income groups paid five times their proportion of income in gasoline tax as the highest income groups.
Payroll Tax - AARP has not called for an increase in payroll taxes. In fact, we support measures to ease the burden these taxes place on lower-income workers. The Earned Income Tax Credit is an important federal effort to ease the burden of Social Security and payroll taxes on the working poor and encourages many to work. AARP wants to expand and simplify the Earned Income Tax Credit so lower and middle-income Americans can share in the tax benefits of prosperity.
OLDER WORKERS
We are proud of its Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) which is a work-training program of the AARP Foundation for low-income persons age 55 and older. It helps those in need to re-train for a changing workforce, to find self-confidence, and most importantly, to find a job.
AARP is one of the 12 national grantees of this program and has the highest success rate of job placement finding employment for 55 percent of program enrollees.
By law, the enrollees provide over 10 million hours of community service at no cost to the communities. They provide much needed help at schools, senior centers and social service agencies. AARP takes no money from this program and each year contributes over $5 million in cash and in-kind contributions.
By law, enrollees must be paid 70 percent of the grant funds in the form of wages. Participants in AARP sponsored programs receive 80 percent of the grant money because we have very low administrative costs.
AARP PUBLICATIONS
The AARP Magazine is a lifestyle magazine, not a political publication. It contains fun and informative information on health, consumer issues, culture, leisure and travel. Cover stories about celebrities like Richard Gere, Kevin Spacey, Julie Andrews and others are selected because they are cultural icons and Academy Award winning stars that are acknowledged by most for their contributions to the performing arts, not their political ideology. AARP's editors strive carefully to present balanced views on issues covered in the AARP Magazine, Bulletin, and the Spanish language Segunda Juventud.
To find conservative viewpoints in AARP publications, one doesn't have to search too hard. In the recent Nov.-Dec. issue of the AARP Magazine, Bill O'Reilly and conservative columnist Ann Coutler were interviewed on why America needs curmudgeons now more than ever. Bill O'Reilly also graced the cover of the Magazine in 2003.
Migrant Workers
Migrant workers are among the most poorly paid and ill-housed workers in the nation. They often do not qualify for Social Security or income assistance programs. AARP supports efforts to meet the needs, particularly of older and disabled workers, including making them aware of low income assistance programs for which they may be eligible.
Contrary to the charges of Mr. O'Reilly, AARP is strictly non-partisan. It does not support, endorse, or contribute to any political candidates or parties. AARP serves its members interests through information, advocacy and member services. Headquartered in Washington, DC, AARP has offices in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. For more information on AARP, please visit www.aarp.org.