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Conservative group says AARP promotes radical “homosexual agenda”

Thu, 16 May 2013 16:16:00 +0000

The American Family Association has accused the American Association of Retired Persons of being a fringe organization that promotes a "homosexual agenda" that does not represent older American's "values and standards."

Why? Because, in addition to coupons for Outback Steakhouse and discounts on prescription refills, the retiree organization's website has a page to provide "resources, news, and other topics of interest to older lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, their family and friends."

As Zack Ford at ThinkProgress notes, LGBT adults and seniors face unique challenges later in life, like navigating Social Security benefits, estate taxes and other issues; AARP's resource center addresses those needs.

Progressive evangelical attacks safety net

Wed, 27 Feb 2013 16:50:00 +0000

When DC’s Religion Industrial Complex sings its hosannas about evangelicals moving toward progressive social positions I always try to be hopeful, even as I turn a gimlet eye to what’s really happening beneath the headlines.

In recent years the Red Letter Christian who gets the most ink, and the most praise from Jim Wallis and other leftish evangelical confreres, has been Ron Sider, founder of Evangelicals for Social Action. I don’t know Sider personally, and most of what I have been able to read about his spiritual and ethical evolution is positive. Which is why I was kind of stunned to read his Huffington Post declaration on so-called inter-generational injustice. I thought, “Wow, this guy buys right into the deficit scold mentality without really doing his homework: another leader who should know better is taking his cues straight from the GOP playbook.”

Moms to Congress: Don’t throw families over the “fiscal cliff”!

Wed, 05 Dec 2012 19:36:00 +0000

Today, as members of Congress negotiate a budget to address the so-called fiscal cliff, families are taking a stand. Women, mothers, and their families are descending on Capitol Hill to deliver teddy bears, petition signatures and personal stories to lawmakers to send the message that moms and kids can’t “bear” more than their fair share.

Wealthy CEOs have joined together in the much-maligned "Campaign to Fix the Debt" to argue for lower taxes on the rich and cuts to the social safety net, but they are being met by a counterforce of ordinary women trying to work and raise their families. MomsRising, a grassroots organization that advocates for family-friendly policies including paid family leave and an end to wage discrimination, is taking action to tell America about how the fiscal cliff will impact them. They are gathering in Washington, DC to deliver to congressional offices stories about the financial burdens facing families across the United States, as well as thousands of signatures calling on Congress to end the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy. Members will also be making over 190 deliveries of a short book of fiscal cliff stories to the in-district offices of their local representatives in 40 states.

Taxes go up for 163 million workers next year

Sun, 21 Oct 2012 14:36:00 +0000

Come January, a temporary reduction in Social Security payroll taxes is due to expire and 163 million workers will face a considerable rise in taxes -- up to $1,000 a year for the average worker. Neither Democrats nor Republicans are pushing to extend the payroll tax holiday, which was implemented two years ago. Via the AP:

"The payroll tax holiday was intended to be temporary and there is strong bipartisan support to let that tax provision expire," said Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah, the top Republican on the Senate Finance Committee. "The continued extension of a temporary payroll tax holiday has serious long-term implications for Social Security and, frankly, it's not even clear that it has helped to boost our ailing economy."

When it comes to tax cuts, Congress' attention will focus on the January expiration of the Bush-era cuts, which are expected to take center stage in the coming lame-duck session.

Dumb tweet of the day: AARP “puppets”

Fri, 21 Sep 2012 21:36:00 +0000

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Ryan booed at the AARP

Fri, 21 Sep 2012 18:40:00 +0000

Paul Ryan's plan to repeal Obama's healthcare law did not go over very well at the AARP. "First step to a stronger Medicare is to repeal Obamacare," Ryan said, before getting hit with boos. "I had a feeling there'd be mixed reaction," he said.

It only gets worse: