For Immediate Release
Wednesday, January 20, 1999
Statement by AFSCME President Gerald W. McEntee on President Clinton’s State of the Union Address
“We’re encouraged that President Clinton in his State of the Union address reaffirmed his commitment to using the projected budget surplus to preserve and strengthen Social Security and Medicare. This is a far better use of the budget surplus than using it to fund tax cuts for the wealthy, as some conservative Congressional leaders have proposed.
“Over the last two decades workers’ pensions have been weakened and wages for middle and low-income workers have remained stagnant. These workers have found it increasingly difficult to save toward their retirement. Meanwhile, conservative Congressional leaders and Wall Street insiders have proposed replacing portions of the Social Security system with private investment accounts. These proposals, however, place the burden of risk on the very people who can least afford them, and eliminate the guaranteed benefit provided by Social Security.
“President Clinton’s proposal to establish supplemental Universal Savings Accounts -- which would not replace Social Security, but would augment the defined benefit received by retired workers -- would not only preserve the safety net provided by Social Security, but would allow all Americans to save and invest so that they can maintain an adequate standard of living in their later years.
“The President’s plan to strengthen Medicare and expand the program to provide coverage for prescription drugs, is welcome news to millions of older Americans who rely on Medicare for their health care coverage.
“We agree with the President’s view that Social Security must be preserved and strengthened; that government should play a role in helping Americans save toward their retirement, without taking away the guaranteed benefits they receive through Social Security; and that the nation’s Medicare program, which millions of older Americans rely upon for health care coverage, must be strengthened and expanded for current and future generations of retirees.”
