AARP Online Forum Fiasco!

The AARP likely intended their WashingtonPost.com viewpoint discussion to be a casual, image building event. Instead, they received a deluge of hard questions about personal accounts and the AARP’s obstinate opposition. John Rother, the AARP’s Director of Policy and Strategy, was forced to defend his position countless times as discussion participants probed him relentlessly for the hard facts on Social Security.

A number of questions were offered by interns at conservative organizations. An intern at the US Chamber of Commerce points out the AARP’s support for investing the trust fund in the stock market. He then asks for an explanation, “Why would the government investing Social Security trust fund money in indexed stock market funds be better than individuals being able to choose, even from a small selection, how to invest a portion of their payroll taxes?”

Students for Saving Social Security co-founder, Patrick Wetherille, asked why young people should be forced to remain in a system that will only pay a fraction of what is promised. He follows by pointing out how Personal Accounts are a common sense approach, asking, “Wouldn’t it make more sense to allow [younger workers] to protect and save a small portion of their earnings in accounts so that they will get a better rate of return?”

Finally, Adam Nicholson from FreedomWorks pointed out that AARP members (55+) will not be affected by Bush’s proposal for Social Security reform, and inquired “why do you not want to allow non-AARP members the option? Why are you fighting against what is best for your members grandchildren?”

FreedomWorks will continue to lead the fight for Social Security reform with Personal Retirement Accounts.