Our understanding was that it was supposed to have been Democrats who liked to “scare old people about Social Security”. At least according to Rush, Sean, Fox and Friends.
Turns out it’s the Rightwingnuts who have actually turned the practice into both an art form, and a cash cow. The shadowy rightwing group, National Center for Public Policy Research (NCPPR) has been quietly sending scare letters to the nation’s elderly for years in which they ask recipients to keep the letter a secret, while they terrify them about their Social Security benefits.
And, again, — surprise! — House Majority Leader Tom Delay seems to be one of the biggest beneficiaries thereof! Delay is reported today, in a RAW STORY Exclusive, to have received some $130,000 from the NCPPR who has been paying for “posh” Delay vacations!
From RAW STORY’s investigative report:
“Inside your sealed envelope is information regarding the potential collapse of the Social Security system – and how it can endanger you and the entire United States senior citizen population,” NCPPR president Amy Ridenour writes in one such letter obtained by RAW STORY (Read the letter here). “It is also critical that you share this pertinent information ONLY [sic] with other trustworthy individuals.”
“Should we put most of our time and effort into fighting to prevent liberal big-spenders from draining an estimated $100 billion from the trust fund?” Ridenour asks. “Or should I go head to head against the left-wing’s reckless use of $70 billion tax surplus when they promised to put our Social Security first?”
“The liberal monster is primed to rip your Social Security to shreds,” reads another hyperbolic letter reported on by the San Francisco Examiner in 1998.
The group uses at least four different letterheads to solicit money; all of the money is funneled into the same organization.
And just when you thought these guys had scraped the bottom of the “Moral Values” barrel. Think again.
I wonder if any deaths of senior citizens can be attributed to this scam?
I know that some older folk are so feeble that emotional upsets of this kind can be devistating and cause their demise.
I remember many dying in LA when the energy prices skyrocketed as a result of Enron tactics.
The enron neocons are on recordings saying "take that granny" and "burn baby burn".
These low life’s bring new meaning to "sickos".
We need a "SIXTY MINUTES" story on this one! We need to e-mail any and all television investigative news shows. If Dan Rather needs a hobby in his retirement, may be he should devote some time investigating these devils in desguise.
The word to bushmob and and those who embolden and enable them:
"Keep your bloody greedy hands off of Social Security!"
If the Social Security fund should need help it should not come from this pResident and not this Congress and not at this time. Period.
Social Security is not just provide funds for those who spend every penny of their earnings for necessities during their working years and are at the retirement age and no longer employable.
It is also a safety net for all of society to ensure that their elders have funds to continue to survive without having to stand on the street corners holding their cardboard signs:
"Homeless. Need help".
Does this stuff constitute mail fraud?
We are doing it in installments because it is so complicated and crafty. My next piece is up now if you want to go read it:)
Yo Larisa! I’m sure I can speak for all of us: WE LOVE YOU A TON!!!
Larisa –
I second Czaragorn!
And I third Peg.
Awww, thanks guys. Means a lot. Back to bed I go.