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Follow on Google News | ![]() Ageism from U.S. Leadership is UnacceptableThe Gray Panthers calls on leaders to repudiate Alan Simpson’s tirade.
By: Gray Panthers The Gray Panthers was founded in 1970 in response to ageism at a time when old people were relegated to obscurity. The organization has worked over the years to combat ageism and promote justice. The country has come a long way since 1970, but Mr. Simpson evidences the pervasiveness of ageism through his derisive comments to CARA. In a gut check moment upon reading the letter, Judy Lear, age 69 and National Chair of Gray Panthers, responded, “What a horrible, rude letter!” She followed with, “This vile letter about older people and Social Security and Medicare must be challenged.” Mr. Simpson in further unseemly and degrading language said, “If you can’t understand all of this you need a pane of glass in your naval [sic] so you can see out during the day.”His suggestion that his deficit commission report is either misunderstood or unread is inaccurate. The Gray Panthers has read the report and understands its recommendations. It simply disagrees as noted by Brooke Hollister, PhD, age 30, Professor and Vice Chair of the Gray Panthers National Board, “The Gray Panthers is an intergenerational social and economic justice organization fighting for the economic security of future generations! In protest to Mr. Simpson’s tirade, the Gray Panthers has sent out a call to action to demand that President and Congress denounce the words of former Senator Simpson, never again allow him to serve in an advisory role, especially on policy related to Social Security, Medicare, and the elderly he so despises. The Gray Panthers ask the White House to repudiate all Social Security and Medicare recommendations of the Simpson Bowles Deficit Commission report because they are based in ageist attitudes, gross disrespect for older persons and unsound public policy. For more information or to take action, see Gray Panthers website: www.graypanthers.org or contact Judy Lear, National Chair, Gray Panthers at judylear@graypanthers.org or 202-737-6637, ext. 28. End
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