ABOLISHING MEDICARE

Four prominent senators called a press conference to announce their plans for Medicare reform or more precisely abolishing Medicare. They called for dismantling Medicare as we know it in favor of a private plan that would raise the eligibility age from 65 to 70 and shift much of the cost of health-care coverage from the government to the elderly. This will eventually affect every one of us. It may well affect our earned medical health plan as well.

“This will be the new Medicare,” Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), the proposal’s author, announced.

April is Volunteer Appreciation Month.

The heart of a volunteer is not measured in size, but by the depth of the commitment to make a difference in the lives of others. -- DeAnn Hollis

Chain COLA

Chain COLA is a new system to measure and set inflation-triggered cost of living adjustments for retirees.

Currently those January COLA adjustments are tied to the consumer price index (CPI). Although retirees have not had a COLA in two years, critics say the CPI system overestimates inflation. They argue that using a different yardstick would take into account spending adjustments people make in hard times (like now) and produce a truer estimate of costs. Bottom line, going to the chained COLA would reduce, by some estimates, future inflation-adjustments by half a percentage point, or more. Net effect would be smaller raises in future for federal, military retirees and people who get Social Security benefits. Reducing Social Security increases even a small amount each year would rack up billions of dollars in future savings. Estimated saving over 20 years is $100 billion.

NARFE 2247 NEWS #32

PRES. Joseph A. Beaudoin, NARFE National HQ

Saturday, May7,2011

The Senate is about to vote on a disastrous budget proposal that would slash federal pay and retirement by $375 billion over 10 years. We need to speak out now.

A few weeks ago, the House of Representatives passed a budget proposal that would cut 10 percent of the federal work force, reduce pay, and jeopardize benefits for those who have already retired. It’s an unfair attack that singles out the federal workers who protect our nation every day.

I just sent a letter to all senators telling them to vote “No” on the House budget proposal. Will you add your name to mine and send a letter today?

Visit our newly updated www.ProtectAmericasHeartbeat.org website and send your letter now.

America’s federal employees perform important jobs that demand skill and dedication – and they’ve been doing more with less. Twenty years ago, in 1989, there was one federal employee for every 110 residents in the United States. Today, there’s one for every 147 residents.

Please send your letter now by going to:

www.ProtectAmericasHeartbeat.org

809 Area Code Scam

Be cautious when responding to e-mails or phone calls from the 809, 284 or 876 area codes.

Long distance phone scam causes consumers to inadvertently incur high charges on their phone bills. Consumers usually receive a message telling them to call a phone number with an 809, 284 or 876 area code in order to collect a prize, find out information about a sick relative, etc. The caller assumes the number is a typical three-digit U.S. area code; however, the caller is actually connected to a phone number outside the United States, often in Canada or the Caribbean, and charged international call rates. Unfortunately, consumers don't find out that they have been charged higher international call rates until they receive their bill.

AT&T offers the following information and tips:

· Return calls to familiar numbers only. As a general rule, return calls from numbers that contain familiar or recognizable area codes. You may call your directory assistance or long distance operator to check the area code location.

· Carefully read your telephone bill. Make sure that you only receive charges from your provider of choice. Ensure you thoroughly understand charges listed on your phone bill, have chosen to do business with all of the listed providers billing for those charges and have authorized additional fees invoiced. If your local service provider has changed, you will receive a final bill from the former provider and a notice of service disconnection.

If you believe that you have been scammed:

· Contact the carrier with whom the charge originated, whose name and toll-free telephone number should be printed on the same bill page as the charge in question. Often, the problem can be resolved with a single phone call.

· If the carrier with whom the charge originated does not agree to resolve the problem, contact AT&T. AT&T will work with you and the carrier to help remove fraudulent charges from the phone bill.

You may file a complaint online with the Federal Communications Commission about this and/or related phone scams.

SHUTTLE LAUNCH

Space Shuttle Launch as seen from the Palm Valley Bridge

Thought you would all enjoy!

Robin Sullivan

It was taken in Palm Valley, Florida(where I grew up) from the top of the 210 bridge crossing the Intracoastal Waterwaylooking south towards St. Augustine and Cape Canaveral
.
The photographer got up very early and took this picture of the last nighttime space shuttle launch and was kind enough to share with anyone who would appreciate the beauty of the space launch. He took the picture using a tripod and the elapsed time for the picture was several minutes in order to get the full fire-trail (this is why the stars are little lines instead of dots).



Monday, February 8, 2010 @ 4:14 am

Top of the Intracoastal Waterway Bridge in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL

115 Miles from the launch

34 Degrees outside!

REMEMBER DEC. 7th.

Congressional fast-track procedure

Due to the current fiscal crisis, the statutory limit on the public debt must be raised this month in order for the Treasury to raise cash to pay the government’s bills. Some Senators are withholding their support for the House passed debt limit increase until the Senate leadership agrees to include a proposal to create a commission that would force changes to entitlement and other program spending and tax policy through the use of a Congressional fast-track procedure. NARFE is concerned that such a commission could single out the earned federal civil service retirement and health benefits for reductions.

I am concerned that such a commission could single out my earned federal civil service retirement and health benefits for reductions. While I am troubled about the mounting budget deficit and debt, federal civilian retirement has not contributed, and will not contribute, to the government's debt and deficit crisis. For more than two decades the Civil Service Retirement Trust Fund has been fully funded and actuarially sound. Federal retirement is not part of the problem, but I fear it could become part of the solution.

I devoted my working life to federal public service and earned the economic and health security that will allow me to live an independent and dignified life in retirement. Would a fast-track commission truly weigh the important public policies which underlie the system which were put in place to attract and retain competent employees to serve our nation's needs? I think not. That is why I feel it would be a grave error for Congress to relinquish its fiscal policymaking responsibilities to a budget cutting commission and fast-track procedure which could reduce the retirement and health benefits which were promised to me as compensation for my service to our nation.

This form of blackmail by a few ill informed Senators is a threat to your security. I will send you a personal e-mail that will allow you to contact our two Senators. Watch for the e-mail and act.

Preventing Swine Flue with Snopes

Roger Patterson took the trouble to check the news article on Preventing Swine Flue with Snopes. I’m satisfied that the advice given is useful and not harmful in any way.

However, here is the source, if you would like to read all the details.

http://www.snopes.com/medical/swineflu/prevent.asp

I thank Roger both for his efforts and his reply. It proves the system is working.

I also thank all the other people that responded with comments and advice.

Bob Wehrli

U.S. Census process supplied by John Lowe

** If a U.S. Census worker knocks on your door, they will have a badge, a handheld device, a Census Bureau> canvas bag, and a confidentiality notice. Ask to see their identification and their badge before answering their questions. However, you should NEVER invite anyone you do not know into your home.
** Census workers are currently only knocking on doors to verify address information. The number and ages of people living at your address.Do not give your Social Security number, credit card or banking information to anyone, even if they claim they need it for the U.S. Census. While the Census Bureau might ask for basic financial information, such as a salary range, the Census Bureau will not ask for Social Security, bank account, or credit card numbers nor will employees solicit donations.