Message to FLARA members and supporters:

As the nation gets ready for the State of the Union address, retirees are urging the President and Congress to not cut Social Security. Social Security does not add one cent to the federal budget deficit. As the President and Congress consider ways to lower the deficit, they should not cut benefits or raise the retirement age. Senator Harry Reid got it exactly right when he recently said that we should not try to balance the budget on the backs of seniors. Reid rightly said, “One of the things that always troubles me is when we start talking about the debt, the first thing people do is run to Social Security. Social Security is a program that works. … It's fully funded for the next forty years. Stop picking on Social Security.”

Other issues of great concern to Florida retirees will be discussed in his national statement on the evening of Tuesday, January 25^th.

***FLARA will hold a conference call during the State of the Union and, perhaps more importantly, directly after the State of the Union address so that you – FLARA members – can discuss your reactions to the President’s speech and proposals. President Fransetta asks that as you call in to the number listed below, immediately place your phone on mute. If you are watching the President’s comments with a large group, please try to use a speakerphone during the discussion portion of the call.

As your President, I am excited that technology offers us new opportunities to interact with each other and engage our membership at every level. I hope you will join us on the conference call next Tuesday, January 25^th, beginning at 9:00 pm. After the State of the Union address, we will also be inviting members of the press across Florida to call in and ask questions and listen to responses from Florida retirees.

The toll free number to call is as follows ~ Call-in #: 888-363-4735; when prompted enter Access Code: 2343607

If you have questions about the watch parties OR the conference call, please contact Jenny at 321-277-9385 or call the FLARA office at 561-792-8799.

You can watch the speech on your television or stream it online at any number of news sites including http://www.c-span.org/.