"The issue of tax dollars being used for early childhood education (ECE) programs is one that has drawn considerable attention in recent years.  Much of that focus has centered on the short- and long-term impacts of ECE on classroom scores, grade advancement and graduation," Haddow wrote.  "For Taxpayers, parents, and grandparents, measuring child progress is critical to knowing if Americans are getting their money’s worth from these programs,"

Investigations and early action by Colorado and Wyoming have demonstrated serious flaws and weaknesses in the Pearson ECE programs that merit a serious review by every state using these programs to determine if they are effective and whether taxpayers are getting a good value for their money.  Based on these investigations, the serious question arises as to whether taxpayer dollars may be wasted in the five states that we know are using the same products that have been questioned in Colorado and Wyoming.

There is no evidence that AGE is aware of that the Pearson ECE programs are any different in the five states using these products than those Colorado and Wyoming have determined to have serious flaws.  Based on that information, it is very likely each of those states would be experiencing the same problems using these programs.

AGE strongly advocates for accountability of taxpayer dollars, and perhaps there is no expenditure that is more critical than when it comes to dollars used to educate America’s toddlers.

To download a copy of the AGE letter on this issue, copy and paste this link into your browser:

http://dc367.4shared.com/download/Ahjn1FsY/AGE_Letter_on_ECE_Aug_11_2011.pdf

“High energy prices sap the lifeblood from businesses job creation strategies, and rob American families of real income that is needed to provide the basic necessities of life,” stated Dave Herman, Vice-President of AGE and the Chairman of the “Energy = Jobs” initiative.

The calculation is relatively simple: Higher levels of energy prices (1) create a drag on economic growth, potentially pulling the economy into a recession; (2) dramatically reduce the growth in industry output and job creation in the economy; and (3) induce consumers to drive less, makes consumers more sensitive to price increases and reduces purchasing, all of which creates a perfect storm for economic malaise in America.

The American people strongly support the expansion of domestic energy production that has been blocked by the Obama Administration.

A Gallup survey found that “[s]ix in 10 Americans favor increasing offshore drilling for oil and gas in U.S. coastal areas…”

According to The Hill , “By a 66-25 percent margin, likely voters say President Obama should encourage more oil and gas exploration offshore…”

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has estimated that delays in implementation or outright cancellations of energy projects by the Obama Administration is costing nearly 2 million American jobs each year. The Obama Administration is using the EPA to impose a “cap and trade” national energy tax that the House Energy & Commerce Committee says could increase the price of a gallon of gas by nearly $1 (if not more over the already increasing prices from unrest in the middle east). This is the same plan President Obama once admitted would make utility prices “ necessarily skyrocket .”

]]> http://www.ageadvocacy.org/age-announces-energyjobs-program/feed/ http://www.ageadvocacy.org/audio-link-to-media-conference-on-price-war-comes-to-cell-phones-for-seniors/ http://www.ageadvocacy.org/audio-link-to-media-conference-on-price-war-comes-to-cell-phones-for-seniors/#comments Tue, 21 Dec 2010 21:01:47 +0000 mhaddow http://www.ageadvocacy.org/?p=67 The following is the link to the audio file for the media conference held at 1 p.m. EST on the Price War Comes to Cell Phones For Seniors:

http://www.hastingsgroupmedia.com/AGE/122110PrepaidSeniorSafetyevent.mp3

WASHINGTON, D.C.//December 21, 2010///Thanks to a major price war that has broken out among wireless companies, older Americans can now purchase a “senior friendly” prepaid cell phone for less than $15 and get service for as little as $7 a month, according to an analysis conducted by the Senior Advocate Health & Safety Project of the independent and nonprofit Alliance for Generational Equity (AGE), which represents seniors as well as Americans in other generations.

High prices have often been cited by an estimated 13-19 million U.S. seniors for not taking advantage of the health, safety and other benefits of owning a cell phone. In response, the Senior Advocate Health & Safety Project of the independent and nonprofit Alliance for Generational Equity (AGE) undertook a study of phones and plans offered by three leading “pay as you go” cell phone offerings aimed at older seniors: GreatCall Jitterbug; Consumer Cellular (which offers a discount for AARP members); and SVC Senior Value Cell Phone by TracFone.

AGE focused only on those nationally available wireless providers offering inexpensive prepaid plans and “senior friendly” phones with larger buttons, large-number readouts and hearing-aid compatibility. AGE is 100 percent independent and makes no commercial endorsements of any kind. AGE’s Senior Advocate Health & Safety Project has been created to provide older Americans with reliable information they can use to save money, be healthier and live safer lives.

Looking at the three wireless options, AGE found that Senior Value Cell Phone had no activation fee, the least-expensive option for service (allowing consumers to keep their phone active for about $7 a month, requiring only $20 in use or payment every three months), and the lowest-priced “senior friendly” handset, the Samsung T155G, for $14.95. By contrast, both Jitterbug and Consumer Cellular require a $35 “start up” or “activation” fee for new service, impose higher entry points for consumers ($14.99 a month for 50 minutes on Jitterbug and $10 a month to maintain service on Consumer Cellular), and feature more expensive “senior friendly” handsets ($49-$79 for Jitterbug, even though its features are very similar to the SVC handset, and $25-$30 for Consumer Cellular’s Doro handsets).

On the other hand, the price differences between the three services are less evident for higher-volume callers, with Jitterbug at $19.99 for 100 minutes, Consumer Cellular with $20 for 250 minutes and $19.99 for 120 minutes at SVC. Even at these levels, the additional activation fee and higher handset costs would offset much of the differences between these plans, AGE noted.

All three services provide nationwide coverage with no roaming costs, with SVC also providing international calls to 100 destinations for the same price as local calls.

David Herman, vice president and national spokesperson, Alliance for Generational Equity, said: “Expensive cell phone plans no longer need be an impediment to American seniors getting wireless. Older Americans who still don’t have cell phones should think seriously about taking advantage of the aggressive price war now going on among wireless companies to get more seniors to take the plunge. And for seniors who are paying too much on pricey contract-based cell phone service and throwing away hundreds of minutes a year, it’s a good time to think about switching to a cheaper prepaid plan.”

Mac Haddow, senior fellow on public policy, AGE Senior Advocate Health & Safety Project, said: “The current price war among cell phone plans catering to older Americans is good news for seniors and for those who may want to buy an affordable cell phone for a parent or grandparent. What we are seeing here is basically the extension of prepaid cell phone prices savings to one of the huge markets out there – the 13-19 million older Americans who either don’t currently own a cell phone or no longer have one. The key here is to be a savvy shopper and get the cheapest possible deal that meets your needs.”

FIVE TIPS FOR SENIORS BUYING CELL PHONES

1. Go prepaid. Chances are that you don’t need what you are paying for with an expensive contract-based cell phone. In addition to wasting minutes every month, you also face the threat of a major cancellation penalty if you want to switch phones. Dump the contract and save money by going prepaid.

2. Never buy more phone than you need. If you don’t need an iPhone, Blackberry or Android smartphone, you should avoid the mistake of thinking all “senior friendly” phones are alike. Look for big buttons, a clear digital readout with oversized numbers, simple features, and hearing aid compatibility. The chances are good that these features will service you much better than a lot of bells and whistles you will never use.

3. Shop around for the best prices on your phone. AGE’s analysis found that one of the three companies we examined is charging up to $79 for a phone with basically the same features that another of the three companies makes available for only $14.95! Just because you see a phone advertised heavily in magazines or late night television advertisements does not mean that’s the best price you can find.

4. Beware of hidden fees and short-term incentives. Just because you have gotten rid of the “early termination fee” on your contract-based cell phone does not mean that you are free of all fees. Two of the three companies we examined charge a $35 “activation fee,” even though another of the three does not. One of the three companies AGE reviewed offers AARP members three months of more minutes at a cheaper price, but that does not really go to the issue of the long-term cost of owning the phone.

5. Figure out your phone use profile and then shop accordingly. If you make a lot of calls on your cell phones, the differences between the three wireless companies we examined are less clear. If you are a new wireless user or just want a wireless phone for occasional or emergency-only use, then the good news is that you can keep your phone active for as little as $7 a month. Compare that to a contract-based cell phone that may charge you $60-$80 a month – whether or not you use the phone for 5 minutes or 500 minutes!

AGE emphasized that seniors should do their own homework and buy the cell phone that is right for them. For more information about the companies reviewed here, go to: Senior Value Cellphone (http://www.seniorvaluecellphone.com); GreatCall/Jitterbug (http://www.greatcall.com/); and Consumer Cellular (http://www.consumercellular.com/).

ABOUT AGE

The Alliance for Generational Equity (http://www.ageadvocacy.org) is committed to protecting each generation from abusive public policies and other practices that erode their quality of life, rob them of their hard-earned wages. AGE is dedicated to formulating and advocating public policies and other practices that protect the economic security and quality of life of each generation. AGE seeks to find solutions outside of political parties and ideological partisanship. The Senior Advocate Health & Safety Project is an undertaking of AGE to provide older Americans with reliable information they can use to save money, be healthier and live safer lives.

EDITOR’S NOTE: A streaming audio recording of the news event will be available on the Web as of 6 p.m. EST on December 21, 2010 at http://www.ageadvocacy.org.

CONTACT: Patrick Mitchell, (703) 276-3266 or pmitchell@hastingsgroup.com.

Just Say No to Nuclear Socialism! Alliance for Generational Equality Urges All Elected Officials Who Have Vowed “No More Bailouts” to Be Consistent When It Comes to Nuclear Power; No Handouts Needed for Profitable Industry With Extensive Foreign Ownership.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 12, 2010) If your Member of Congress says he or she opposes more bailouts and then turns around and supports the Senate climate bill released today, they are simply not telling you the truth, according to the independent and nonprofit Alliance for Generational Equality (AGE), which represents seniors as well as Americans in other generations.

AGE wants all seniors to know that the Senate climate bill contains $54 billion in loan guarantees for new reactors, in addition to 20 years of unlimited loan guarantee authority for new reactors established in the referenced Senate energy bill (S.1462) that would leave taxpayers on the hook for what would likely be huge sums. Of particular concern: the Congressional Budget Office estimates that the default rate on new reactors will be “very high – well above 50 percent.”

AGE Vice President and CEO Dave Herman said: “This is not about whether you support or you oppose nuclear power. For elected officials, it is about whether they are being sincere in saying no more federal bailouts. Whether it’s for banks, car companies, investment firms or nuclear reactors, a bailout is a bailout is a bailout. In fact, this is even worse than the earlier bailouts since the nuclear loan guarantees are unlimited, meaning there is literally no limit to how deeply the industry could reach into taxpayers’ pockets.”

Herman added: “How can Republicans in the Senate who are opposing financial reform legislation because of the fear of potential bailouts, then turn around here and dole out what are explicit bailouts for another industry? Federal loan guarantees for new reactors encourage utilities that are currently financially sound to take enormous risks and promise in advance to bail out them out with U.S. taxpayer dollars when the bets go bad. Federal loan guarantees that put U.S. taxpayers directly on the hook in advance are not only a huge drain on federal tax dollars waiting to happen, but they actually somehow manage to do the impossible by making the earlier bailouts look like good deals.”

Herman concluded: “We need a little less socialism from Washington and a lot more faith in the wisdom of the marketplace. We don’t care if the nuclear power industry wants to build more nuclear reactors. This is a very profitable industry with extensive foreign ownership that already makes a guaranteed profit in most states under utility regulation. If these companies controlled by French, Japanese and U.S. interests want to finance new reactors and find investors who want to support that, they have our blessing. But we are not prepared as taxpayers to allow seniors and other Americans to be ripped off by yet another multi-billion-dollar bailout for another industry.”

See Jerry Taylor, “Radioactive Corporate Welfare,” Cato Institute, February 18, 2010, at http://www.cato-at-liberty.org/2010/02/18/radioactive-corporate-welfare/ and “Nuclear Reactionaries,” Washington Monthly, May/June 2010 at http://www.washingtonmonthly.com//features/2010/1005.frank.html .

President Obama has demanded action and told Democrats passage of the health care reform bill was critical to the political future of the Democratic Party. That appeal is a strong push-back to the fear that is sweeping over Democrat Members of the House in marginal districts that a “yes” vote to health care reform will spell electoral defeat for them in November.

The Congressional Budget Office reported the cuts required to get the cost of this version of health care reform requires the following cuts in existing programs for seniors:

· $200 Billion in Cuts to Medicare Advantage

· $150 Billion in Cuts to Providers, including Hospitals, Nursing Homes and Hospice Care Facilities

· $40 Billion in Cuts to Home Health Care Services

· $20 Billion in Cuts to Hospitals Serving Low-Income Populations

In addition to these benefit cuts, the newest version of health care reform does not include the needed fix to the physician payment formula, and without it there will be a mass migration of doctors from treating Medicare patients. That fix is estimates to cost $340 Billion, and whether it will be passed separately, as Speaker Pelosi hopes, is in serious doubt if it is not included in the overall reform package.

The backroom deal making that attracted so much negative attention are largely still intact in the newest version of the health care reform, and more deals are being made to secure the last few votes needed in the House.

Critics claim the indirect cost to taxpayers to fund the various deals will total hundreds of billions before they are done.

With more than 15 million identity theft victims already on the books, and a new victim added every 2 seconds, Congress needs to act now to protect American consumers from these pernicious criminals.

Congress needs to act immediately to make the use of Social Security numbers by businesses illegal; impose stiff prison sentences for identity theft; require Credit Bureaus to adhere to a Consumer Bill of Rights; require financial institutions to adhere to national standard for fraud alerts to protect consumers; establish a National Credit Registry; require verbal authorization for any transaction that impacts a consumer credit file; and establish tough federal standards for lost or stolen consumer credit data.

AGE will deliver your petition directly to your Member of Congress and to your Senators. The petition will include your name and the city and zip code where you live to validate that you are a constituent of those Members of Congress. The other identifying information will only be used by AGE to update you on issues of concern to your generation. Thanks for speaking up.

Medical liability, driven by rampant abuse by trial lawyers, is costing Americans billions of dollars, particularly driving health care costs through the roof.  Congress needs to act now to cap non-economic damages; cap attorney’s fees to limit frivolous lawsuits; cap punitive damages to a reasonable formula; impose a statute of limitations; and limit the liability of each party to the share of damages attributable to their individual conduct.

Stop the rip-off of American consumers and enact Medical Liability Reforms Now!

AGE will deliver your petition directly to your Member of Congress and to your Senators. The petition will include your name and the city and zip code where you live to validate that you are a constituent of those Members of Congress. The other identifying information will only be used by AGE to update you on issues of concern to your generation. Thanks for speaking up.

AMD is a dibilitating vision disease that demands full coverage by Medicare.  Congress should act immediately to require coverage for low-vision therapy and mandate an annual AMD screening for every Medicare beneficiary.

AGE will deliver your petition directly to your Member of Congress and to your Senators. The petition will include your name and the city and zip code where you live to validate that you are a constituent of those Members of Congress. The other identifying information will only be used by AGE to update you on issues of concern to your generation. Thanks for speaking up.

Economic growth and job creation in America depends on American companies competing effectively in world markets. Congress must immediately ease the current shortage of highly skilled workers available to American companies by substantially increasing the the cap on H-1B visas; increasing the number of permanent residency visas issued annually; and removing arbitrary restrictions on the number of visas issued to applicants from individual countries.

These reforms need immediate attention, and I am asking Congress to act now!

AGE will deliver your petition directly to your Member of Congress and to your Senators. The petition will include your name and the city and zip code where you live to validate that you are a constituent of those Members of Congress. The other identifying information will only be used by AGE to update you on issues of concern to your generation. Thanks for speaking up.