social security – Rick Crawford for Congress

Legendary Singer and Spokesman for 60 Plus Announces Endorsement

Alexandria, VA – Legendary entertainer Pat Boone, spokesman for a national non-partisan senior citizen group, announced today that Rick Crawford has won the 60 Plus Association’s Honorary Guardian of Seniors’ Rights award. Crawford is a Republican candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in AR-01.

Boone, still performing at concerts, was a recording, movie and TV star second to none in the 1950s, 60s and 70s, and had 38 top 10 hits during his career. Now a national spokesman for 60 Plus, Boone labeled Crawford a “fighter for the elderly.”

The Association’s Guardian Award is presented to Democrats and Republicans in Congress based on their “senior friendly” voting records. The Honorary Award is given to those running for office and is based on their views on seniors’ issues.

“Rick Crawford can always be counted on to protect Social Security and Medicare,” Boone said. “Rick Crawford will be a tax cutter, protecting the pocket books of senior citizens. 60 Plus calls on nearly 5.5 million seniors nationally for support, so I believe I can speak on behalf of seniors when I say that they can count on Rick Crawford. Clearly, seniors will have no finer friend in Congress than Rick Crawford.”

The news this week from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) about Social Security is sobering. For the first time in the program’s history, it will pay out more in benefits than it receives in contributions. CBO had predicted this “tipping point” would not occur until 2017.

The news highlights Washington’s untruthfulness about what it has been doing with the surpluses all these years. In a number of stories I read about the earlier-than-expected deficit, government officials were quoted as saying the program is in no immediate danger because there is a $2.5 trillion trust fund. Really!? A trust fund with actual money in it?

But, of course, we all know this is not true. The truth is that the politicians we elected through the years spent every dime of the surplus money. Consequently, not only is the $2.5 trillion not sitting in a “trust fund” somewhere in Washington, but these same politicians spent another $12.5 trillion MORE than they had in revenue.

Unfortunately it gets worse. The sum of the U.S. government’s unfunded promises is $56.5 trillion…and growing by roughly $3 trillion each year. That is $340 million an hour!

What impact will this have on our economy? Will foreign governments at some point decide lending to the U.S. is risky? Is this sustainable? How will it impact our children and grandchildren?

The answer to each of these questions is heartbreaking. But while our political “leaders” have not been truthful, we must also accept responsibility. If we do not engage in the debate, if we do not rise up to elect leaders who will force Washington to change its ways, if we do not act on the principle of “government by the people,” then we will in fact leave our children and grandchildren a country in complete financial ruin.

I think it is clear that we can no longer trust professional politicians to take the bold action that is needed. All of the other candidates in the race for Arkansas’ First Congressional District have spent their lives in politics. Please join me in bringing real change to our government. Not more entitlement spending that we cannot afford, not more pandering about “I’m for YOU!” but someone who will vote to put our financial house back in order so that we do not leave a catastrophe for our loved ones.

My wife Stacy and I feel passionate about this and we just can’t imagine doing this to our children. Please join us today in making a difference. Join my facebook page, forward this article to others you think care about our future, and, if you are so inclined, consider a small financial contribution that will help me buy radio and TV time to communicate this message to a broader audience.

Respectfully,