National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare Endorses John Adler for Congress

Mt. Laurel, NJ – The National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare (NCPSSM) has endorsed Democratic congressional candidate John Adler, praising his commitment to seniors and all Americans who seek a secure and productive retirement. The NCPSSM is a grassroots organization representing millions of members who support maintaining the integrity of the Social Security system, which has come under assault from President Bush and other Republicans who have urged that it be privatized – carelessly exposing Americans' retirement funds to the whims of the stock market.

Among those planning to gamble with our seniors' retirement funds is Chris Myers, a steadfast Bush disciple and Adler's Republican opponent in New Jersey's 3rd District U.S. House race. Adler, a strong and consistent advocate for seniors, said that preserving the integrity of the Social Security system will be one of his top priorities in Washington.

"John Adler understands the importance that Social Security benefits be guaranteed and not be subject to the ups and downs of Wall Street," said Scott L. Frey, the committee's senior advisor for policy and program coordination. "Privatization is a way to dismantle Social Security and its guaranteed benefits."

Adler said he was "extremely grateful" for the committee's endorsement and noted the sharp contrast between his and Myers' views on the nation's retirement fund. Adler said the issue represented one of the most fundamental differences between him and Myers and further underscored his opponent's insensitivity to the critical financial problems facing middle-class America.

"Unlike Mayor Myers, I have been outspoken in my opposition to the Bush plan to privatize Social Security and will fight to maintain its integrity, " Adler said. "The recent financial crisis has shown that we simply cannot risk gambling with Social Security funds in the stock market.  I will continue to work with groups like the NCPSSM and AARP to ban the raiding of the Social Security trust fund and ensure its availability for generations to come."

The National Committee to Protect Social Security and Medicare was formed in 1982 by former Congressman James Roosevelt, the son of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who created the original Social Security Program. The NCPSSM, a nonpartisan, nonprofit 501(c)(4), represents the views of millions of members and supporters, including more than 10,000 people in the 3rd congressional District. Its mission is to protect, preserve, promote, and ensure the financial security, health, and well-being of current and future generations of maturing Americans.