Americans Discuss Social Security

[Doug Schuler]

Here is a press release from an organization called "Americans Discuss
Social Security."  They're trying to start a "nation-wide conversation"
on this issue and Seattle is going to be one of the sites for a follow
on event.  From what I understand, there is a chance that SCN would be
able to be a partner of sorts on this effort.

-- Doug


According to a recent national survey, 4/5 of all Americans describe
Social Security as "important to them personally."  This figure comes
from an unprecedented study of 2,000 American families across two
generations - talking about growing older, retiring, their links with
one another and the role of Social Security in their lives.  To engage
the American public in a nation-wide conversation about the future of
Social Security, Americans Discuss Social Security
(http://www.americansdiscuss.org) will hold a ten-city teleconference
across the country on Saturday March 21st.  This e-mail is an
invitation to all who read it to come to participate in one of the ten
cities or come watch, listen, and chat on-line live at
http://www.americansdiscuss.org.

The interactive teleconference will link groups of no more than 120
people in Albuquerque, Boise, Boston, Denver, Detroit, Lexington,
Minneapolis, San Francisco, Tallahassee and Winston-Salem.  Those
wishing to participate on-line from 12:00-4:00 pm EST will be able to
watch and listen via Real Audio and Video and ask questions and
interactive with the live national conference at
htpp://www.americansdiscuss.org.

This is NOT a lecture or panel discussion.  There is no "audience,"
there are only PARTICIPANTS, real people talking about what Social
Security means to them: a tax from their paycheck, their source of
income, a government entitlement, or any other way it affects our
lives.

WHAT KIND OF AMERICA DO WE WANT WHEN WE, AND THOSE WE KNOW, RETIRE? The
participants in the teleconference, representing all ages and
walks-of-life, will help to answer this question based on their own
opinions and experiences.

SUSAN ROOK, former moderator of CNN's Talk Back Live, will moderate the
national debate in Washington D.C.  Local "Donahue-style" moderators
will stimulate the discussion in each city and on-line, to help create
an open, enthusiastic and organized discussion reflecting their values
and their personal stake in the future of Social Security.

PRESIDENT CLINTON will be participating in the teleconference from
Washington, DC.  His role will be one of LISTENING and ASKING
questions.  This will NOT be a political soapbox, but a chance for the
leaders of our nation to hear what the people have to say -- DIRECTLY,
not through impersonal poll results or media reports.

MAJOR PRINT AND BROADCAST MEDIA has been contacted and is expected to
provide significant coverage for this important national event at each
site and on-line.

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO REGISTER in your city, please call
1-888-560-ADSS, or visit http://www.americansdiscuss.org.

PLEASE FORWARD this e-mail to anyone who may be interested.

Americans Discuss Social Security is a non-profit effort funded by The
Pew Charitable Trusts.  Our mission is to engage Americans form all
walks of life in a country-wide debate about the future of Social
Security, and to provide a framework within which these citizens can
help America's policymakers to resolve this issue.

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