AARP sets two-issue agenda for ’08 election

CARSON CITY -- A national retiree organization kicked off a campaign in Nevada on Wednesday to try to focus the 2008 presidential race on the need for affordable health care and long-term financial security for all Americans.

Erik Olsen, president of AARP and a resident of Glennbrook, told a group of members, lawmakers and others on the Capitol grounds that all candidates will be asked to focus on solving the two pressing issues in a bipartisan manner.

Called "Divided We Fail," the campaign is being launched in states with early presidential contests, including Nevada.

"For too many Americans, the American dream seems to be falling apart," Olsen said.

Health care costs are out of control for employers and their employees, he said. The cost of health care is sapping the nation's worldwide competitiveness, Olsen said.

Americans should have peace of mind about their long-term financial security as well, he said.

The AARP platform on this issue calls for the creation of financial incentives to save, ensured access to retirement plans and the right to keep working regardless of age.

But Olsen said all the country is getting from Washington, D.C., on these issues is "empty talk."

Getting all of the presidential candidates to focus on these issues and put them at the forefront of their campaigns is critical, he said.

The group will "demand action, answers and accountability" from the candidates, Olsen said.

Carla Sloan, Nevada state director of the AARP, said the group will attend every presidential campaign event in Nevada to try to keep candidates attentive to the two issues.

Olsen and other AARP officials were joined by legislative leaders, including Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio, R-Reno, Senate Minority Leader Dina Titus, D-Las Vegas, and Assembly Speaker Barbara Buckley, D-Las Vegas, in support of the Divided We Fail effort.

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that assists and advocates for people age 50 and older.