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Seniors are exercising their fitness options
Seniors are exercising their fitness options
By Tiiffany Ray
The Birmingham (Ala.) News
Harold Finch, 76, lifts hand weights at the downtown YMCA in Birmingham, Ala. He says one of the biggest benefits of the SilverSneakers program is the social interaction.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — About a month ago, Emma J. Square took her first SilverSneakers exercise class at the YMCA as part of an ongoing effort to improve her health since having open-heart surgery in 2004.
She's liking the results.
"I think it's wonderful," said Square, 74. "I'm enjoying it immensely. It helps me get use of my arms and legs and not be stiff from just sitting around."
Square is among a growing number of seniors who are focusing greater attention on physical fitness. Various organizations are developing programs to meet the demand.
"More than anything else, it's a growing awareness that the boomers are booming, and you've got to keep them healthy," R. Michael Gall, a Huntsville-based senior-fitness expert, said of the trend. "And you can't keep them healthy just by feeding them pills."
By 2030, the U.S. will be home to 70 million people who are 65 or older, according to the American College of Sports Medicine. Jack Rejeski, a professor of health and exercise science at Wake Forest University, said that as the senior population booms, "it behooves everyone to pay attention to this now rather than wait until it's here."
Physical activity plays a significant role in countering the process of physical disablement, Rejeski said. A recent pilot study by researchers at Wake Forest and three other universities found that people 70 and older with some physical disability benefited substantially from a yearlong physical-activity program, particularly regarding mobility, he said.
Senior centers, churches and health clubs are becoming increasingly attentive to the needs of seniors.
Gold's Gym International recently partnered with AARP to market its gyms through the retiree organization, said Jeff Marks, vice president of operations for Gold's Gym of Birmingham.
SilverSneakers is a national program offered through participating health plans that provides seniors free gym memberships (participating sites can be found at www.silversneakers.com).
SilverSneakers classes combine strength, flexibility, balance and endurance training in a program that can be done sitting down. Jayme Creamer, fitness director for the downtown Birmingham YMCA, said some tentative SilverSneakers participants gradually have moved on to water aerobics, weight training and other exercises.
They've also made new friends. Harold Finch, 76, said one of the biggest benefits of SilverSneakers is the social interaction.
"I just enjoy the people, meeting the people," he said. "That's so wonderful, to see the smiles and the greetings. And then I just feel great. I don't mind eating that extra hamburger."
Gall, 70, said water aerobics and other water-based classes are popular among seniors and others with mobility problems because being in water relieves about 80 percent of body weight.
Tai chi also is popular, he said, because it requires little sweating but involves mobility, range of motion and balance — all critical areas for seniors.
Gall said all kinds of exercise can be modified to accommodate seniors of varying levels of physical ability, but "you've got to make it fun." He recommends walking, dancing and other activities in tune with seniors' daily lives.
Copyright © 2007 The Seattle Times Company
By Tiiffany Ray
The Birmingham (Ala.) News
Harold Finch, 76, lifts hand weights at the downtown YMCA in Birmingham, Ala. He says one of the biggest benefits of the SilverSneakers program is the social interaction.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — About a month ago, Emma J. Square took her first SilverSneakers exercise class at the YMCA as part of an ongoing effort to improve her health since having open-heart surgery in 2004.
She's liking the results.
"I think it's wonderful," said Square, 74. "I'm enjoying it immensely. It helps me get use of my arms and legs and not be stiff from just sitting around."
Square is among a growing number of seniors who are focusing greater attention on physical fitness. Various organizations are developing programs to meet the demand.
"More than anything else, it's a growing awareness that the boomers are booming, and you've got to keep them healthy," R. Michael Gall, a Huntsville-based senior-fitness expert, said of the trend. "And you can't keep them healthy just by feeding them pills."
By 2030, the U.S. will be home to 70 million people who are 65 or older, according to the American College of Sports Medicine. Jack Rejeski, a professor of health and exercise science at Wake Forest University, said that as the senior population booms, "it behooves everyone to pay attention to this now rather than wait until it's here."
Physical activity plays a significant role in countering the process of physical disablement, Rejeski said. A recent pilot study by researchers at Wake Forest and three other universities found that people 70 and older with some physical disability benefited substantially from a yearlong physical-activity program, particularly regarding mobility, he said.
Senior centers, churches and health clubs are becoming increasingly attentive to the needs of seniors.
Gold's Gym International recently partnered with AARP to market its gyms through the retiree organization, said Jeff Marks, vice president of operations for Gold's Gym of Birmingham.
SilverSneakers is a national program offered through participating health plans that provides seniors free gym memberships (participating sites can be found at www.silversneakers.com).
SilverSneakers classes combine strength, flexibility, balance and endurance training in a program that can be done sitting down. Jayme Creamer, fitness director for the downtown Birmingham YMCA, said some tentative SilverSneakers participants gradually have moved on to water aerobics, weight training and other exercises.
They've also made new friends. Harold Finch, 76, said one of the biggest benefits of SilverSneakers is the social interaction.
"I just enjoy the people, meeting the people," he said. "That's so wonderful, to see the smiles and the greetings. And then I just feel great. I don't mind eating that extra hamburger."
Gall, 70, said water aerobics and other water-based classes are popular among seniors and others with mobility problems because being in water relieves about 80 percent of body weight.
Tai chi also is popular, he said, because it requires little sweating but involves mobility, range of motion and balance — all critical areas for seniors.
Gall said all kinds of exercise can be modified to accommodate seniors of varying levels of physical ability, but "you've got to make it fun." He recommends walking, dancing and other activities in tune with seniors' daily lives.
Copyright © 2007 The Seattle Times Company
Boomers Worrying About Aging Are Heading To The Bookstore
Boomers Worrying About Aging Are Heading To The Bookstore
By KORKY VANN | SPECIAL TO THE COURANT
November 15, 2007
In 2008, more than 3 million members of the Forever Young generation officially begin the journey into their golden years and indications are it's going to be a bumpy ride.
While studies show 64 percent of baby boomers claim they feel an average of 11 years younger than their actual age; more than two out of three also admit they suffer from muscle or joint pain once a week or more.
Two out of three Baby Boomers believe they will be a caregiver for an elderly parent or family member in the future (and a majority plan to provide that care at home), yet research indicates Boomers expect to spend large blocks of time traveling in their retirement.
Only about a third of Boomers expect that they will have to scale back their lifestyle during retirement; yet a substantial number of baby-boomer households have so far failed to accumulate significant savings.
One thing is for certain, when leading-edge Boomers start turning 62 in January, they'll be faced with a myriad of new challenges, including retirement decisions, health problems, care-giving responsibilities and financial issues.
"Boomers are getting into their 60s and they're starting to panic as they see those unmistakable signs of aging," says Sarah Bedell, owner of the Bookworm bookstore in West Hartford. "They've controlled every part of their lives up to now and they want to be able to control, or even avoid, old age as well. So they're seeking out as much information as they can find to try to hold off the inevitable."
In other words, like W.C. Fields, a lifetime agnostic who reportedly was discovered reading a Bible on his deathbed, Boomers are looking for a loophole. To assist the over-50 crowd on that quest, publishers are filling store shelves with new guides on healthy aging, avoiding memory loss, retirement, downsizing and other aging-related topics.
One of the most popular, according to Bedell, is "You Staying Young: The Owner's Manual for Extending Your Warranty," (Free Press, $26), by Drs. Michael F. Roizen and Mehmet C. Oz. The pair, who wrote the best-selling "You: The Owner's Manual and "You: On a Diet,' are back with their top 10 secrets of staying young, ways to preserve mental acuity, ultimate longevity foods and even the "Seinfield approach" to anger management. (Do the opposite of what you immediately feel like doing, as George did in the sitcom when he wanted to turn is life around.)
"Carved in Sand: When Attention Fails and Memory Fades In Midlife," Harper Collins, $24.95), by Cathryn Jakobson Ramin, helps Boomers understand just what it is that's going on "upstairs," how to fight back against middle-aged mental fog and how to get the very best performance from older brains. "Ultralongevity" (Little, Brown, $25.99) by Dr. Mark Liponis, medical director of the posh Canyon Ranch Health Resorts, explores the idea that the key to living a long, healthy life free from all aging-related illness is a well-managed immune system. His seven-step program is designed to calm the immune system, prevent, or even reverse, the aging process through diet, exercise, rest and other healthy behaviors and habits.
"The Power of Experience: Great Writers Over 50 on the Quest for a Lifetime of Meaning," (AARP/Sterling Publishing, $19.95), with an introduction by Gail Sheehy, is a celebration of the wisdom and clarity of those in "the afternoon of life." Such writers as Amy Tan, Sherwin B. Nuland, Richard Russo, Anne Tyler and dozens of others share the fine art of growing up and the power of experience to transform your life.
"The Boomer Century 1946-2046: How America's Most Influential Generation Changed Everything," (Springboard, $25.99), by Richard Crocker, features insights from the Me Generation and those who studied them and explores how boomers have transformed and continue to transform American society at every stage of their lives. "Healthy at 100: How You Can At Any Age Dramatically Increase Your Life Span and Your Health Span," (Ballentine Books, $14.95), by John Robbins shares the secrets of some of the world's healthiest, oldest people, including exercise, nutrition and strong personal relationships can increase longevity and vigor.
"I expect that this is a trend that's going to continue for a long time," says Bedell. "There's a receptive audience and millions more coming. We're going to see increasing numbers of these books as boomers head on throughout every stage of their lives."
Contact Korky Vann at kvann@courant.com
By KORKY VANN | SPECIAL TO THE COURANT
November 15, 2007
In 2008, more than 3 million members of the Forever Young generation officially begin the journey into their golden years and indications are it's going to be a bumpy ride.
While studies show 64 percent of baby boomers claim they feel an average of 11 years younger than their actual age; more than two out of three also admit they suffer from muscle or joint pain once a week or more.
Two out of three Baby Boomers believe they will be a caregiver for an elderly parent or family member in the future (and a majority plan to provide that care at home), yet research indicates Boomers expect to spend large blocks of time traveling in their retirement.
Only about a third of Boomers expect that they will have to scale back their lifestyle during retirement; yet a substantial number of baby-boomer households have so far failed to accumulate significant savings.
One thing is for certain, when leading-edge Boomers start turning 62 in January, they'll be faced with a myriad of new challenges, including retirement decisions, health problems, care-giving responsibilities and financial issues.
"Boomers are getting into their 60s and they're starting to panic as they see those unmistakable signs of aging," says Sarah Bedell, owner of the Bookworm bookstore in West Hartford. "They've controlled every part of their lives up to now and they want to be able to control, or even avoid, old age as well. So they're seeking out as much information as they can find to try to hold off the inevitable."
In other words, like W.C. Fields, a lifetime agnostic who reportedly was discovered reading a Bible on his deathbed, Boomers are looking for a loophole. To assist the over-50 crowd on that quest, publishers are filling store shelves with new guides on healthy aging, avoiding memory loss, retirement, downsizing and other aging-related topics.
One of the most popular, according to Bedell, is "You Staying Young: The Owner's Manual for Extending Your Warranty," (Free Press, $26), by Drs. Michael F. Roizen and Mehmet C. Oz. The pair, who wrote the best-selling "You: The Owner's Manual and "You: On a Diet,' are back with their top 10 secrets of staying young, ways to preserve mental acuity, ultimate longevity foods and even the "Seinfield approach" to anger management. (Do the opposite of what you immediately feel like doing, as George did in the sitcom when he wanted to turn is life around.)
"Carved in Sand: When Attention Fails and Memory Fades In Midlife," Harper Collins, $24.95), by Cathryn Jakobson Ramin, helps Boomers understand just what it is that's going on "upstairs," how to fight back against middle-aged mental fog and how to get the very best performance from older brains. "Ultralongevity" (Little, Brown, $25.99) by Dr. Mark Liponis, medical director of the posh Canyon Ranch Health Resorts, explores the idea that the key to living a long, healthy life free from all aging-related illness is a well-managed immune system. His seven-step program is designed to calm the immune system, prevent, or even reverse, the aging process through diet, exercise, rest and other healthy behaviors and habits.
"The Power of Experience: Great Writers Over 50 on the Quest for a Lifetime of Meaning," (AARP/Sterling Publishing, $19.95), with an introduction by Gail Sheehy, is a celebration of the wisdom and clarity of those in "the afternoon of life." Such writers as Amy Tan, Sherwin B. Nuland, Richard Russo, Anne Tyler and dozens of others share the fine art of growing up and the power of experience to transform your life.
"The Boomer Century 1946-2046: How America's Most Influential Generation Changed Everything," (Springboard, $25.99), by Richard Crocker, features insights from the Me Generation and those who studied them and explores how boomers have transformed and continue to transform American society at every stage of their lives. "Healthy at 100: How You Can At Any Age Dramatically Increase Your Life Span and Your Health Span," (Ballentine Books, $14.95), by John Robbins shares the secrets of some of the world's healthiest, oldest people, including exercise, nutrition and strong personal relationships can increase longevity and vigor.
"I expect that this is a trend that's going to continue for a long time," says Bedell. "There's a receptive audience and millions more coming. We're going to see increasing numbers of these books as boomers head on throughout every stage of their lives."
Contact Korky Vann at kvann@courant.com
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Boomers expect to keep working
Boomers expect to keep working
Few plan to retire early, but it may happen anyway
Jonathan Chevreau, Financial Post
Published: Wednesday, November 07, 2007
Early retirement isn't in the cards for most Baby Boomers, according to Montreal-based Desjardins Financial Security. Its poll of 1,505 Canadians finds the "all play and no work" variety of retirement is on the verge of extinction.
Among those already retired, 10% still work at least part-time, while 54% of workers beyond age 39 are planning a gradual retirement.
While Desjardins seems to conclude the Boomers' retirement experience will be different than their parents',Mercer worldwide partner Malcolm Hamilton is less sure. He says working Canadians may think they'll retire gradually but may one day discover they're tired of working, lose their jobs or no longer be healthy enough to work.
Generally, Desjardins finds the older people are when surveyed, the later the expected retirement age. Most say the ideal is 60 but university grads expect to work past the traditional retirement age of 65.
Desjardins senior vicepresident Monique Tremblay says the "ideal" retirement age is a moving target, especially for those who had children late in life.
More than 80% expect to be in debt when they enter retirement yet are complacent about it. Tremblay says they're indulging in "magical thinking." Few consider the long-term impact of inflation and "could be in for sticker shock when it comes to food, housing and other basic necessities."
Fidelity Investments Canada recently suggested retirees will need to replace at least 85% of the income they generated when working, a tad above the consensus 70%.
In an interview yesterday, Tremblay went one better, suggesting a 90% replacement ratio might be a suitable target for many Boomers. Every case is different: those who plan to travel the world and stay in plush hotels might need to replace 125% of their working incomes, Tremblay says.
Those who don't consider all possible risks may be in for an unpleasant surprise when they try to retire.
One is "market risk" -- the risk the stock market may fall just as you enter retirement with a portfolio heavy in stocks or equity funds.
York University finance professor Moshe Milevsky dubs this the "retirement risk zone."
Milevsky notes the sequence of returns early in retirement can dramatically shorten or lengthen the number of years portfolios can generate enough income to live on.
Another is longevity risk: the risk of outliving your savings. Dejardins finds only 38% worry about this.
One tool for mitigating this risk has been annuities. Desjardins has just unveiled a new variable annuity product called Helios. It aims to tackle some of these problems, although it's not mentioned in the survey. Unlike the lifetime 5% annual income promised by Manulife's Income Plus, Helios aims only to provide a 7% annual return for 14 years. But Tremblay says that could help people bridge the income gap between ages 51 and 65, when government pensions kick in. Or it would bridge the gap between 57 and age 71, when retirees begin to draw income from their newly established RRIFs.
Tremblay believes retail investors need financial advisors to help them plan retirement. But Desjardins' regional vice-president of sales Michael Aziz quips most put more time and care into planning an African safari. They take a "do-it-yourself " approach and fail to arm themselves with the "knowledgeable assistance" needed for a financially predictable retirement
Few plan to retire early, but it may happen anyway
Jonathan Chevreau, Financial Post
Published: Wednesday, November 07, 2007
Early retirement isn't in the cards for most Baby Boomers, according to Montreal-based Desjardins Financial Security. Its poll of 1,505 Canadians finds the "all play and no work" variety of retirement is on the verge of extinction.
Among those already retired, 10% still work at least part-time, while 54% of workers beyond age 39 are planning a gradual retirement.
While Desjardins seems to conclude the Boomers' retirement experience will be different than their parents',Mercer worldwide partner Malcolm Hamilton is less sure. He says working Canadians may think they'll retire gradually but may one day discover they're tired of working, lose their jobs or no longer be healthy enough to work.
Generally, Desjardins finds the older people are when surveyed, the later the expected retirement age. Most say the ideal is 60 but university grads expect to work past the traditional retirement age of 65.
Desjardins senior vicepresident Monique Tremblay says the "ideal" retirement age is a moving target, especially for those who had children late in life.
More than 80% expect to be in debt when they enter retirement yet are complacent about it. Tremblay says they're indulging in "magical thinking." Few consider the long-term impact of inflation and "could be in for sticker shock when it comes to food, housing and other basic necessities."
Fidelity Investments Canada recently suggested retirees will need to replace at least 85% of the income they generated when working, a tad above the consensus 70%.
In an interview yesterday, Tremblay went one better, suggesting a 90% replacement ratio might be a suitable target for many Boomers. Every case is different: those who plan to travel the world and stay in plush hotels might need to replace 125% of their working incomes, Tremblay says.
Those who don't consider all possible risks may be in for an unpleasant surprise when they try to retire.
One is "market risk" -- the risk the stock market may fall just as you enter retirement with a portfolio heavy in stocks or equity funds.
York University finance professor Moshe Milevsky dubs this the "retirement risk zone."
Milevsky notes the sequence of returns early in retirement can dramatically shorten or lengthen the number of years portfolios can generate enough income to live on.
Another is longevity risk: the risk of outliving your savings. Dejardins finds only 38% worry about this.
One tool for mitigating this risk has been annuities. Desjardins has just unveiled a new variable annuity product called Helios. It aims to tackle some of these problems, although it's not mentioned in the survey. Unlike the lifetime 5% annual income promised by Manulife's Income Plus, Helios aims only to provide a 7% annual return for 14 years. But Tremblay says that could help people bridge the income gap between ages 51 and 65, when government pensions kick in. Or it would bridge the gap between 57 and age 71, when retirees begin to draw income from their newly established RRIFs.
Tremblay believes retail investors need financial advisors to help them plan retirement. But Desjardins' regional vice-president of sales Michael Aziz quips most put more time and care into planning an African safari. They take a "do-it-yourself " approach and fail to arm themselves with the "knowledgeable assistance" needed for a financially predictable retirement
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Seniors can benefit if new center comes with outdoor space
Seniors can benefit if new center comes with outdoor space
November 4, 2007
There have been numerous discussions in recent months over whether Needham's new senior center should continue to be located within the downtown, or moved to a larger parcel of land outside of the downtown area called Ridge Hill.
Breaking News Alerts There are positive aspects for a Needham Center location, but the reality is any parcel chosen would require the senior center remain small with limited parking.
The town's Park and Recreation Commission supports having the center at a location that affords many opportunities for utilizing outdoor areas.
People who visit parks for longer periods of time have significantly lower systolic blood pressures than those who stay for short periods of time. Visitors who were more physically active and made frequent contact with friends through their leisure time were less likely to report feeling depressed. Also, visitors who view a park environment recover more quickly from stressful situations, including from health issues, and older adults who engaged in a broad repertoire of park and recreation activities were more likely to report higher levels of perceived physical health.
A new senior center with an outdoors component will enhance the program activities offered by Park and Recreation. Imagine the opportunities for exercise, to participate in the arts outdoors, and to view nature.
After being part of discussions about the location of a senior center for almost twenty years, the commission is excited that one is on its way, and hope an indoor and outdoor facility will become a reality.
Christopher R. Dollase
Chairman
Needham Park and
Recreation Commission
© Copyright 2007 Globe Newspaper Company.
November 4, 2007
There have been numerous discussions in recent months over whether Needham's new senior center should continue to be located within the downtown, or moved to a larger parcel of land outside of the downtown area called Ridge Hill.
Breaking News Alerts There are positive aspects for a Needham Center location, but the reality is any parcel chosen would require the senior center remain small with limited parking.
The town's Park and Recreation Commission supports having the center at a location that affords many opportunities for utilizing outdoor areas.
People who visit parks for longer periods of time have significantly lower systolic blood pressures than those who stay for short periods of time. Visitors who were more physically active and made frequent contact with friends through their leisure time were less likely to report feeling depressed. Also, visitors who view a park environment recover more quickly from stressful situations, including from health issues, and older adults who engaged in a broad repertoire of park and recreation activities were more likely to report higher levels of perceived physical health.
A new senior center with an outdoors component will enhance the program activities offered by Park and Recreation. Imagine the opportunities for exercise, to participate in the arts outdoors, and to view nature.
After being part of discussions about the location of a senior center for almost twenty years, the commission is excited that one is on its way, and hope an indoor and outdoor facility will become a reality.
Christopher R. Dollase
Chairman
Needham Park and
Recreation Commission
© Copyright 2007 Globe Newspaper Company.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Gregg's baby boomer task force plan gets backing
Gregg's baby boomer task force plan gets backing
By JORDY YAGER
Special to the Union Leader
6 hours, 4 minutes ago
WASHINGTON – The country's budget crisis is a "fiscal cancer'' that threatens the nation's economic health, a leading expert told a Senate panel yesterday.
Republican Sen. Judd Gregg of New Hampshire has offered legislation to tackle the crisis by forming a bipartisan task force that would recommend to Congress ways to resolve the nation's spending and revenue imbalance.
The Senate Budget Committee heard testimony from experts yesterday in an attempt to identify weaknesses in the proposal and solidify support for the task force, which Gregg said would address "the single biggest domestic issue which we face as a nation as we move into the next 10 to 20 years."
David M. Walker, the U.S. comptroller general, told the committee, "We have been diagnosed with a fiscal cancer. We do not face an immediate heart attack, but that cancer is growing in us and it threatens our nation's economy, our standard of living and our national security."
Panelists at the hearing said the task force must deal with all of the issues surrounding the country's fiscal policies, including the rising cost of health care, Social Security costs, Medicare and Medicaid costs, retirement benefits and the need for Congress to take action.
"Everything has to be on the table," said Leon Panetta, former chief of staff to President Clinton and former chairman of the House Budget Committee. "If you make exceptions, if you try to exclude certain areas from being considered, then you're dooming the process from the beginning."
With the national debt already more than $9 trillion, the first of an estimated 70 million baby boomers filed for Social Security benefits Oct. 15. Social Security spending will grow by an estimated 50 percent over the next 40 years, according to a report earlier this year by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.
But many politicians are wary of addressing the country's fiscal problems with legislation, which is why Gregg and Democratic Sen. Kent Conrad of North Dakota proposed the task force.
"You can understand why politicians are so fearful of the issue because if they do put a proposal on the street, it's so easily demagogued, and you can easily convince the elderly they'll be eating dog food because of this person's proposal," said Rudy Penner, a former Congressional Budget Office chief who is currently a senior fellow with the Urban Institute, a nonprofit think tank based in Washington.
The task force would be made up of seven senators and seven House members, the Secretary of the Treasury (who would chair the panel) and one other member designated by the president. In each chamber, four of the panel's members would be chosen by the majority party and three by the minority.
"There's very little dispute that the current fiscal policies are unsustainable and that future generations are at risk from inaction," said Robert L. Bixby, executive director of the Concord Coalition, a bipartisan fiscal advocacy group, at the hearing. "Too few of our elected leaders in Washington are unwilling to acknowledge the seriousness of the long-term fiscal problem and even fewer are willing to put it on the political agenda."
The task force would submit long-term policy recommendations by Dec. 9, 2008, and Congress would be given just five legislative days to accept or reject the proposals without change and on a three-fifths vote of approval in each chamber.
"The public is angry at the Congress, the administration, and basically what they're saying is enough is enough,'' said Bill Novelli, chief executive officer of AARP, an advocacy group for senior citizens. "And so I think extraordinary means are necessary. Business as usual is not going to get it done.''
Jordy Yager is an intern with the Boston University Washington News Service.
By JORDY YAGER
Special to the Union Leader
6 hours, 4 minutes ago
WASHINGTON – The country's budget crisis is a "fiscal cancer'' that threatens the nation's economic health, a leading expert told a Senate panel yesterday.
Republican Sen. Judd Gregg of New Hampshire has offered legislation to tackle the crisis by forming a bipartisan task force that would recommend to Congress ways to resolve the nation's spending and revenue imbalance.
The Senate Budget Committee heard testimony from experts yesterday in an attempt to identify weaknesses in the proposal and solidify support for the task force, which Gregg said would address "the single biggest domestic issue which we face as a nation as we move into the next 10 to 20 years."
David M. Walker, the U.S. comptroller general, told the committee, "We have been diagnosed with a fiscal cancer. We do not face an immediate heart attack, but that cancer is growing in us and it threatens our nation's economy, our standard of living and our national security."
Panelists at the hearing said the task force must deal with all of the issues surrounding the country's fiscal policies, including the rising cost of health care, Social Security costs, Medicare and Medicaid costs, retirement benefits and the need for Congress to take action.
"Everything has to be on the table," said Leon Panetta, former chief of staff to President Clinton and former chairman of the House Budget Committee. "If you make exceptions, if you try to exclude certain areas from being considered, then you're dooming the process from the beginning."
With the national debt already more than $9 trillion, the first of an estimated 70 million baby boomers filed for Social Security benefits Oct. 15. Social Security spending will grow by an estimated 50 percent over the next 40 years, according to a report earlier this year by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.
But many politicians are wary of addressing the country's fiscal problems with legislation, which is why Gregg and Democratic Sen. Kent Conrad of North Dakota proposed the task force.
"You can understand why politicians are so fearful of the issue because if they do put a proposal on the street, it's so easily demagogued, and you can easily convince the elderly they'll be eating dog food because of this person's proposal," said Rudy Penner, a former Congressional Budget Office chief who is currently a senior fellow with the Urban Institute, a nonprofit think tank based in Washington.
The task force would be made up of seven senators and seven House members, the Secretary of the Treasury (who would chair the panel) and one other member designated by the president. In each chamber, four of the panel's members would be chosen by the majority party and three by the minority.
"There's very little dispute that the current fiscal policies are unsustainable and that future generations are at risk from inaction," said Robert L. Bixby, executive director of the Concord Coalition, a bipartisan fiscal advocacy group, at the hearing. "Too few of our elected leaders in Washington are unwilling to acknowledge the seriousness of the long-term fiscal problem and even fewer are willing to put it on the political agenda."
The task force would submit long-term policy recommendations by Dec. 9, 2008, and Congress would be given just five legislative days to accept or reject the proposals without change and on a three-fifths vote of approval in each chamber.
"The public is angry at the Congress, the administration, and basically what they're saying is enough is enough,'' said Bill Novelli, chief executive officer of AARP, an advocacy group for senior citizens. "And so I think extraordinary means are necessary. Business as usual is not going to get it done.''
Jordy Yager is an intern with the Boston University Washington News Service.
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