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Senior Citizens (1)
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1673690
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Senior Citizens (1)
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President Ford Committee Records
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The original documents are located in Box B82, folder "Senior Citizens (1)" of the President Ford Committee Campaign Records at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library. Copyright Notice The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Gerald R. Ford donated to the United States of America her copyrights in all of her husband's unpublished writings in National Archives collections. Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library. Some items in this folder were not digitized because it contains copyrighted materials. Please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library for access to these materials. THE ELDERLY The President has pledged to do everything in my power to help our Nation demonstrate by its deeds a deep concern for the dignity and worth of our olde. persons. By doing so, our Nation will continue to benefit from the contributions that older persons can make to the strengthening of our Nation". High on the list of the President's priorities are the income and health security for older Americans: -- In his 1976 State of the Union Address, the President pro- posed that Social Security benefits be expanded by the full cost- of-living increase. This benefit became effective on July 1 of this year. -- To protect the integrity of the Social Security Trust Fund - a fund that is being rapidly depleted - the President in his 1976 State of the Union Address also proposed a small in- crease in both employer and employee social security taxes. This increase would become effective January 1, 1977 and would cost workers a maximum of $1 a week. -- As noted earlier, the President has also proposed a catas- trophic health insurance program to limit the out-of-pocket amount the elderly people must pay for medical and physicians' fees each year. - In November 1975, the President signed Amendments to the Older Americans Act that is intended to deliver coordinated, com- prehensive services and meals to the elderly at the community level and to enable older persons to live independent lives in their own homes. is FORD GERALD LIBRAST THE ELDERLY The President has pledged " to do everything in my power to help our Nation demonstrate by its deeds a deep concern for the dignity and worth of our olde. persons. By doing so, our Nation will continue to benefit from the contributions that older persons can make to the strengthening of our Nation". High on the list of the President's priorities are the income and health security for older Americans: -- In his 1976 State of the Union Address, the President pro- posed that Social Security benefits be expanded by the full cost- of-living increase. This benefit became effective on July 1 of this year. --- To protect the integrity of the Social Security Trust Fund -- a fund that is being rapidly depleted -- the President in his 1976 State of the Union Address also proposed a small in- crease in both employer and employee social security taxes. This increase would become effective January 1, 1977 and would cost workers a maximum of $1 a week. -- As noted earlier, the President has also proposed a catas- trophic health insurance program to limit the out-of-pocket amount the elderly people must pay for medical and physicians' fees each year. - In November 1975, the President signed Amendments to the Older Americans Act that is intended to deliver coordinated, com- prehensive services and meals to the elderly at the community level and to enable older persons to live independent lives in their own homes. is FORD GERALD ARE Older Am for ford FILE 825-C Balmoral Court Lakewood, N.J. 08701 Secretary Caspar W. Weinberger Health, Education and Welfare 330 Independence Avenue S.W. Dear Mr. Secretary: President Ford states in AARP News Bulletin "Maintaining the integrity of the Social Security system is a vital obligation Evidently your department is not quite in agreement with this statement where it concerns Medicare. Until August of 1976, the rebate of paid medical bills were sent to us not less than four weeks from the date of mailing. These last several months, however, the payments are delayed over 12 weeks. These delays also effect private insurance carried, since they request a copy of the "Explanation of Benefits" to accompany the claim. If integrity really extends to the older and often poorer population, these delays cause hardships. Naturally, the doctors do not care to accept assignments. I have asked others for their opinion on the subject. The consensus of opinion seems to be that this will not be taken care of unless we have a new administration. Please let us know, either on newscasts or in newspapers how and when this can be corrected. At the moment, it is a VOTE-LOSER FOR FORD. Yours very truly, (Mrs.) Helen Schickler PS Private Insurance companies process claims in 2-3 weeks. CC President Gerald R. Ford LIBRARY GERALD ? TOMO 825-C Balmorsl Ct Lakewood NJ 08701 TOMS RIVER. 26 PM OCT NM FRE 280 USA BICINTERMAL OCEAN 1976 United States 13c President Gerald R. Ford The White House Election Committee Washington, D. C. LIBRARY GER,ILD Sr.Citizers Sr. October 14, 1976 Mr. Thomas Turrell 324 à E. Broadway Anaheim, California 92805 Dear M. Turrell, Thank you for your letter expressing support for President Ford. Letters from individuals like yourself keep us in touch with the concerns of Americans everywhere. President Ford has proposed several actions to hepp the ou elderly. He has pledged to do everything in my power to help' our Nation demonstrate by its deeds a deep concern for the dignity and worth of our older persons. By doing so, our Nation will continue to benefit from the contribution that older persons can make to the strengthening of our Nation". The President has proposed several pieces of legislation on SOC social security and health insurance. IntbbehState of the Union Address, he proposed a small increase in both employer and employee social security taxes. This increase would become effective January 1, 1977 and would cost the workers a maximum of $1 a week. He has also proposed a catastrophic health insurance program to dimit the out-of pocket amount the elderly people must pau for medical and physicians fees each year. Thank you for your letter and we hope this explanation gives you a better understanding on the President's policies on the elderly. He has not ignored them, but has only tried to help them. We hope your support continues and that the President can count on your vote in November. Sincerely, Barbara D. Norris Director of Correspondence BDN: br LIBRARY GERALS 80. FORD I'mite- "UTo" UTO whold rs. Anthein, 3241 E. Brozdway G. 97805 October 5, 976 The Republica national CAMPAGY 1878 Headguarters L. st. N.W., Suity 250 Washington, D.C. 20036 Gontlemen: Wimmie Carter has spokey of The plight of the old peo- Ale in this country, as being of disgrace, if I remember correctly, and I would have to igneesthat! Furthernore, I think The social security system is sofull of megui- Ties(infusTices) 1/17/1 "ith is a large measure of This disgrace: Listen; old people can' R. FORD ob- tain "hearing aids" so they Can hear the Television, among other things, without blasting everyone else out ed the neighborhood. WHY? I have -2- zsked, over and over; and I get such answers as: "That's The book" or, That's the law!"- just as if, "that settles it." But does that settle such I "human"Question as This is? Again: dentures, 16 They Hop pen to be "partials" are not replaced, even by The state, when broken. 7 have letters To prove That- letters telling me, rery positively, that They could not replace my upper broken, andreworn so bedly That the weld will not hold for eating purposes I would like to ask why, old people cannot have These dr artie needs? needs that if not supplied can result HE- in a Health problem d zard To Gealth. FORD LIBRA now, in view of all of this; just about -3- y week ago it was reported that president Ford had decided that people on medicare would now have to pay I larger hunk on their medicare. I don't, for the life of me, under- stand this! especially with prices sky.rocketing out of sight, where on earth would they get the money To pay it! WHY? why?! for Geodness sake, such deprivation: I suppose They willsay, in washington, that America is just Too poor, To feed, and supply The other necessities ecf life to old people, who can't help Themselves. But it seems that we have no problem in subsidizing the world. ooes charity Begin 181 at home? I wonder. I'm DUZ zled. sincerely, Thomas F Terrell Comments: Senior Citizens October 14, 1976 Mr. Harley N. Cole 5538 Ranchita Avenue Van Nuys, California 91401 Dear Mr. Cole: Thank you very much for your recent letter. We at the President Ford Committee certainly appreciate your efforts for the President's campaign in working with Senior Citizens. California is an important state for the President and the support of Senior Citizens could go a long way in guaranteeing victory. President Ford's concern for the elderly has been evident since the early days of his administration. He has signed a $22.8 billion anti-recession tax cut bill that included payment of $50 to each of some 34 million individuals receiving Social Security, Railroad Retire- ment and Supplemental Income benefits. Families caring for elderly persons benefitted by a liberalization of tax deduction rules. The President has also signed the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 which, among other things, provides subsidized housing for low- income renters and authorizes direct, low-interest loans for housing for the elderly. The President has also strongly supported the concept of the Older Americans Act. Less than a year ago he signed into law amendments to the Older Americans Act authorizing $272 million for new services and goals - almost seven times more than available three years earlier. More recently, President Ford has made several new pro- posals which include a cost-of-living increase in Social Security benefits, and a program to alleviate the burden of catastrophic illness. These accomplishments and innovative proposals have earned the respect of senior citizens throughout the coun- try. We hope that with your assistance this record can be publicized to the senior citizens of California. I urge BERALD R.FORD LIBRAPT -2- you to contact Dave Liggett, the executive director of the President's campaign in California, and discuss ways of spreading this information to the senior citizens of California. Mr. Liggett can be reached by writing him at 5959 W. Century Blvd., Los Angeles, Cal. 90045. Thanks again for your support. It's great to know that you are working with us and that the President can count on your vote on November 2nd. Sincerely, Barbara D. Norris Director of Correspondence BDN/mb BERALD ? TORD comments senior citizens Seft 26-1976 her President- HARLEY П. COLE manyot us are working hard for your well deserved rellection, legislative refresenatine & that aught last week since they are seeking a attended a SeniorCatezens Meeting beinterested but what impressed are to eliminate allor any politicies we was had angry & determined they themwith excessive increases in involved in the recent overburding evaluation throwing butof balance property taxesthru ficticious home their flaus for a relaxed Reterement. Ia County Supervisor whothed Carter was coached by are attended several citizen meetings where he was threatened with recall be exploited of would Carter is could CALIFORNIA SCOL SHERMAN CORP. OAKS newspapers, certainly successfully capitolizen and they vote flued three who Thereare 55 ods oop Seniors have reached 55t & are wondering what will happen HARLEY П. COLE to their splased reterement@ another flus their 620265 sous youghtes their parento welfare who dont want to every about I'm perhads more familiar picture that amost, but above with this brodd & unportant alls I am able to bring the entire analysis to you of your make the most useful & fro- campaigm people so you cau fund Quivencement for Services every used or presented ederey a you need me Illmeet with your or your Countring high wherever a. FUND stuy own ex femse DELATE SCOL CORP. SHERMAN OAKS CALIFORNIA Ranchits line 213-787-4663 Vau Reeys 91401 69 Senior Citizens: general October 13, 1976 Mr. David L. Lloyd, Jr. University of Pennsylvania Law School Box #2083 3440 Chestnut Street Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19174 Dear Mr. Lloyd: Thank you for your letter of October 6, and your interesting ideas concerning the elderly. Mr. Baker has read your correspondence and has asked me to respond. You are quite correct when you say that a conservative philosophy need not be merely negatavist in scope. As much as being against something, it represents a positive assertion which provides the basis of its popular appeal. President Ford has been confronted with an overwhelmingly Democratic Congress and thus has had to restrain the bedlam which they have sought to impose. Conversely, the Democratic controlled Congress has retarded those Presidential initiatives which are contrary to the majority viewpoints. Your ideas are very helpful in providing examples of alternatives to existing practices. I am forwarding a copy of your memorandum to our Older Americans Desk so that they may benefit from your suggestions. Thank you once ggain for your interest and concern. With your help and support, President Ford will be elected President on November 2. Sincerely, is ORDA Barbara D. Norris Director of Correspondence LIBRARY BN:TS Senior Citizens General. Box #2083 - University of Pennsylvania Law School 3440 Chestnut Street Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19174 October 6, 1976 Mr. James A. Baker III President Ford Committee 1828 L Street, N.W. Suite 250 Washington, D.C. 20036 Dear Mr. Baker: Thank you for your response (per Ms. Barbara Norris) to my letter of September 14, 1976. I have been in touch with the Committee's Philadelphia office and have worked the telephone banks and signed on for election day activities. My first note made the concededly vague suggestion that Pre- sident Ford should come forth with "creative initiatives". While Ms. Norris pointed out that the President has made some initiatives which have been stalled by Congress, with the ex- ception of the graduated mortgage plan, the proposals have been less than innovative. Even the mortgage plan is re- grettably belated in that I understand the President has had the authority to implementtit for nearly two years. I still think the impression is emerging that the President may want to do less of the same old things, but the same old things nonetheless. I am simply not persuaded that conservatism need be confined to holding the line against Democratic spending excesses. Rather, the Republican Party must come forward with alternatives to the very real problems in American I use the term "must" in both its moral imperative sense and also in its practical political one. Creative conservatism, properly presented, can be a winning ap- proach. As you know, in the final analysis, most people vote the way their families have voted for generations. Only a strong affirmative reason will alter that. Since the Re- publicans are in a substantial minority, we have the necessity of coming forward with these affirmative reasons to break the traditional voting patterns. This cannot be done by broad image strategies, but by careful political market segmentation and a program specifically geared to these market components. The Democrats have realized this for years. The enclosed memoradhdum is a brief, but specific, "creative FORDS initiative" which targets on a market segment and has the emotional impact to shift voting patterns. Happily, the pro- posal not only has strong vote-getting impact, but calls for a real change with meaningful results for people who des- LIBRARY perately need some nonexploitive attention: the elderly. Finally, I want to emphasize that my comments are not intended to be critical of your job, which I think has been splendid, indeed, miraculous. Furthermore, I fully recognize the limita- tions I have in trying to evaluate the national mood from an apartment in West Philadelphia. On the other hand, it was a pipe dream in Plains, Georgia, which has put us in the hole we are in today. Perhaps the Washington vantage point is not so exceptionally advantageous afteraall. Thus, while I acknow- ledge my limits, I do not care to sell these ideas short. I earnestly hope you catch the distinction. Best of luck; I hope I have not made a pest of myself. Sincerely, David L. Lloyd, Enclosures 1. GERALD FROM LISEARY MEMORANDUM TO: President Ford Committee FROM: David L. Lloyd DATE: October 6, 1976 RE: Proposed position on "means test" for elderly Americans BACKGROUND - There are approximately 23-million elderly Americans. of this number, I understand that more than 9-million turn out to vote in Presidential elections. A recent poll disclosed that in the current Presidential race, Mr. Carter leads the President among these voters by a margin of roughly 60% to 30%, a ratio sharply out of line with the nation taken as a whole. In addition, the problems confronting the older American directly touch friends and relatives who are not yet themselves elderly. The "senior citizen" bloc must include those in this category who are politicized by the issues concerning the elder- ly. The total electoral clout of this bloc is therefore con- siderable. In recent years, the senior citizens have recognized this potential political influence and have set out to organize themselves. They have made significant strides at all levels of government, at least in being recognized. Sadly, most politicians have given them lip service to exploit their vote potential, but have delivered little. The title of a recent book on aging says it all: Everybody's Studying Us. The most powerful and political senior citizen organiza- tion is the National Council of Senior Citizens, located at 1511 K Street, N.W., Washington, D.C., 20005. The President of the National Council is Nelson H. Cruikshank who served as director of the AFL-CIO Social Security Department from 1955 until his retirement in 1965. Following his retirement, Mr. Cruikshank taught at Michigan State University, Pennsylvania State University and the University of Michigan. He has be- come a veritable folk hero among the elderly. Mr. Cruikshank has taken a leave of absence from the Pre- sidency of the National Council to serve as co-chairperson of the Carter-Mondale Senior Citizens Committee. The foregoing makes clear the unmistakable conlusion that Mr. Carter has a distinct advantage over the President among older Americans and those concerned with problems of aging - a very sizable and political group. This group could make the difference in a close election. In the key state of Pennsylvania, for example, there are many politically active and aware senior citizens. If the President could take a clear and meaningful stand on an issue of importance to these people, he could materially improve his chances to be elected. The so-called means test" presents precisely this issue. MEANS TEST Title XX of the Social Security Act authorizes a program to build and operate senior citizensfacilities. These centers provide a place for the elderly to meet, play cards and general- ly reduce the loneliness which plagues them. See, "We Built You America!", The Sunday Bulletin (Philadelphia), September 26, 1976, p. 1 (attached). The Federal regulations governing the operation of these centere require that a means test be administered to all citizens desiring to use a facility. While the Federal standards are satisfied by a mere declaration of eligibility, many states insist on more elaborate examinations. Some of these, Penn- sylvania, for instance, force the elderly citizen to be sub- jected to the means test every six months. The test is ostensibly designed to screen out those older Americans who are too well-to-do to qualify for the program. It is indeed curious that a program aimed at combating loneli- ness has an income criterion for eligibility. Be that as it may, it is estimated by some that as many as 80% to 90% of all the elderly would pass the means test anyway. It turns out that the cost of administering the test is greater than the savings created by eliminating the "ineligibles". For example, the cost to administer the means test twice a year in Pennsylvania is $5-million, yet it would only cost about $1-million to simply permit the "ineligibles" to use the centers. This figure is derived from testimony given March 8, 1976, before the Senate Subcommittee on Public Assistance by Mr. Daniel Schulter, Special Assistant for Aging to Governor Milton Shapp. Mr. Schulter cites the example of Snyder County, Pennsylvania, where the means test cost $4840 to administer while servicing all the "ineligibles" would have cost but $900. Obviously not all the ineligibles would, in fact, use the cen- ter so the disparity would be even greater. The cost of the means test was over 50% of the total governmental cost of $9334 in Snyder County. By far the bigger cost, however, is the humiliation these people go through. The tests seek personal information, some- times going far beyond income statistics. Frequently these lonely people opt to live with their loneliness rather than suffer the ordeal. See, The Sunday Bulletin, supra. The data sought appears to be for sociological studies and is not re- quired by Federal regulations. The regulations permit such privacy invasions, however. The National Council and other local and statewide aged organizations are very much up in arms about the means test and seek its elimination. The issue is emotional. RECOMMENDATIONS 1. The President should announce his intention to abolish the means test immediately or as soon as possible 2. The announcement should be made at a senior citizen cen- ter. 3. The point should be made that fiscal responsibility and compassion for human costs are not incompatible. PROBLEMS The President is sure to be viewed as a johnny-come- lately to the cause of the elderly. Perhaps this is too little too late. His record on Social Security is not a good one in the eyes of the elderly. The Catastrophic Health Program he proposed to Congress imposes tremendous costs on the very group that it should be helping. The Republican platform is not much better. The section on Older Americans is sufficiently vacuous that Mr. Carter might be content to run with it. SUMMARY Inspite of the problems, the proposal to get rid of the means test appears to be an issue which pleases all sides. Naturally, the elderly citizen who no longer has to face the personal ordeal of the test is given some welcome relief. Those senior citizens who had been deterred from using the centers would feel more welcome. Those aged who would not have qualified under the means test but who are suffering from loneliness would have a place to go to make friends. On the other hand, the expanding scope of the bureaucracy would be cut back somewhat with a considerable saving of tax dollars. Here, in an area of great political potential, in an area where Mr. Carter has the lead but primarily through default, is an opportunity to make some political hay while doing an awful lot of real good. is FORD BERALD The Sunday Bulletin (Philadelphia), September 26, 1976, p. 1. The Elderly American: Stranger in a Strange Land We Built You, America!' By NANCY GREENBERG Of the Bulletin Staff Miss Margaret Jane Ryan, a 70-year-old retired English There are 228,000 people over the age of 65 in Phila- teacher living in Philadelphia, is the sort of woman who delphia alone, and perhaps again as many in the city's goes years without getting upset over anything more con- New Jersey and Pennsylvania suburbs. troversial than poor grammar. But one day this summer she was upset and shouting with uncharacteristic fervor: Reporter Nancy Greenberg spent 10 weeks talking with hundreds of these elderly Americans and officials of "Regardless of income, we deserve fun! We should be agencies serving them. allowed to be united in our senior centers as the American states are united But more than this, WE WANT FUN! In this (and two related articles appearing on Page 6 WE DESERVE FUN! WE WANT FUN!" of today's Focus Section) she begins her story of what it Miss Margaret Jane Ryan was not the only one angry. is like to be "old" in contemporary America. Or the only one shouting at members of the State Com- The series will continue in Focus tomorrow. misssion on Aging during a hearing this summer on the Please Turn to Page 4 LIGHT BERALE OFF THE NEW YORK TIMES, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1976 Choice Boiling Down to the Known, as Unknown In St. Louis Suburb With Many Doubtful Voters By JOSEPH LELYVELD local levels-it seemed that the voters much more comparable to that of Mr. Special to The New York Times were not so much choosing Mr. Ford Carter than Mr. Ford ST. LOUIS, Oct.3-As it is viewed as they were rejecting Mr. Carter and Yet the Democrat's promise to apply from Robinwood West-a patch of the promise of change that he offers. management techniques rigorously in Suburbia U.S.A. that, by its appear- "I think the mood in this country a way that would make a difference ance, could be almost anywhere-the is to want to settle down a bit," said generally aroused skepticism among October 13, 1976 Mr. and Mrs. Peter Strauss 946 President Avenue Building 2, Apartment 14 Tom River, New Jersey 08753 Dear Mr. and Mrs. Strauss: Thank you for your recent letter and your concern about the plgght of senior citizens. I have been asked to respond on behalf of the President Ford Committee. President Ford has pledged, to do everything in my power to help our Nation demonstrate by its deeds a deep concern for the dignity and worth of our older persons. By doing so, our Nation will continue to benefit from the contributions that older persons can make to the strengthening of our Nation." Among the top priorities of the Ford Administration are income and health security for older Americans. In his 1976 State of the Union Address, President Ford proposed that Social Security benefits be expanded by the full cost-of-living increase. This benefit became effective on July 1 of this year. To protect the integrity of the Social Security Trust Fund, the President proposed a small increase in both employer and employee social security taxes. This increase would become effective January 1, 1977, and would cost workers a maximum of $1 a week. The President proposed a catastrophic health insurance program to limit the out-of-pocket amount the older Americans must pay for medical and physicians fees each year. President Ford signed the Amendments to the Older Americans Act that delivers coordinated, comprehensive services and meals to the elderly at the community level and enables older persons to live independent lives in their own homes. In addition to these actions, President Ford has made cutting the rate of inflation his top economic goal. The rate of inflation has been cut in half to around 6% from its high of 12.2% in 1976. Thank you once again for your concern and interest. With your help and support, President Ford will be elected President on November 2. Sincerely, is FORD Barbara D. Norris ERALD Director of Correspondence LIBRARY BN:TS Dear Hon. President G. tord senior citizens Sept 1976 and hape you will ans. a personal letter. I am taking time out to unti to you general 8.45a m. We line en a area whe in conduct uith not your staff a lot of semior all citzens. listen to all your speeches ash the same question you never senior metion any thing about the cyters tood who would libe to hear whate you are doing for them is may husband and are 1my husband is and 7am 69. we have taken care of american >5. for we are both here my husband was Pa, and have been working seree , was 14 born in mye. Cerd 3 was born Marthampton year old. for my father did at 38 years. old an and left my wither with 7. ghildren insurance and you know we children it have employment empayment that time so we did have it hard my mother nerer had welfore are food stamps like they to to-day and still complaining the young But the old people are forgettor people + all they think thenb is how bad they have it, } think are young people have to much. and injury come issuy gr for they don it know how-Ihnow hardship Twas sick and we had a help from medcare LIB thanb god with pay in on this (and) pay in all this years since it came out social scurity increase But thank god with have it and they still take out now for the 2 buth know we have it hand. when go to the store to buy any thing I mean food forget the others shings tob between the rent and a can let, ect my rent goes up every time my lease is up 3 mean every years. w e must have a car, g line in south fersey. were wedon't have buses like they do in north Jersey, , mean like brange, Bergen, I could go ord and onl 9 think we line in a last age down here ?? why, (we have a bueatiful people around here cannot get to them shopping malthere but I know laty whate a shame, all this bases standing in school yards doing nothing whate a pity. for ocean county. But election they are all out in force wents section time here (true why )?? 9 know one thing I don it like a democrate party. So will vote for you my husband and my childrens people here who they like and am will vote for you and of ask some sine they will vote for you god. thank 3 I think you will think of us I like help they old people they did take we are thinking you, Please Care of M.S.A. through two world was and all the others, Think they need a though too from you and our party. too. Sorry Idean't give any thing for your compaign for we are short of money and just came out I the hospital g hope? stay well from now on. you just cannot afford to get sick. ? luil try to get notes for you the hest 7 can (sure will try ) here is to 2 votes you can count on. hoping to hear from you sencerely yours Mr. Mrs. Peter Strans 946 president are. Rlg 2014 apt 14 tom Riner, onen 183 Jersey 0875 ones If scuse writing and spelling for it is hand to wrte. when you have so much you want to say but don A know how. thank you for taking my your time for know you are a very busy man. anna Strans a voter hoping to hear from you good lucb and good health to your matay wining the president for next term good lucb for you need it, god bless you stay well and thinks of us, ??? I / Comments Senior Citizens October 12, 1976 David and Vera Lawrence 730 Hamilton Drive Pleasant Hill, CA 94523 Dear Mr. and Mrs. Lawbence: Thank you for sending us your ten suggestions for campaign strategy. You suggestion about citing specific figures in dollars and cents for the cost of government programs was particularly interesting and useful. From the many letters we receive on the subject of campaign strategy, I have singled out yours to share with the Director of Opposition Research. We in the Ford Committee believe in a two-way communication with the voters. Since we highly value original thought, we are currently giving full consideration to your ideas. We really appreciate the time you took to write us. Your interest ane support is encouraging. We look forward to victory in Novem- ber with your help. Sincerely, Barbara D. Norris BDN/krh Director of Correspondence GERALD n FROM 3557 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Suite 23 Lafayette, Ca. 94549 (415)284-1447 or 937-5284 SHERLOCK HOMES 9/18/76 President FoRd camefrat. 1 washington,D.C D.C. REALTY Dear President Ford: my wife + & wanted to drop you a short note with some ideas we think may help you im in Nov. the Following are our suggestions: 1. Have Ron Regan give an hom or two speeds for you and the party plat form just prior to election on prime T.V. time - nationally. IT helped emensely during the Goldwater Campaign 2. Cime the american public some actual examples of the economics involved (in dollars cents) as to how some of the Democratic, or for that matter, any govertiment "programs", are going to effect the average wage earner's purse. most of us are eron omically illiterate -keep it simple. 3. Establish a permanent computer center in wash. D.C. with a tall free 800 phone # that citizens can phone and give their opin ions to on specific weasures of programotisms congress, the executive & judicial brances are proposing let us call you and tell you if we are for or against a proposal. you could even let us suggest new proposals. sorted out by city, county, state, regron, the nation - you folls in Washing fox could get feedback from your emotituants. 4. You should propose a federal law that gives every worker 100% vesting in his retirement plan and that that vesting can more with The worker from tab to tob- Employer to Employer the way they are set up now, the odds of any worker deceiving his vesting or his company refire ment plan are studed against him and the managers of the plans use the funds for political and their our economic gain. They are designed with those high oddo t requirements are such that it is nerer intended for the bulls of the waters to get a co. retirement. at would Sure table a loud off of one social security program. 5, we believe in Rotation in office and feel that if our congress men served 3 years or 4 and our Sevators served yrs 02 5 and our President served 5 or 6 years and each only was permitted one term in office we would see lots of benefits. no one would be in Wash. long enough to forget that a person has to work for a special terest to get their hoohs in to them and living they wouldn T be there long enough for any they wouldn 'T get their "boohs" in to ripping off the public they would be there to do a job and not politic half or three quarters of the five they were in office. We could give politics some prestiges as we would want our best representatives working for us - we might even get some better calibre people to sum for office too 6, as a peal estate broher in amorea county where the average home sello for # 65,000.00 I am concerned for my children being able to buy a home when they bare families. the way it looks now, They probably won T be able to afford one. Ifeel it is time factory built bonsing (with production Line) quality and sarings) be supported by the government. Building codes should be standardized and stream tined and Labor unions convinced of the efficacy of such homes. We still build homes like we built log cabins and the coots are killing us. Palso think the U.S. t state Corts. should free up some of their idle lands in housing short areas that could take factory built homes and lease the ground to the owners at a rate rn mensurate with their incomes. 7. stop the graduated in come tax of all its Poopboles the idea of taking the rich sounds good to the masses of the voters, but all the graduated tab does is present any new people from becoming rich. It in fact protects the old rich who have already accum ulated their capital the toopholes only help the ated rich keep more of the in come their capital base geverates. Page z CO 3557 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Suite 23 Lafayette, Ca. 94549 (415)284-1447 or 937-5284 SHERLOCK HOMES 9/18/76 7. (cont.) Why don't we have a 10% Tax on all personal income? this tax can be paid B quarterly by each person. think of the REALTY money in corporate books keeping, government 6 Book helping, efc. that could be saved. Our in cnue tufferms would be so simple, with no loopholes and the mass of non-groductive RRS agents and bookbeepers could be freed to work at producing some thing. at would also mean that we could have some new rich join the club with the old sich and that competition should be stimulating america used to be a country one came to (as my ancestors did from Canada) to make money Now it seems we are allowed to earn just enough to line on, but never enough to get ahead with because of on graduated Taxes. Either our desire to work and produce and be productive is subrected on us or we be come Tax evaders or wophole Jumpers. 8. Real Estute taxes should not be based on improve ments but on the land and its zoning. By taking improvements, buildings in many areas are not improved or even main tained the idea of taking some one for malsing improvements to their property is counter to all american principals. 25 is Truely a negative tax. We should review all of our Taxes, their purposes, and rense our system so is becomes more positive and productive instead of negative and confiscatory. We need To get away from Social isn and back to capitalism where we can produce capital and enjoy is 9. Carter's proposal of full employment means gives, shovels, or paper in the hands of the un employed as our expense. you might tell us what that planle of lumber will cost us. 10 there ought tobe some way to limit the federal debt or fie it to the federal income and prevent this Tremendous consumption of the american peoples substance. If both the congress X Senate bad to pass by 2/3 majority any in creases, perhaps that would slow things down. the biggest cause of inflation, isn't me buying a car, It's you guys, specialing and giving away our money. If you dou 8 stop, there will be a Taxpayers rebellion If we all stop paying one takes, even for one quarter, you would be in Trouble. Enough of our thoughts. We want you to win in Hov. 76 and we want our individual rights preserved. We want some room to more in and a stop to creeping socialism and collectivism. I'm tired of puying someone elses way besides my our bare never collected unemploy ment, Social security, welfare, etc., but have been paying for these for 20 years or more. a believe that the govern ment can never make another persons demons fration for them - nor can we feed of arm and finance the world. those people of countries must learn to be independant and productive. If they won't change their beliefoxyet new ideas, shew habits after we show them abetter way, then &feel our responsibility is onee to them. God feeds the firds, but he dosen't drop it in their nexts. Our government should not try to take up where Golleanes off. Best of luch to you in hov.- We are behind you the party P.S. the new tab bill has a real rip off in estate takes. that should David + Vera Laurance be a good campaign tool for you. Senior September 20, 1976 litizens Mr. Clifforddh. H. Smith 456 Sophomore Blvd Twin Falls, Idaho 83301 Dear Mr. Smith: Thank you for your recent letter addressing the problems of Older Americans. President Ford has faced these probèèms squarely and has done much to overcome them. Since the President took office, he has rddadddtheezaaeeoff inflation from over 12% in 1974, to around 6% this year. President Ford will continue to lead the fight against inflation while pursuing economic ensure a sound healthy economy. President Ford has requested a cost of living increase in Social Security benefits, and has proposed a new program to alleviate the burdens of catastrophic illness. The Ford Administration has financed andpproposed many programs directed for Older Americans, one of which is the Administ- ration on Aging", a program which provides maals, transport- ation, work, andd legal services. President Ford, has not forgotten America's older citizen; he has a strong committimantto resolving their problems and using their talents. Thank you for your concern and interest and I hppe that President Ford can count on your vote this November. Sincerely, BDN/tse Barbara D. Norris Director of Correspondence LIBRARY GERALD : FORD Clifford H. Smith Older americans 456 Sophomore Blvd. Twin Falls, Idaho 83301 Senior Cityeas complat. strat. Twin Falls, Idaho General August 30, 1976 Committee to Elect "FORD FOR PRESIDENT" The White-House 1600 Penn. Ave. Washington, D.C. 20013 ATTENTION: Director of Campaign Planning and Strategy Gentlemen: SUGGESTION: It is all good and well that you give proper emphasis to the six campaign issues SO recently mentioned in the speech by the Republican Vice-Presidential Nonimee, Senator Bob Dole, but the matter of relief for the AGED (those who have had to retire and live on their 1950 to early 1960's income savings who now find their meager savings wiped away by double-digit inflation) was totally ignored. These people's lifetime savings have now been decreased 50% or more in monetary value and living expenses doubled or tripled. I convey the views of hundreds (yes thousands) of elderly people in this state and nation who are in this positionand who would like to vote a straight Republican tic- ket but probably will not unless the same visible consideration is given to their plight as is being given to unemployment (primarily the young and middle-aged), home ownership, etc. You are "missing the boat" by overlooking the very sizable group of voters in this category that well can spell the difference between victory and defeat. They are going to vote for the Candidates that offer them some hope and help. As yet we have been completely forgotten in the speeches and promises of both President Ford and Sen- ator Dole. Again--this is only a suggestion from the grass- roots but offered because I care and KNOW that it will make a difference. Please try to see that encouragement is given in this direction if you want this vote. Thank you. Yours truly 111 Sophomore Blvd. GREATED C.H.Smith is FORD C. H. SMITH LIBRARY 456 Sr Citizens 8 September 8, 1976 Ma. Karen Thompson Edelman Inc. 2121 BaSalve Street Chicago, Illinois 60601 Dear MisThompson: Thank you for contacting the President Ford Committee. Your interest in the campaign is appreciated. President Ford has pledged "to do everything in my power to help our Nation demonstrate by its deeds a deep concern for the dignity and worth of our older persons. By doing so, our Nation will continue 00 benefit from the contributions that older persons can make to the strengthening of our nation". The enclosed material should help provide you with a clearer understanding of the President's position in this crucial area. Should you need additional information, please fele free to call or write us at any time. Thanks again for yourcopneemnanddiiteresstanddII apologize for the delay in answering your request. Sincerely, ROB QUARTEL Answer Desk Coordinator RQ: tw enclosure FORDO is 076839 LIBRARY Senior citizen September 8, 1976 Mrs. Mary G. Fitzell 7600 North Park Road Baltimore, Maryland 21219 Dear Mrs. Fitzell: Thank you for your very generous contribution to President Ford's campaign. We think that it is commendable when someone sends us a contribution and pledges their support. We think that it is marvelous that a person who is 81 years old is so politically active and supporting of President Ford. It was through the generosity of many Americans, like yourself, that our financial goal was reached. President Ford looks forward to the challenges of the campaign and to the opportunity to serve the American people as President again. He stated in his acceptance speech on August 19, 1976 "While I am President we will build an America where people feel rich in spirit as in worldly goods. We will build an America where people feel proud about themselves and about their country." You have helped us towards our goal financially by your contribution, and can help President Ford by voting for him in November. Thank you once again for your support. Wishing you the best of health in the future. Sincerely, Barbara Norris Director of Correspondence BN/dsp R FORD GERALD Senior Cityen with convender for still being so President Gerald R. Ford $50,00 active c/o The President Ford Committee at P.O. Box 300 Washington, D.C. 20044 81 Dear Mr. President: Yes, I want to be a part of your campaign effort. I believe as you do that 1976 will be a critical election year for America, and I want to see you elected so that you may carry on the programs and policies outlined in your letter. I have contributed diving 1975 to the Reportman national Committee one Bloor and n Enclosed is my/contribution 31 975 misled jor: a chuch is the spra committes for $25. F you 1976 $100 $250 In why ml 2 this paid to your campaign $500 $1,000 (M/rs. (Please print) Rey F.) Mary G Fitzell 99C1 Name Signature Man of Contributor S. Fitzell 7600 north Port Rd, Address Baltimore City Retired maryland State 21219 Zip Code Chich 750 OU inclused Occupation I am past my Blak year inf Place of have Business in very modnets income ms, Please make checks payable to THE PRESIDENT FORD COMMITTEE. Only personal checks may be accepted-corporate contributions are prohibited by law. The President Ford Committee is the only organization, under law, which may raise and spend money in behalf of President Ford's campaign. Individuals are limited to contributions of $1.000-spouses and children over 18 years of age may also contribute up to $1,000. The individual contributor must sign the check or this contribution form. Please return your contribution in the enclosed postage-paid envelope. THE PRESIDENT FORD COMMITTEE. Howard H. Callaway, Chairman. Robert Mosbacher. National Finance Chairman. Robert C. Moot. Treasurer. A copy of our report is filed with the Federal Election Commission and is available for purchase from the Federal Election Commission. Washington. D.C. 20463. If you are a Federal employee or if you have a matter pending before a Federal regulatory commission or a Federal agency. please disregard this appeal. LISAARY GERALD F. FORD Sr. Citizens general September 2, 1976 Mr. Oliver A. Michels 1026 16th Street NW Washington, D.C. 20036 Dear Mr. Michels: Thank you for your interest in President Ford's positions on the problems of the elderly. Enclosed you will find excerpts of the President's remarks addressing your con- cerns. I hope that this will satisfactorily answer your question. Thanks again for your interest. I hope that after consideration of the issues facing the nation you will support the President in November. If we may be of further assistance to to you please do not hesitate to contact us. Sincerely, Rob Quartel Answer Desk Coordinator LIBRARY GERALD R. FORD x Sr citizen August 26, 1976 Ms. Lisette Owens 8671 Cerritos Avenue Stanton, Ca. 90680 Dear Ms. Owens: Thank you for your recent letter expressing support for President Ford. We appreciate your interest ans the concern of individuals like yourself is an invaluable contribution to the campaign. I apologize for the number of times that you have been contacted regarding contributions. Your good wishes and support, however, are actually the greatest contribution that you can personally give to the campaign. Although enthusiasm is an intangible contribution, it nverrtheless, is something, that cannot be measured in dollars andeeents. President Ford is making every effort to improve the security, health and quality of life of older Americans. As the Presidadt has stated: Older Americans continue to enrich our lives with their vision, strength, and experience. They've earned the right to live securely, comfortabley and independantly. Therefore, thePPresidant has proposed increased Social Security and Medicare benefits. In addition, he has signed into law the Employee Retirement Income Security Act as well as the Housing and Community Development Actoof 1974 whath provides for low-interest rates for housing of the elderly. President Ford has done much to combat inflation but looks forward to the next four years during which time he can continue to keep our nation on the road to a bright, more optimistic futur, Thank you again for your support and I hope that President Ford can count on your vote in November. GERAL Sincerely, LIBRARY BDN/fe Barbara D. Norris Director of Correspondence Ms. Lisette Owens y 8671 Cerritos Ave Lisette Owens age 74 Stanton, California Cerretos, 8671 apts,"4 Senior citizens Stanton Ca. 90680 7-8-76 Stantouca. Dear mr president: will maybe you Will never read this, but I'm going to write it anyway. well you ask for money many times, well last week I got a small raise 6.4% which I was very glad for. but before rould get my check Cashed the landlord raised my rent $15,00 now makeing it $160.00 a Mo, now how in the Hell can one Contrif- rate to anything at the rait things are going up daily. there are 6 apt houses in Our midsh, 6 apt in each unit. making 36 apts. giveing each one $1500 raise, now I understand this max own's 3 more Complexes, besides he is a Doctor, now I'm sore any Doctor make's plenty of money and doesnt have to gouge renter's, why can't some protection put on to protect us Senior Citizen's, from getting one raise after another. it takes much more then half of my. check for rent t utilities, I would like to live a little longer of not Starue, I can't sentribute any thing unless I deny my self 7 food. 8/24 August 12, 1976 senior general citizens Irs Nelson Tuck 801 North Breed Street, Apt. 4D Elizabeth, New Jersey 07208 Dhar Mr. Tuck: Thank you for your latter to Mr. Rogers Morton. Iahave been as&ed to reply and want, first to apologize for the delay in answer- ing your letter. We have been swamped with letters and have been makin king every effort to reliy to each one in a meaaingful way. President Fore is,off course, much concerned with the problems of Older Americans. He believes they have made--and must be allowed to continue to make--invaluable contributions to the strenghh, saability, and advancement of our society. As their role increasingly becomes recognized and acknowledged, a provision such as you outline in your letter ter will undoubeedly have to becmme an integral part of future programs designed to enstre the well-being--and the productivity--of our older citizens. SSincerary, ROB QUAREEL Answer Desk Coordinator RQ/cm Senior citizens General August 5, 1976 Mrs. George Reneke Alma, Nebraska 68920 Bar Mrs. Reneke: Thank you so much for your letter of July 7th and your kind words of support and prayers. Even though you cannot send a financial contribution, your loyalty and dedication to the President's cause is a great help to us and we are grateful for it. Thanks againgfor writing and it is good to know the President can count on your support in the months ahead. Sincerely, Barbara D. Norris Director of Correspondence BDN/dm USE GERALD LIBRANA alma Heler, July } 1976 ALMA, NEBR. 68920 President Ford Committee Washington HC. 20044 Dear Friends on Ford Committee 9 have wanted to seed you another contribution But here in alnea seems things are not too good for writing cheeks and 9 was told one man was on trial and is in Jail for 6 months, and ) am alone here and seems folks are on the watch, so 9 do not want to go on trial now at age 91 years But do not here tate to talk to God and am asking his support for our Present Press deet as me need him back in his Office and God can do more than 9 know 9 can, ) do hope you will parden we on this MRS. MR.GEORGERENERE Sincerely. Mrs George penche 18RD 8. LIGRARY P.S. 9 am so sorry alout all this Senior Citizens: general August 4, 1976 Mr. Mike Jimafon American Health Care Assoc. 1200 - 15th Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20005 Dear Mr. Jimafon: Thank you for contacting the President Ford Committee. Your interest in the campaign is appreciated. President Ford is deeply commited to meeting the needs of 6lder Americans. In the area of nursing homes, the President has proposed: - Expending Medicare lisenfiltss by providing coverage for unlimited days of hospital and skilled nursing facility care. - Limiting the out-of-pocket expenses of beneficiaries for for covered services to $500 per year for hospital and skilled nursing services. - The collection of information on nursing homes nation- ally to recommend sound policies to improve and raise the quality of long-term care for the elderly. - Development of a national rating system for nursing homes receiving Medicaid and Medicare funds. I hope this information, and the enclosed material, will help answer most of your questions. Should you need any additional material, please feel free to call or write us at any time. Thank you again for your interest and concern. Sincerely, ROB QUARTEL is Answer Desk FORD Coordinator GERALD RQ:mg LIBRARY Enclosure Pres. Ford Compaign Manager - July 9 1975 plear Ser Listening to the news on radio today prompted me to write this letter. a to brong Service as up Perhaps the following might at be who are suy by and I believe should this for from citizens, be intetled to use "had. of household rates in computingther their income tax I citigen and in November 1974 l received a refly to Emil M. Stanley Jr. associate Wrictor, my letter to the President signed by Uffice of Tax analysis. among other relative , tax burden on different ty per of things it mentioned," formers of the household has been questioned sibce the early days of the income tax". alone has the same expenses ananyother l feel a singh preson living person leasing an apartment or be varing ation. andshould green more consider Thank you for any courting extended. Please bring this to the attention of the President. This Margures Mary Very truly your 105 Inter England Gathz Summit & a Jor901 Senior Citizens Inflation July 27, 1976 Mrs. A. Ibbetson 2923 Queen Avenue West Dearborn Michigan 48124 Dear Mr. Ibbetson: Thank you for your note and your comments on certain issues of interest and great concern to you. We appreciate your sharing your thoughts with us and your opigions have been carefully noted. As senior citizens, your generosity in the past has been an asset to President Ford and he thanks you for all the help you have given. He also shares your concern for inflation and medical costs for our older citizens and has worked to bring relief in these areas for people living on fixed incomes. I am enclosing a pamphlet that might be of interest to you in this area. Thank you again for keeping in touch and it is good to know the President can count on your support in the months ahead. Sincerely, Barbara D. Norris Director of Correspondence BDN/dm Enod. LIBRARY BERALD R. FORD President Ford '76 Club COUNT ME IN AS A MEMBER OF THE PRESIDENT FORD ' 76 CLUB. 1828 L STREET, N.W., SUITE 250, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20036 we get letters from all persons running for the white house for a Yes, I want to support President Ford. Enclosed is my contribution of: $ Hand outs Please print or type MRS. A. IBBETSON 2923 Queen Avenue How about bussing and Mr. Mrs. T W. Dearborn, Mich. 48124 Miss Other Employer Federal Indical Control Name we have allready made a Employ of Address Doctors and Hospitals like Home Address Couple of contributions City Canada, skyrocketing State ofteringcasts Zip caswe a Senior Cotigins on Occupation Retired. inflation Signature of Contributor: fixed Pensions. FOR OFFICE USE ONLY FOR OFFICE USE ONLY FOR so Please make checks payable to: THE PRESIDENT FORD COMMITTEE. Only personal checks THE PRESIDENT report may is filed be FORD with accepted-corporate COMMITTEE. the Federal Election Rogers C.B. Commission Morton, contributions and Chairman, is available Robert for are Mosbacher, purchase prohibited from National the Federal Finance by Election law. Chairman. Federal Commission, Robert C. Washington, Moot. Treasurer. spending D.C. 20463. A copy of A Reminder to Our Contributors President Ford recently signed into law a Tax Reform 2. Take a regular deduction of total annual political Bill which doubles the amount of political contributions contributions up to $100. which can be deducted on your 1976 federal income tax return. A couple filing a joint return has the following options: An individual filing a separate return has the following options: 1. Take a direct tax credit of an amount equal to one- 1. Take a direct tax credit of an amount equal to half total annual political contributions up to $50 or, one-half of total annual political contributions up 2. Take a regular deduction of total annual political to $25 or, contributions up to $200. You may choose whichever one of these methods is most advantageous toyou! No Card Issuesu SENIOR CITIZENS (Genera) July 22, 1976 Mrs. Hazel C. Rouse 7 Highland Avenue Washington, D.C. 15301 Dear Mrs. Rouse: The President has asked that I thank you for your kind letter and words of support. He appreciates your loyalty and dedication, they mean a greea deal to him. Your contribution of helping through your efforts to speak out in his behalf will held his campaign tremendously in the long run. The President believes that older Americans continue to enrich our lives with their vision, strength and experience and that they've earned the right to live securely, comfortably and independently. He is working continu8usly for your benefit and to improve the quality of life for all our senior citizens. Thank you again for writing and it is good to know the President can count on your support in the months ahead. Sincerely, Barbara D. Norris Director of Correspondencee BDN/dm in FORD BERALD LIBRERY Issue - you can count on me. Yes, Mr. President, Highlard ave Washington 15301 Dear Mr. President- d Iam in your corner 100% and in my stairway, but am 73 have a picture of you and I Betty and on small social security so am unable to send any 9901 more contribution - but Ido alot of make it and please begood talking and sure hope you to the old people It's ashame some people have so much, there should be some way to takefrom the old rich and give to the poor I get by, but alot don't Sincerely LIBRA, Hazel Rouse President Gerald R. Ford c/o The President Ford Committee P.O. Box 300 Washington, D.C. 20036 Dear Mr. President: Yes, I want to be a part of your campaign effort. I believe as you do that 1976 will be a critical election year for America, and I want to see you elected so that you may carry on the programs and policies outlined in your letter. Enclosed is my contribution for: $15 $25 $50 $100 $250 $500 $1,000 99H1 Name (Please print) Signature of Contributor Address City State Zip Code Occupation Place of Business Please make checks payable to: THE PRESIDENT FORD COMMITTEE. Only personal checks may be accepted-corporate contributions are prohibited by law. The President Ford Committee is the only organization, under law, which may raise and spend money in behalf of President Ford's campaign. Individuals are limited to contributions of $1,000-spouses and children over 18 years of age may also contribute up to $1,000. The individual contributor must sign the check or this contribution form. Please return your contribution in the enclosed postage-paid envelope. THE PRESIDENT FORD COMMITTEE, Rogers C. B. Morton, Chairman, Robert Mosbacher, National Finance Chairman, Robert C. Moot. Treasurer. A copy of our report is filed with the Federal Election Commission and is available for purchase from the Federal Election Commission. Washington, D.C. 20463. If you are a Federal employee or if you have a matter pending before a Federal regulatory commission or a Federal agency, please disregard this appeal. Support Dear Mr mosbacher: Sering And Thanks for your kind letter of July 1-76. l have alway been 100% for Pres Ford and nelson Rockafiller Proticed in the enclosed letter, Pt says PRent a $50 contribution in 1975, The only contributing was for Pres Ford only. Congressman 2 ander Jagt was very kind in writing me, but 4/76- please distroy lettersetc of July it has been an error, any money from me was for Pres Ford and pent to him. God bless you, President e. ford, yune & Rockefellev. BERALD Sincerely, Thelma LeBaron age 78. July 7, 1976 Mr. George L. Bertrand 348 W. Clackamas Circle Woodburn, Oregon 97071 Dear Mr. Bertrand: Thank you for your letter of May 17th to the President Ford Committee regarding the President's policies on senior citizens and retired federal employees. In charging false advertising, you seem to dismiss the in- creased Social Security tax which has no other purpose than to insure prompt payments to the elderly who are entitled to such benefits; catastrophic illness protection which is essential to elder citizens; and other programs designed specifically to aid older Americans. These are substantial programs deserving of support. With regard to the President's policy toward retired Federal employees, I think that your concern is understandable; but you should in your own interest look at the larger picture. This country has been in a serious recession in which the inflation rate at one point hit over 12%. Such a drastic inflation hurts the very people with whom you identify. The President has tar- geted inflation as the major ill of the economy and adopted a budget plan accordingly. As a result, inflation has been cut in half. There are many older Americans who do not come under any cost-of-living escalator, and their interests are protected by the President's courageous stand on budget issues. If you con- sider these facts, I think that you will find that not only has there been no false advertising; but there has been some failure to adequately communicate the President's accompliahments. Thank you for your thoughtful letter. We appreciate your taking the time to write to us. Sincerely, ROB QUARTEL Answer Desk Coordinator RQ/1jp of 1880 July 2, 1976 Ms. Virginia R. Fiess Catholic Social Services 222 North Seventeenth Street Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103 Dear Ms. Fiess: Thank you for your recent letter requesting information on what Presi- dent Ford has done to help older Americans. We appreciate your interest in this subject which is of particular concern to the President. The President is firmly committed to meeting the needs of older Americans as well as draw- ing on their strengths in resolving the problems facing America. His recom- mendations in this area attest to that fact. President Ford has noted that the single greatest threat to the quality of life of older Americans is inflation. In light of this, in his budget request for fiscal 1977, the President has requested a full cost of living increase in Social Security benefits that will help bolster the purchasing power of 32 million older Americans. Likewise, the President signed a $22.8 billion dollar anti-recession tax cut bill that included payment of $50 each to some 34 million individuals receiving Social Security, Railroad Retirement, and Supplemental Security Income benefits. In addition, families caring for elderly persons were benefitted by a liberalization of the tax re- duction rules. Additionally, President Ford has signed the Housing and Community De- velopment Act of 1974, which, among other things, provides for subsidizing housing for low income renters and authorizes direct, low-interest loans for housing for the elderly. The President has also signed into law Title XX of the Social Security Act which provides 2.5 billion dollars to the states for social services. Under Title XX, older persons will receive increased services, planned and implemented by state and local governments. Lastly, President Ford has supported the concept of the Older Americans Act since its inception in 1965. This past November, the President strength- ened the Act when he signed into law amendments creating new services and goals. Under President Ford's administration, $272 million - almost seven times the amount available three years earlier - went to this program. Through the Administration on Aging, created by this Act, a national network on aging composed of state, area and nutrition agencies has been established. As an example of what the Act does, nutrition agencies serve older persons over 300,000 hot meals a day, five days a week at 5,000 locations. R. GERALE FORD LIBRARY Ms. Virginia R. Fiess - 2 7/2/76 These are but a few of the many proposals that the President has put forth in an effort to help America's older citizens. I hope that this information has been of interest to you, but please feel free to contact us if any further problems arise. Thank you again, and I hope that President Ford can count on your support in the months ahead. Sincerely, Barbara D. Norris Director of Correspondence is GEBALE FORD ARCHDIOCESE OF CATHOLIC SOCIAL SERVICES 222 NORTH SEvENTEENTH STREET PHILADELPHIA, 19103 - (215) 587-3500 June 11, 1976 President Ford Reelection Committee Washington, D.C. Dear President Ford: As one who works with the elderly I am interested in knowing what the Presidents plans are for those over 65. Please send me any information on his plans for older adults in the new term of office. Thank you very much. Sincerely, Ms. Virginia R. Fiess BERALD R. FORD ABOUT BARTON S. MITCHELL BALTIMORE, MD. June 8, 1976 Mr. Robert Mosbacher, Finance Chairman President Ford Committee 1828 L Street, N.W., Suite 250 Washington, D. C. 20036 Dear Mr. Mosbacher: As a supporter of President Ford I am writing to make a suggestion. Other than the fact that I have been listening to enough campaign rhetoric to last a lifetime, I don't feel that the message is getting out to the people as to what the President's real accomplishments have been in what is coming up on two years that he has been in office. In my opinion, his actions in vetoing the deluge of spending bills that the giveaway Democratic Congress has showered on the White House is the key element in the fact that it is pretty generally agreed that the economy is on its way to recovery. This is certainly a generalization, but with the resources at your disposal it seems to me that a nationwide, state by state, campaign effort should contain such a thrust in all the media. Other areas of domestic and foreign affairs certainly can show similar accomplishments. I guess what I really am saying is that all the other candidates in both parties are spending a lot of money and a lot of time letting the people know what they think has not been accomplished. I don't get the impression that the Ford Campaign is getting the message across as to what has been accomplished. Maybe it is in your strategy to lay back. If it is I hope you are right in doing so because you have to get past Reagan. The President came in to office under extremely difficult circumstances and in my opinion he has handled himself very well since that time. He deserves the opportunity to serve a full term. R. GERALD FURD BARTON S. MITCHELL BALTIMORE, MD. (2) But if he is going to get that op portunity, his campaign is going to have to get it for him by letting the people know what has been accomplished and what can be accomplished by continuation of existing programs and policies. It is certainly true that there are tremendous tangible and intangible benefits in waging a campaign of the incumbent. It seems to me however, that the opposition is more determined than ever. And the media is no less zealous in their interest in criticizing everything that any- body tries to do. This is what you have to overcome and I sincerely hope you will give it the maximum effort. Sincerely, Barton S. Mitchell BSM:mce P. O. Box 2799 Baltimore, Md. 21225 R. GERATE FORD Senior Citizens : general June 14, 1976 Mrs. Lula C. Cox 231 Bibb Street Freskegee Institute Alabama 35088 Dear Mrs. Cox: My sincere apology for having taken so long to respond. Encleeed is a pamphlet regarding President Ford's plans for helping older Americans and retired persons. I hope it answers all of your questions. If not, please feel free to write us again. Sincerely, ROB QUARTEL Answer Desk Coordinator RQ:mm enclosure LIBRARY GERALD $ . FORD Senior Citizens: general "I 4 June 14, 1976 Mr. Lloyd Richardson 9250 East Marginal Way Seattle, Washington 98108 Dear Mr. Richhrdson: Thank you for your recentglètter to Rogers Morton and for taking the time to share your thoughts with the PresidentFoord Committee. 05 I have enclssed a brochure containing President Ford's views and programs for our country's older persons. After reading it, I think you will soon learn of President Ford's deep concern for our nation's senior citizens. You may be assured that he has your best interests in mind anddheart as he formulates policy on behalf of older Americans. We appretiate your affirmation of support for President Ford. I hope that he may continue to enjoy your confidence in the months to come. Sincerely, Barbara Norris Director of Correspondence BN/alm LIBRARY GERALD = FORD) President Ford Cominitte Rogers morton Llayd Richardson 1828-L-ST n.w. swite 250 9250-E-MarginalWay Washington D.C. 20036 Seattle Wash 98108 I don't believe Ronald Regan Can be Elected President of the U.S. until he satisfactorally explains his present and future attitude on all Pensions. The people of California may have forgotten best while he was Governor he had them in terrible fear, (of I am not mistaken) he especially the old people when took Indirectly took Pension moneys them when many complained forced the Relatives to support away from the old people and they didn't have enough for themselves. to most of the people time his action meant that he I talked to in California at that would go back to the no Pension the was against all Pensions and County Boor Farm" days for old people & believe if he dont- answersitnow the democrate will use it against him in the General Election Campaigne, The people also blamed Regan for not paying his state and Federal Income Taxes and Vetoing a Bill to Institute witholding on the already tax, this would have save the existing California state Income state of California millions of Dollarsin Interest paid to the Banks on money borrowed to pay moneys canal in at the end afthhyear state expenses until the tax adding to the already high state debt. By finally signing this Bill under pressure and Indirectly away from the old people he cutting takeing pension money took credit for balancesing the Budget and paying the Debt. being able to get a Job because Being an Independent and not of my age and not too far from netirementIon concerned. do you havea sob for me? them the May 3, 1976 Mr. John E. Barnes P.O. Box 344 Albion, New York 14411 Dear Mr. Barnes: Thank you for your letter offering your support to the President's campaign efforts. I have been asked to respond on behalf of the President Ford Committee. First, I would like to apologize for taking so long to answer. We have, as you know, been very swamped with primaries lately! You mentioned the importance of the elderly citizens of this country. Certainly you are right. Mr. Ford has taken steps this year to insure that the Social Security Trust Fund remains on sound financial ground. Also the President has proposed the expansion of Medicare benefits to protect senior citizens from the catastrophic costs of complex or extended medical care and treatment. Those eligible for Medicare would pay only 10 percent of the cost of hospital or nursing home care but would never pay more than $500 per year. Similarly doctor's services would be limited to $250 or 20 percent whichever is less. I think that you will agtee that both of these measures are designed to pro- tect the interests of this country's senior citizens. Again, thank you for your interest and support in the President's campaign. We very much appreciate your thoughtful domments and would be pleased to hear from you again. Sincerely, ROB QUARTEL Answer Desk Coordinator FORD RQ:mm GERALD LIBRARY of April 28, 1976 Mr. William L. Wessels Blue Mountain Lake New York, New York 12812 Dear Mr. Wessels: ThanRresident has asked me to thank you so much for your letter of March 17th and your generous contribution to his campaign. We appeeciate your support and help, you are to be commended for sharing part of your limited income to assist the President. Enclosed is a certificate of our appreciation for your generosity. Thanks again for your kind words. Sincerely, Barbara D. Norris Director of Correspondence BDN/dm Encl. LIBRARY BERALD $ FORD WILLIAM L. WESSELS ADVERTISING - PUBLICITY - AUTHOR ADIRONDACKS - NEW YORK STATE ADDRESS BLUE MOUNTAIN LAKE NEW YORK 12812 Senior 15- TEL. 352-7772 cityin March 1-1976, Dear President fork! heres in letul mad your 12-R1- comple- letter with Healy yound ceint hue in floula.- a Jea close most md lest christon H 15=00 to help along the joot cause I ala retand at age B2 and my excelles is Soliyton Bouls the stock tou and ends Bond savings Stis a Sa 33h - To met mut Sincerely pr April 27, 1976 Mr. James H. Coate 6833 S.E. Pine Court Portland, Oregon 97215 Dear Mr. Coate, We thank you for your recent letter to President Ford. The President is well aware of the difficulties that you experience in trying to meet the financial pressures of today's living. The contributions you can make to his campaign are not measured solely by money. Your loyalty, interest, and ideas are invaluable to the President and your support is a real asset. Please know that we are all wympathetic to the pressures that taxes crewte for people, especially for senior American citizens. The President continues to seek the best solutions to our complex problems. Thanks again for your letter. Sincerely, Barbara D. Norris Director of Correspondence BDN/bw LIBRARY BERALD 1. FORM I will be 89 on 6/1/76. my wonderful ill 6 wife for 64 + years wasteriously far the years SR. citizen JAMES H. COATE 6833 S.E. PINE COURT PORTLAND, OREGON 97215 mar 31 1976 Dear President and. Do we need to reply to this 3 yours of march 25th returns since 1917 but have been making Income Tax never I hane had on as 1975 problems as have since propared my Income returns arthur young Co and predecessors not to make a rough estimate be able 1938 beet me they will of amount of amount tax I will have due pay on 4/15 prior to 4/90210 to changes effective on TS. wife's death 9/6/74 and income on accounty mydell tear providing for marital Trush being seh up for our three FFB children ages 58-61-64 I am deferring any commitments LIBA on everything until I know how much $ hape to borraw on 414 If you do not hear from me be 4/18 remindmedgain. quite Juse can do something James H. Coate April 19, 1976 Mr. J.J. Chambers, Jr. 825 Anchor Drive, Box 1222 Forked River, N.J. 08731 Dear Mr. Chambers: We sincerely appreciate your letter of March 12. Peease be assured that President Ford is symphahetic to your problems and those of all senior citizens. The President has stressed repeatedly his belief that the single greatest threat to the quality of life of older citizens is inflation. Thus, his chied economic priority has been to fight inflation--the double digit inflation of 1974 has been cut nearly in half at this point. Ih his recent State of the Union Message, the President proposed a full cost of living increase in Social Security benefits payments which if passed, should be of help to you. In his tax package, President Ford signed legislation to extend the 1975 tax cut; recommended an increase in the personal exemption from $750 to $1,000 and substitution of a single standard deduction--$2,500 for couples filing jointly--for the existing low income allowance and percentage standard deduction. And, in a major new program to aid senior citizens, President Ford has proposed extending Medicate benefits by providing coverage for unlimitédgdage of hospital and skilled nursing care for beneficiaries and limiting the out-of-pocket expenses for veneficiaries for covered services to $500 per year for hospital and skilled nursing care and $250 per year for non-institutional medical services. Again, we appreciate your letter and are hopetifil of your support. 2. Sincerely, GERALE FORD ROB QUARTEL LISEARY Answer Desk Coordinator RQ:mm enclosures older Senior Cityens April 6, 1976 Mrs. Frances Harding 1416 South 6th Street Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19147 Dear Mrs. Harding, Your letter to President Ford has been received and your ideas and concerns duly noted. He is grateful that you have taken the time to advise him of your concerns. The voice of the Senior Citizen is of vital importance and must be heard. Hopefully, the enclosed leaflet will be helpful in answering some of your questions in this regard. Please know that the President is well aware of the difficulties that you, particularly, experience in trying to meet the financial pressures of today's living. The greatest contribution you can make to this campaign is not measured by money. Your loyalty, interest, and ideas will be your most valued support in the months ahead. President Ford at the same time, is giving careful consideration to your views and continues to seek the best solutions to your complex problems. Thank you again for your letter. Sincerely, Robert H. Marik Deputy Chairman for Administration FORD LIBRARY is 076930 NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION Presidential Libraries Withdrawal Sheet WITHDRAWAL ID 04722 REASON FOR WITHDRAWAL Donor restriction TYPE OF MATERIAL Letter CREATOR'S NAME Mrs. Frances Harding RECEIVER'S NAME Gerald Ford DESCRIPTION personal/financial CREATION DATE 03/08/1976 COLLECTION/SERIES/FOLDER ID 003403455 COLLECTION TITLE PRESIDENT FORD COMMITTEE CAMPAIGN RECORDS BOX NUMBER B82 FOLDER TITLE Senior Citizens (1) - (2) DATE WITHDRAWN 04/15/1992 WITHDRAWING ARCHIVIST LET finior older Clyen April 6, 1976 Miss Florence L. Long 111 20th Street #525 Rock Island, Illinois 61201 Dear Miss Long, Your letter to President Ford has been received and your ideas and concerns duly noted. He is grateful that you have taken the time to advise him of your concerns. The voice of the Senior Citizen is of vital importance and must be heard. Hopefully, the enclosed leaflet will be helpful in answering some of your questions in this regard. Please know that the President is well aware of the difficulties that you, particularly, experience in trying to meet the financial pressures of today's living. The greatest contribution you can make to this campaign is not measured by money. Your loyalty, interest, and ideas will be your most valued support in the months ahead. President Ford at the same time, is giving careful consideration to your views and continues to seek the best solutions to your complex problems. Thank you again for your letter. Sincerely, Robert H. Marik Deputy Chairman for Administration FORD is LIBRARY 67V838 NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION Presidential Libraries Withdrawal Sheet WITHDRAWAL ID 04723 REASON FOR WITHDRAWAL Donor restriction TYPE OF MATERIAL Letter CREATOR'S NAME Miss. Florence Long RECEIVER'S NAME Gerald Ford DESCRIPTION personal/financial CREATION DATE 03/18/1976 COLLECTION/SERIES/FOLDER ID 003403455 COLLECTION TITLE PRESIDENT FORD COMMITTEE CAMPAIGN RECORDS BOX NUMBER B82 FOLDER TITLE Senior Citizens (1) - (2) NEW LOCATION Donor Restriction Closed File DATE WITHDRAWN 04/15/1992 WITHDRAWING ARCHIVIST Leesa E. Tobin KNOWN DUPLICATES No Yellow older Senior Cetizens Senior citizens April 6, 1976 Mrs. Herman Glienke Route 1 Alta, Iowa 51002 Dear Mrs. Glienke, Your letter to President Ford has been received and your ideas and concerns duly noted. He is grateful that you have taken the time to advise him of your concerns. The voice of the Senior Citizen is of vital importance and must be heard. Hopefully, the enclosed leaflet will be helpful in answering some of your questions in this regard. Please know that the President is well aware of the difficulties that you, particularly, experience in trying to meet the financial pressures of today's living. The greatest contribution you can make to this campaign is not measured by money. Your loyalty, interest, and ideas will be your most valued support in the months ahead. President Ford at the same time, is giving careful consideration to your views and continues to seek the best solutions to your complex problems. Thank you again for your letter. Sincerely, Robert H. Marik Deputy Chairman for Administration FORD is LIBRARY BERALD alta Iowa march 7th 1976 Dear President mr. Fard long Life and Atis Blessings for your and may our God and Gard grant you all those that work together you look work has our President, and may you to God for guidance and help as you perform your duties, every Sunday Morning all Government afficials G asking our Father say a Prayer for you Mr. President and kgr in Heaven to lead you in Ais Atis ways, and unes america, this our States of that our Lard may Red protecting Hand Bicentermial america at the Please read the Booklet I'm inclusing, "Our mr. Graham explains what I'd like to write wards, just want to add, american People about but I'm not good at finding the right and Government turn back to God our The future does not look bright but dark Saviar Jesus Christ, so much Crime and murder and then they get 2 over again, those that kill others should also away with it and go and do the same thing be fut to death and not let them run loose, read about this in the soluly Bible mathew 26,V. 51,52,53, we does it come about Women want to rule the Unemployment is also not good and how fied with the Husband earns, Country, work that what from home, are not patis- good care of the Children instead Nof leaving their God given duty is in the home to take for their stusbard and leave the other jobs them with & Baby sitter, cook a good meal for the men, if People would read the Bible Proverbs for home Life and Exclesiates about tells us through the Praphet malachi chafter Table and Trust God above all things, God King Saleman for Government and then Fear 3 how He will Bless us if we listen Him, rest our tired badies, go to Gods House We are to keep the Sabath Day Holy and R and listen to stis Ward, instead many People a and forget that all defends on Gods Blassing work all day Sunday to make more Money money for Camfaigning and that seems un- and now mr. President you are asking for year we to pay made Jaxes, there has to me, we say Jases and every to be a limit to that all Washington should learn how to pare the edjenses instead of all the trips to other Countries you should look after things here and Farmers go broke then who shall feed all with the Farmers a little more if the half Jen to our Country, it has Haffened in Bible the city People, we better not say this can not the Mar, those People had farsaken the Lard time and also to Germany during and after and God punished them and we are not any better, if me do not repent from our now mr. President l suppose this my punish us. ask God to forgive us scribbling will just land in the Waste 4 Paper basket, l know that l can not write wrote to me l feel like owe you a few a serfectly warded letter, l but beings you sooner, futting off my letter lines I'm I kept that it I did because answer of 76 or 77 in afril God willing to let me live writting ambition is failing me at my age l have lined under Gods protection and that long, my now departed Husband and Blessing for 52 years, Blessed with 10 healthy hard work but with our Gards help we Children, later with 41 Grand children a lot of made it, there still is a lat to do with Letters Donations to help the foor and needy in this arriving sometimes 3in a day asking for wide World of vurs, st try to half them in a Relief. little way, and also by Latheran World Peep me as long as God lets me line and in good mind S will keep on Praying for you and our Country, Sincerely Mrs. Herman Shienpe LIBRARY R/ Alta I owa 51002 Senior Citizens: general Issues April 6, 1976 Mr. Elwood Allison 1115 El Centro Avenue Oakland, California 94602 Dear Mr. Allison: Thank you very much for your recent comments on the status of older Americans throughout the country. Letters such as yours provide those of us at the President Ford Committee, an excellent guage of public opinion. a President Ford shares your concern with the quality of life for the elderly in America. In a recent special message do Congress, the President asked Congress to "help our Nation demonstrate by its deeds a deep concern for the dignity and workh of our older persons." He feels the single greatest threat to the quality of life of older Americans is inflation. Consequently, the President's 1977 budget requests include a full cost of living increase in Social Security benefits, that will help bolster the purchasing power of 32 million older Americans. In a major new program to alleviate the burden of catastrophic illness the President proposes extending medicare benefits by providing coverage for unlimited days of hospital and skilled nursing facility care for beneficiaries as well as placing limits on the out of pocket expenses of beneficiaries for covered services. Under President Ford's administration $272 million, almost seven times the amount available three years earlier, has been spent on programs authorized by the older Americans Act. In November of 1975 the President signed into law amendments to the Act designed to strengthen the current program and to create even more services. We hope these actions, and others which the President has taken and will continue to take on behalf of older Americans, demonstrate his concern. We also hope that these actions merit your approval and FORD support in the upcoming election. GERALD LIBRARY Thanks again for your comments. Sincerely, Robert H. Marik Deputy Chairman for Administration GERALD R. FORD WASHINGTON February 16, 1976 Mr. E. Allison 1115 El Centro Ave Oakland, California 94602 Dear Mr. Allison: In the past, you have generously supported the Republican party and its candidates for office. Today, I am writing to ask for your support for my own campaign. Let me try to set forth what I believe can be accom- plished with your help and that of other concerned Americans. As I see it, our country 17 months ago began an experience that was unique in the history cf our de- mocracy: we transferred the reins of the highest office in the land to a man chosen for that office under the 25th Amendment to the Constitution. The country was facing one of its sternest tests. Bitterness, rancor and distrust festered in the body politic. The longest, most divisive war in our history was winding toward an unhappy conclusion, and many feared that the end of an external war would mean the beginning of an internal war of recriminations. And finally, our economy was afflicted with the disease of inflation -- inflation so serious that it would ultimately drive us into the worst recession in a generation. Clearly, there were great challenges both for me and for the Nation. I have tried during these months to give my very best to the American people and to the causes which we hold dear as a Nation. I lay no claim to perfection; much remains to be done. But the hemorrhaging has been stopped, and the process of healing has begun. Our spir- itual and economic health is returning. The moment has now come, I believe, when we can be- gin to look ahead once again -- to envision the America we would like to see during our third century as a Nation and to formulate concrete programs that will make our dreams come true. Our Bicentennial should be more than a year of brass bands and birthday banners; it should be a year when we choose a fresh, positive course for ourselves and for our children. A copy of our report is filed with the Federal Elections Commission and is available for purchase from the Federal Elections Commission, Washington, D.C. Absolutely no taxpayers' funds have been used in the preparation or mailing of this correspondence. February 16, 1976 Mr. E. Allison As President, I want to build upon the progress of the past by charting and guiding the Nation toward a brighter future. I am pledged first and foremost to bringing a renaissance of the individual in our society. I want to reverse the flow of power to centralized government and to give people more power over their own lives. I am con- vinced that personal satisfaction and happiness can only be achieved in America when individual citizens have the free- dom and the ability to determine their own destinies. I am also pledged to strengthening the spiritual and moral values in our country. We have to restore a greater sense of meaning to our lives. Finally, I am pledged to keeping America strong in the world -- strong in its economy, strong in its military power, strong in its commitment to liberty. Freedom is endangered across the globe; now, even more than in Lincoln's day, America is truly "the last, best hope of earth. " During the course of the year, I will be setting forth many concrete proposals to start us down this road. I will ask that we cut both taxes and Federal spending. I will press once again for stronger legislation to promote energy independence. I will advocate reductions in governmental regulation. I will seek to create new jobs and reduce in- flation through a variety of steps, including greater capi- tal formation. I will seek changes in the structure of government so that the government is more effective, more honest, and more responsive to the needs of the American people. Some of these programs were spelled out in my recent State of the Union Address; others will be included in forthcoming messages and speeches. This will be a positive, substantive agenda, but let us always recognize a singular truth: policy proncuncements can only be translated into reality when they have the active support of the American people. That is why I am turning to you for help -- financial help that is needed to make my cam- paign a success and to set the country on a better course for the future. I hope that you will join me. I believe in America and I believe that when Americans work together, there is almost nothing we cannot accomplish. Let this be the year when we rekindle the Spirit of '76, and let us work together to make the Bicentennial a fitting cele- bration for America. Sincerely, Herald R. Ford Gerald R. Ford Monday, March 8, 1976 пов Dear President Ford! Broching I om not prepared to support you until youindicate some concrete evidence to assist older citizens to have health care, a sound social security program a proper Ronest welfare program. Ido not see any honest reason for our senators and representatives being allowed to increase then salaries now or any later time, expeceally since we have inflation and many, many y our people going without food and proper medical care. you have not done or recommended a health care program for older citizens at any time during your term of office, even though this need has been recognized and talked about for over 10 years. you have recommended a plan which penalizes the olda people, while you and the senators and representative have health care provided, free of charge, in any y our armed forres hospital, in the land. Is they honest and fair to the older people, Don't you feet the older citizens are entilled to care as much BERALE there government employees LIBRARY you have done nothing, Bor have you recommended anything that will make social security safe and fair for older people, while at the same time you have provided yourselves with good reterement incomes 20 their fair and honeat? are not our cetegently, old, retulled to something for then old age? you government officials have seen to it to provide for yourselves, while some of the older persons are completely neglected. Ibelieve in america,too, and feel there are many wonderful advantages in america and have spent several years of my life in working for the frinciples of our land. In this letter, there is not one single statement regarding social security, health care and a determined change of food stomps or welfare. Sets take a definite stand and speak forward with honesty and faires Sincerely, Elwood alleson & LIBRARY GERALD FUND older April 6, 1976 Mr. and Mrs. L. Scharffer 7551 Beech Avenue Hammond, Indiana 46324 Dear Mr. and Mrs. Schaeffer, Your letter to President Ford has been received and your ideas and concerns duly noted. He is grateful that you have taken the time to advise him of your concerns. The voice of the Senior Citizen is of vital importance and must be heard. Hopefully, the enclosed leaflet will be helpful in answering some of your questions in this regard. Please know that the President is well aware of the difficulties that you, particularly, experience in trying to meet the financial pressures of today's living. The greatest contribution you can make to this campaign is not measured by money. Your loyalty, interest, and ideas will be your most valued support in the months ahead. President Ford at the same time, is giving careful consideration to your views and continues to seek the best solutions to your complex problems. Thank you again for your letter. Sincerely, Robert H. Marik Deputy Chairman for Administration LIBRARY GERALD ? FORD arer at mar. 8, / 976 10 Dear mr. jasw President. of bus of ad viso We would like very much to he alle to help with your campaign and the Pepublican Party but we are on Social Security only and it is very hard to keep our bills paid and buy groceries, and try to maintain ald our home It seems like the money spent fitter for parks, money sent overseas could he put toa use here me our own country for the elderly of the Willities are permitted to get increases all the time, we dont see how many, many people our age care keep on tig it takes for these, we going The units, is to huld heat more places extra to line and like are supposed to conserve. We sit around with swaters on, Hankets orer our fut and ligs, close off rooms to try to consense heating costs. W by cant something he done about Whilities things? for The aged need help and more needy help could have special rates for 7551Buchare Hammond Ind my Respectfully mrs I Schaffer 46324 February 16, 1976 Mr. E Mrs. L. Schaeffer 755 Beach are Harmond Ind 46324 As President, I want to build upon the progress of the past by charting and guiding the Nation toward a brighter future. I am pledged first and foremost to bringing a renaissance of the individual in our society. I want to reverse the flow of power to centralized government and to give people more power over their own lives. I am con- vinced that personal satisfaction and happiness can only be achieved in America when individual citizens have the free- dom and the ability to determine their own destinies. I am also pledged to strengthening the spiritual and moral values in our country. We have to restore a greater sense of meaning to our lives. Finally, I am pledged to keeping America strong in the world -- strong in its economy, strong in its military power, strong in its commitment to liberty. Freedom is endangered across the globe; now, even more than in Lincoln's day, America is truly "the last, best hope of earth. " During the course of the year, I will be setting forth many concrete proposals to start us down this road. I will ask that we cut both taxes and Federal spending. I will press once again for stronger legislation to promote energy independence. I will advocate reductions in governmental regulation. I will seek to create new jobs and reduce in- flation through a variety of steps, including greater capi- tal formation. I will seek changes in the structure of government so that the government is more effective, more honest, and more responsive to the needs of the American people. Some of these programs were spelled out in my recent State of the Union Address; others will be included in forthcoming messages and speeches. This will be a positive, substantive agenda, but let us always recognize a singular truth: policy proncuncements can only be translated into reality when they have the active support of the American people. That is why I am turning to you for help -- financial help that is needed to make my cam- paign a success and to set the country on a better course for the future. I hope that you will join me. I believe in America and I believe that when Americans work together, there is almost nothing we cannot accomplish. Let this be the year when we rekindle the Spirit of 176, and let us work together to make the Bicentennial a fitting cele- bration for America. Herald Sincerely, R. Ford Gerald R. Ford Senior older Citizens - April 6, 1976 Mr. F.E. Forster 126 Pemugwood Avenue Roosevelt, New York 11575 Dear Mr. Forster, Your letter to President Ford has been received and your ideas and concerns duly noted. He is grateful that you have taken the time to advise him of your concerns. The voice of the Senior Citizen is of vital importance and must be heard. Hopefully, the enclosed leaflet will be helpful in answering some of your questions in this regard. Please know that the President is well aware of the difficulties that you, particularly, experience in trying to meet the financial pressures of today's living. The greatest contribution you can make to this campaign is not measured by money. Your loyalty, interest, and ideas will be your most valued support in the months ahead. President Ford at the same time, is giving careful consideration to your views and continues to seek the best solutions to your complex problems. Thank you again for your letter. Sincerely, Robert H. Marik Deputy Chairman for Administration is FORD GERALD LIDRARY President Gerald R. Ford c/o The President Ford Committee P.O. Box 300 Washington, D.C. 20044 Dear Mr. President: Yes, I want to be a part of your campaign effort. I believe as you do that 1976 will be a critical election year for America, and I want to see you elected so that you may carry on the programs and policies outlined in your letter. Enclosed is my contribution for: $15 $25 $50 $100 $250 $500 $1,000 Name (Please print) F, FORSTER - Unfortunality of can not help finangsly 99F1 Signature of Contributor any more - except that of will help to Address font a good word in for over President so City that all our friends State willvote for him Zip Code - Sincerely your Place n. of Business E, Forater 126 Chase Occupation Roosevelt, n.y 11575 Please make checks payable to: THE PRESIDENT FORD COMMITTEE. Only personal checks may be accepted-corporate contributions are prohibited by law. The President Ford Committee is the only organization, under law, which may raise and spend money in behalf of President Ford's nomination. Individuals are limited to contributions of $1,000-spouses and children over 18 years of age may also contribute up to $1,000. The individual contributor must sign the check or this contribution form. Please return your contribution in the enclosed postage-paid envelope. THE PRESIDENT FORD COMMITTEE. Howard H. Callaway, Chairman. Robert Mosbacher, National Finance Chairman. Robert C. Moot, Treasurer. A copy of our report is filed with the Federal Election Commission and is available for purchase from the Federal Election Commission. Washington, D.C. 20463. RD please disregard this appeal. If you are a Federal employee or if you have a matter pending before a Federal regulatory commission or a Federal GENLUB agency, GE Yes, Mr. President, you can count on me. Older Senior Cityer April 6, 1976 Mrs. C.V. Bates 1015 Christie Avenue Princeton, West Virginia 24740 Dear Mrs. Bates, Your letter to President Ford has been received and your ideas and concerns duly noted. He is grateful that you have taken the time to advise him of your concerns. The voice of the Senior Citizen is of vital importance and must be heard. Hopefully, the enclosed leaflet will be helpful in answering some of your questions in this regard. Please know that the President is well aware of the difficulties that you, particularly, experience in trying to meet the financial pressures of today's living. The greatest contribution you can make to this campaign is not measured by money. Your loyalty, interest, and ideas will be your most valued support in the months ahead. President Ford at the same time, is giving careful consideration to your views and continues to seek the best solutions to your complex problems. Thank you again for your letter. Sincerely, Robert H. Marik Deputy Chairman for Administration LISEARY BERALD 16. FORD have been married 48 years this I 1st Its. a sad time for me we would Marche th, But me have always tried me cover, I am here alone to support the Republicon P und arty can us noth enen get cont without one of my to Dr full from the spine giving away daughter or don in law helping Inc the on me 1974, but I am enclosing marry cant like Rend as much as I would like an offering my due to as cricumstmons much ns I to, first help what 2 can MD me. CVB ates Important Reminder March 10,1976 The President Ford Committee will not be soliciting funds in the period after the Republican National Convention, inasmuch as funds will be provided under the new Federal Elections Campaign Act. That is why it is important that you support President Ford today. Under the new election law, the Republican National Committee is the only committee allowed to spend up to $3,300,000 in direct support of and in consultation with the Republican nominee for President. In addition, the RNC plans to actively support Republican candidates for the House of Representatives, the U.S. Senate and for candidates for Governor. Accordingly, we feel it is vitally important that you financially support the RNC in addition to your financial support of the President Ford Committee. Thank you. June 18,1975 over Give "cirnificate" GERALD R. FORD He Think zan WASHINGTON Job and your being the have done h fine a Christian in Lond pleases me deressed Mr. mrs W C. February 16, 1976 I Merch yam V. Bates Published by Ren Rey testimony in Insight 1015 Christie Ave Princeton, West Virginia 24740 Dear Mr. Bates: in akron Humbard Ohio In the past, you have generously supported the Republican party and its candidates for office. Today, I am writing to ask for your support for my own campaign. Let me try to set forth what I believe can be accom- plished with your help and that of other concerned Americans. As I see it, our country 17 months ago began an experience that was unique in the history of our de- mocracy: we transferred the reins of the highest office in the land to a man chosen for that office under the 25th Amendment to the Constitution. The country was facing one of its sternest tests. Bitterness, rancor and distrust festered in the body politic. The longest, most divisive war in our history was winding toward an unhappy conclusion, and many feared that the end of an external war would mean the beginning of an internal war of recriminations. And finally, our economy was afflicted with the disease of inflation -- inflation so serious that it would ultimately drive us into the worst recession in a generation. Clearly, there were great challenges both for me and for the Nation. I have tried during these months to give my very best to the American people and to the causes which we hold dear as a Nation. I lay no claim to perfection; S much remains to be done. But the hemorrhaging has been FORD stopped, and the process of healing has begun. Our spir- itual and economic health is returning. GENALS LIBRARY The moment has now come, I believe, when we can be- gin to look ahead once again -- to envision the America we would like to see during our third century as a Nation and to formulate concrete programs that will make our dreams come true. Our Bicentennial should be more than a year of brass bands and birthday banners; it should be a year when we choose a fresh, positive course for ourselves and for our children. A copy of our report is filed with the Federal Elections Commission and is available for purchase from the Federal Elections Commission, Washington, D.C. Absolutely no taxpayers' funds have been used in the preparation or mailing of this correspondence. older April 5, 1976 Miss B. Rickey Route 4, Box 348 Anderson, Indiana 46011 Dear Miss Rickey, Your letter to President Ford has been received and your ideas and concerns duly noted. He is grateful that you have taken the time to advise him of your concerns. The voice of the Senior Citizen is of vital importance and must be heard. Hopefully, the enclosed leaflet will be helpful in answering some of your questions in this regard. Please know that the President is well aware of the difficulties that you, particularly, experience in trying to meet the financial pressures of today's living. The greatest contribution you can make to this campaign is not measured by money. Your loyalty, interest, and ideas will be your most valued support in the months ahead. President Ford at the same time, is giving careful consideration to your views and continues to seek the best solutions to your complex problems. Thank you again for your letter. Sincerely, Robert H. Marik Deputy Chairman for Administration FORD GERALD LIBRARY GERALD R. FORD WASHINGTON (over) February 16, 1976 Miss B. Rickey Route 4, Box 348 Anderson, Indiana 46011 Dear Miss Rickey: In the past, you have generously supported the Republican party and its candidates for office. Today, I am writing to ask for your support for my own campaign. Let me try to set forth what I believe can be accom- plished with your help and that of other concerned Americans. As I see it, our country 17 months ago began an experience that was unique in the history cf our de- mocracy: we transferred the reins of the highest office in the land to a man chosen for that office under the 25th Amendment to the Constitution. The country was facing one of its sternest tests. Bitterness, rancor and distrust festered in the body politic. The longest, most divisive war in our history was winding toward an unhappy conclusion, and many feared that the end of an external war would mean the beginning of an internal war of recriminations. And finally, our economy was afflicted with the disease of inflation -- inflation SC serious that it would ultimately drive us into the worst recession in a generation. Clearly, there were great challenges both for me and for the Nation. I have tried during these months to give my very best to the American people and to the causes which we hold dear as a Nation. I lay no claim to perfection; much remains to be done. But the hemorrhaging has been stopped, and the process of healing has begun. Our spir- itual and economic health is returning. The moment has now come, I believe, when we can be- gin to look ahead once again -- to envision the America we would like to see during our third century as a Nation and to formulate concrete programs that will make our dreams come true. Our Bicentennial should be more than a year of brass bands and birthday banners; it should be a year when we choose a fresh, positive course for ourselves and for our children. A copy of our report is filed with the Federal Elections Commission and is available for purchase from the Federal Elections Commission, Washington, D.C. Absolutely no taxpayers' funds have been used in the preparation or mailing of this correspondence. Dear Mr President; of you had kept the price of oil & Gasoline down, maybe I would have had a few dollars, BUE Is it is, I am a Senior Citizen on a fixed income, too old to work, my oil bill has been running around 6000 01 a # month. my light bill has been 2500 a month. Could you live on a fixed income at that rate? of heard you give a speech on T.V. about taking control off oil, get a referred on oil. g have not you said the elderly would seen one penny. you promise, but forget, - Mrs Bonnee Sincerely Richey LIBRARY GERALD RH- Bx 348 anderson Ind. 46011 Senior citizens: General February 18, 1976 bases Mr. G. Leroy Eckardt Assistant Regional Representative National Association of Retired Persons O'Hare Office Center North, Suite 108 2720 Des Plaines Ave., Des Plaines, Illinois 60018 Dear Leroy: Enclosed for your information is a copy of the President's Special Message to Congress on older Americans along with a copy of the White House fact sheet on his proposal. Thank you so much for your recent note which I found to be of great use. Please give my best to Karen and the family. Sincerely, Fredric W. Slight Director of Research Enclosures LISEARY GERALD = FORD