American Seniors Association Survey
Required Required Question(s)
1.

Please enter the information indicated below. This is not required information and not necessary in order to participate in the survey. The American Seniors Association (ASA) greatly appreciates filling this information out as thoroughly as possible. This information is vital to helping ASA let Washington lawmakers understand what issues are most important to our members. Your personal information will not be shared outside of the American Seniors Association and it's partners.



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First Name:
Last Name:
Email Address:
emailaddress@xyz.com
Address 1:
Address 2:
City:
State/Province
(US/Canada):
Postal Code:

Required 2.


The Constitutionality of H.R. 3590 has been questioned by many. I believe the health care bill violates the U.S. Constitution because:
It extends congressional power by an unprecedented amount. Certain state powers that are inplace to limit the Federal Government will be eliminated under the bill.
Federal-sponsored health plans have an unfair advantage against states-sponsored health plans since the Federal health plans are protected from insolvency through taxpayer bailout.
The government has mandated the purchase of health insurance.
States are mandated to expand Medicaid to individuals who fall below the 133 percent poverty level.
I don't believe H.R. 3590 violates the U.S. Constitution.
Required 3.


Obamacare has been a hot topic since the Presidential races and H.R. 3590 was finally passed in December 2009. This legislation will affect U.S. health care and U.S. citizens for years to come. Based on the health care facts presented in ASA’s Presidential Report Card, which do you believe will have the greatest impact on America’s health care system?
Preventing drug companies from blocking generic drugs
Allowing Medicare to negotiate for cheaper drug prices
Removing the donut hole in Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan
Elimination of extra payments for Medicare Advantage
The Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan through the Affordable Care Act
Expanding eligibility for Medicaid
Required 4.


In my opinion, the newly appointed chief of Medicare and Medicaid, Dr. Donald Berwick:

Has extensive background in health care policy, which gives me confidence that the programs will improve in quality and cost under his command.
Is going to transform the programs to align with Obama's promises, as exemplified by the sudden recess appointment that bypassed the Senate to escape Republican criticism.
Will work even harder to improve the programs for all affected Americans because of the criticism that came with his debatable recess appointment.
Should be removed from his position until going through a confirmation hearing by the Senate.
Will ruin the two programs because he is in support of rationing health care.
Required 5.


President Obama signed a bill marking $10.6 billion for administrative expenses and improvements for the Social Security office but the final budget is only a 2% percent increase and barely covers the rate of inflation. There also does not appear to be oversight of these funds and how are they to be allocated. I believe that:
The extra funds will do nothing to improve the administration of social security.
Without regulation and specific guidelines for spending this allocated money, it will simply be wasted
Both A & B
None of the above
Required 6.

President Obama is strongly against any privatization of Security Security. I believe that:
The President is being shortsighted and should look at all options for saving Social Security for future generations
Voluntary partial privatization is the only way to give American citizens any choice and control over their own retirement.
Both A & B
None of the above
Required 7.


Do you think President Obama’s proposed financial reform bill is Constitutional?
No, creating a new government agency to look into the books of private organizations, as well as writing and enforcing rules, allowing the government to seize failing firms (considered private property) is contrary to the 4th Amendment.
No, there are multiple facets of the bill that aren't Constitutional.
Yes, keeping the private sector under the reigns of the Government will force the economy back on track.
Undecided. I'm not familiar with the financial reform bill proposed by the president.
Required 8.


In the Presidential Report Card, the American Seniors Association considers Social Security of high importance. How important is the Social Security debate to you?
Little Importance  Moderately Important  Highly Important       
      
Required 9.


Which of President Obama’s tax changes will have the greatest impact on America?
Removing the payroll tax cap on those earning $250,000 or more
The program to crack down on tax evasion
Keeping the tax credits put in place by President Bush's 'Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003'
Keeping the tax cuts put in place by President Bush's 'Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003'
The programs will have no effect if the government does not cut spending
Required 10.


As mentioned in Obama’s Report Card, the $110 million-funded E-Verify program has major discrepancies. While it has a 96% success rate, further research shows that over half of the unauthorized workers processed through E-Verify result as authorized (for numerous reasons, e.g. stolen SSN). Does this fact strengthen the case for the Arizona Immigration Law?
Yes, if the wasteful programs funded by the Federal Government can't do the job, states must step in and take action.
Yes, but eliminating illegal immigration is a call for action at the state and federal level. The Federal Government should work on improving the effectiveness of E-Verify, while Arizona does its part in enforcing its new law.
Both A & B
No, the solution lies only in fixing the E-Verify security specifications so that all unauthorized workers are filtered out. Th success rate of E-Verify should eliminate the need for any state-led immigration law.
No, the Arizona Immigration Law is unconstitutional.
Both C & D
Required 11.


With a hot debate over Arizona’s Immigration Laws and the burden that illegal immigration puts on the American taxpayer, which of the following will have the greatest impact on America?
Strengthening of border security and immigration services
Allocation of Homeland Security funding according to risk
Increased funding for local emergency funds
Increased funding for the Comprehensive National Cybersecurity Initiative
Establish regulations for Homeland Security surveillance
Funding for state and local level intelligence analysts
Required 12.


With an ongoing war on terrorism, both overseas and at home, which of President Obama’s military decisions will have the greatest affect on the U.S.?
The promise to withdraw from Iraq by the end of 2011
Redirection of funding for the defense budget to higher priority programs and projects, e.g. cutting Pentagon expenses
Funding an increase of troops for the Army and Marines
Fully funding the Department of Veteran Affairs in 2010
Making deployments more predictable for service members in active duty and the Reserves
Required 13.


Is there legitimacy in the Arizona Immigration Law, S.B. 1070?
Yes, Arizona has the right to protect itself and its citizens. The State is only enforcing a Federal Law that is already in place. We are giving law enforcement the right to do its job effectively and in doing so will keep our citizens safe.
No, racial profiling is illegal regardless of the person's immigration status.
Undecided. While there is the issue of illegal immigration in the U.S., I'm not sure if the law is in alignment with the Constitution.
Required 14.


Do you think President Obama is using the crisis in the Gulf to revive the need for an energy regulation bill?
Yes, this fact is evident after hearing the president's first speech in the Oval Office regarding the BP oil spill.
Yes, as he should have.The BP oil spill is another reminder that America must break its addiction to fossil fuels.
No, Americans are already aware of his plans for new energy proposals and should have expected it during his address on the oil spill.
No, just because he touched on a climate bill proposed a year ago in his speeches, President Obama set nothing in stone about proposing a new energy bill.
Required 15.


With the U.S. stagnant in an economic hardship, which of President Obama’s promises, if kept, will have the most positive affect on the U.S. economy?
Passing of the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009
Promise to allow penalty free hardship withdrawal from retirement accounts
Promise to spur growth by creating jobs in the private sector
Promise to offer a tax credit to small businesses who hire unemployed workers
Promise to stabilize the housing market by reforming the regulatory system and increasing credit flow
Promise to eliminate capital gain taxes for small businesses, while increasing the capital gains and dividends taxes for high income individuals and families
Promise to combat the global financial crisis
Required 16.


Is the Fair Tax a viable to streamlining the U.S. tax system?
Yes. Federal Income Taxes would be abolished bringing an end to the Internal Revenue Service leaving the government with much less power to peer into the lives of Americans.
Yes. Since the Fair Tax only taxes consumption, businesses would not be taxed for creating new jobs, development and research or for charitable giving.
Yes; however, the Fair Tax is only a partial solution which will work only in conjunction with decreased Government spending.
All of the Above
No. I do not like the Fair Tax.
Required 17.

Rate the order in which these areas affect seniors the most.

(1 = Most Affected)
 
Health Care
Social Security
Finance
Homeland Security
Military
Economy
Energy
Required 18.


Congress may soon pass a new ‘kill switch’ bill that will ultimately hand over the power of the internet to President Obama for national emergency purposes. Does this bill violate the Constitutional rights (freedoms of speech, press, petition, and assembly) of citizens?
Yes, by awarding the president 'absolute power' the freedoms provided in the Constitution are ultimately threatened.
Yes, but only temporarily. If the kill switch is activated, Constitutional rights are temporarily taken away.
No, as Commander in Chief President Obama is given the power to be able to bypass congress and shut off networks on whim.
No, the present cyber threats facing America are reason enough to override any objection regarding the Constitutionality of the bill. It is necessary for homeland security.
No opinion
Required 19.

President Obama has taken measures that may affect future U.S. energy practices. Which of the following will most likely have the greatest affect on how the U.S. uses energy in the future?
Investment in alternative and renewable energy
Enacting a cap and trade program that will reduce carbon emissions by 80% by 2050
Raising fuel economy standards
Double funding for research on clean, sustainable fuels
Providing a tax credit for individuals who purchase a plug-in hybrid cars
No measure President Obama is taking will change the U.S.'s energy practices in the long-run.
Required 20.


Do you believe the ASA’s grading system for the Presidential Report Card is justified and academically sound?
Yes, ASA's approach to grading the President is just and well founded
I agree with ASA's assessment and don't think it's important to be objective
I agree with ASA's assessment but they could have been more objective
No, ASA's report card was too biased
Required 21.

Do you agree with the results of ASA’s Presidential Report Card and the grading of President Obama’s performance for his first 18 months in office?
Yes, I think the ASA report card is very accurate in it's grading of the President
I agree with most of ASA's grading of the President
I agree with some of ASA's grading of the President
I agree with very little of ASA's grading of the President
No, I do not agree with ASA's grading of the President
Required 22.

Did you find the Presidential Report Card informational?
Yes
No
I didn't read it
23.

Please briefly explain your answer for Question 22.
 

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24.

The American Seniors Association wants to hear back from you! What would you like to see from us in the future, e.g. specific topics concerning seniors? more surveys? more educational pieces? Your input is greatly appreciated!
 

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