Officials need to act on health, financial security

Since its inception in early 2007, AARP has collected over one million Divided We Fail pledges from citizens all across the nation who believe that health care and lifetime financial security are the most pressing domestic issues facing our nation today.

One hundred and seventy-four miles separate our state's capital from our nation's capital. If you placed these one million pledges end-to-end, the distance would amazingly equal about the same distance from Trenton, N.J., to Washington, D.C.

Let's make 2009 the year of change for health and financial security in the Garden State and in the United States. Let's make this the year our elected officials on the state and federal levels give us action, answers and demonstrate accountability on these urgent issues.

Separated by 174 miles yet connected through the voices of over one million Americans, it is time for our elected officials in Trenton and Washington, D.C., to stop stalling, arguing, and criticizing and start solving these critical problems of health and financial security.
Marsha DuHart
Monroe Township
AARP outreach volunteer
and spokesperson