April 30, 2001

Taxpayers shout "At Last" when they see AASP ad in Washington Post

Please find enclosed two checks, one for Renee and one from Catherine. We had only one coupon. Over the past year, we have searched for an organized movement to champion the cause of the unmarried and childless taxpayer. It was quite the delight to find your ad in the Washington Post. As soon as we saw it, we proclaimed, "AT LAST!". Thank you, thank you, thank you for taking the initiative.

For years, we have witnessed married coworkers getting financial breaks, as well as other perks we are not afforded because we are legally single. It has seemed incredulous the extent to which we are punished for not being legally married and not having children. Who decided that our marital status made us insignificant, second-class citizens not worthy of the same rights and benefits of those legally wed? Who decided that the two of us cannot qualify as a household with corresponding benefits? Who dares to believe that we work less hard for our money because of our marital status? The answers are difficult to accept because of the unfairness of it all. We have questioned why others do not seem as indignant as we. Is it indifference? Or perhaps ignorance about the distribution of the tax burden in this country?

In the last presidential election, Renee and I voted for Al Gore with great reservation. Every time we heard him use the phrase "working families", we felt excluded and invisible, as though Al did not really care about us or our vote. I, for one, refuse to ever again support any politician, locally or nationally, who will choose not to speak for me because I am not legally married or have no children. I am tired of having no representation in politics. I welcome learning of the response of individual politicians to your organizational efforts. Thank you again for providing this opportunity to be heard as a group.

Yours truly,
Catherine P.

April 28, 2001

Member shares letter to editor on religion and being single

I thought you might be interested in the following letter to the editor regarding our favorite political issue which was published in the December 28, 2000 issue of The Christian News, an independent publication in the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.

Best regards
Robert


Letters to the Editor
Christian News
3277 Boeuf Lutheran Rd
New Haven MO 63068-2213

I was very disappointed by the article in the November 13 Christian News "Too Many Americans Like the Single Life" by Rev Robert Slimp. The doctrine that all adults are required to be married is neither the teaching of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod nor of the Gospel.

It is however one of the doctrines of classical paganism. One of the reforms of Constantine from 324 AD when Western Civilization switched from paganism to Christianity was to annul the longstanding legal disabilities imposed on single people. Indeed when Constantine decided to use the religion of Jeremiah, Daniel, Paul, John the Baptist, and Jesus to unite his empire, he could hardly continue this pagan tradition. And it is also part of the teachings of the American Prophet Joseph Smith--see Doctrine and Covenants 132:17. Another phony religion which teaches required marriage is Islam. On the cutting edge of Christian-Muslim conflict, the Muslim evangelists are teaching that "Jesus is discredited because he was never married, but you can trust Muhammad because he had four wives".

If there really are selfish people in evangelical churches who are unwilling to become adults, they should certainly be encouraged in a more spiritual direction. But the fact remains that almost all single Christians have a legitimate reason for their status. Some have grown up in dysfunctional households and can't relate to the concept of marriage. Many belong to the disability community. One example is the 43% of adults with epilepsy have never been married. And the old story about the lady who sat by the phone every Friday and Saturday night year after year hoping for a date is in fact a reflection of life in the real world. Some people never find an acceptable spouse.

The real issue about single people and married people in evangelical Churches is that the same rules which prevailed in pagan Rome are all too often still around to keep single people from being church officers and to treat them as social outcasts in God's Church. Matthew 19:5-7 is clearly a conditional rather than a absolute command. An entire chapter of the New Testament, I Corinthians chapter 7, is devoted to the argument that single people and married people are equal in God's Church. Hopefully Rev Robert Slimp will eventually see that he has written an extremist article which is not in accord with the teachings of Scripture.

Robert D.
member of the Lutheran Church, LCMS, San Diego

March 2, 2001

Greetings from Canada.

In a fit of frustration while facing yet another roadblock as a single adult, I threw the words "Single people issues" into a search engine and hit on your website. How wonderful to find that someone's acted on what I've been muttering for several months: it costs way too much to be single.

I immediately set about looking for an AASP counterpart in Canada, to no avail. Are you aware of a like group in Canada, organized or otherwise?

Many thanks...and good luck.

Diana G.

February 14, 2001

Book author praises work of AASP

Congratulations on the work you are doing in support of single people everywhere!

Jennifer Read Hawthorne, co-editor
"Chicken Soup for the Single's Soul"

February 6, 2001

AASP member questions AT&T response to workplace survey

Some time ago, you sent out questionnaires to many corporations polling them about how they treat singles. At the time, they claimed they were unable to respond; has this changed? I have some dealings with AT&T, but if they do not respond to the questionnaire, I may consider contacting them myself. Worst case scenario would be ceasing to use their cellular phone service and canceling their Mastercard. I do not use their Worldnet internet service. Note, I will try and recruit more members in Arizona.

Steve C.
Arizona

November 2, 2000

Sun City resident supports personal retirement accounts

According to Sen. Dianne Feinstein, 63% of all elderly women and 1% of elderly men receive Social Security as spouses, ex-spouses or widows/widowers. As you know, persons in this category of Social Security recipients are not required to have ever worked or to have ever paid in--simply to have been married to a working spouse for 10 years. (Spouses and ex-spouses receive an additional 50% over and above the amount the spouse/ex-spouse receives, and widows/widowers receive the full amount of what their spouse received.)

Were single people to have personal retirement accounts, I am sure their benefits would amount to more than under the present system, as it seems to me that single persons who qualify for Social Security on their own are subsidizing the spouses, ex-spouses and widows/widowers. However, I have never heard any mention of this or heard of any protest.

By the way, by my calculations, since women comprise 7 of 8 of the elderly (according to the Social Security Administration), this 63% and 1% comprise the MAJORITY of all elderly Social Security recipients.

Could you let me know if anything is being proposed about this, and whether or not it will ever receive any publicity? Is there a petition I can sign?

Best regards, and many thanks.

Dolly from Sun City, California

P.S. Do you know that the earnings test applies to only one marriage partner?

Fox News viewer applauds AASP

You are a long awaited answer to my (silent) dissatisfaction with the political agenda in this country. As a divorced (no children) female, I have been frustrated and bemused with the focus on married/family issues.

I saw your press release on Fox News and immediately looked you up. Please send any and all information for this vital and imperative organization. I will be signing up as a member shortly.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for EXISTING. Please advise on all aspects.

Sincerely,

Sandra from Iowa

P.S. I hope this organization can do for singles what the AARP has done for the elderly. We must be heard politically, socially, and economically! Thanks, again. I look forward to hearing from you. You have my permission to add my name to your mailing list(s).

October 31, 2000

Unfair taxation in New Jersey

In a world of increasingly scarce resources, reproduction is surely not altogether a virtue. Yet, paradoxically, society contrives to grant incentives and rewards to those who marry and who produce offspring, while singling out for special punishment persons who do neither.

A perfect example is New Jersey's unjust transfer inheritance tax law.

While a decedent can leave his entire estate to a surviving spouse and to his children inheritance tax-free, no comparable consideration is given an unmarried individual without issue.

According to a communication I have received from Trenton, "transfers of $500 or more made at death to a niece or nephew are taxed at rates ranging from 15 percent to 16 percent. Transfers made to a brother or sister are taxed at rates ranging from 11 percent to 16 percent."

Inasmuch as single people are a small minority, and given America's long tradition of prejudice toward and discrimination against minorities, one need not be overly sanguine that legislative remedy to New Jersey's unfair taxation will be forth-coming overnight from Trenton.

But it is never too late for single citizens to unite--especially at the ballot box--to press such legitimate grievances.

Ferdinand from New Jersey

October 26, 2000

Single father supports AASP

Saw your bit on Fox News today. Did not know you existed. As a single father who has been discriminated against, I support you!

Ron from West Virginia

October 25, 2000

Ex-Navy member wants discrimination against single soldiers to end

I am 43, single, and will probably remain so as a matter of personal choice. I spent many years in the Navy, and would like to share with you one of the things that upset me the most about life as a single military person. Due to the eligibility requirements for various allowances, it turns out that a married service member's take home pay is approximately that of a service member a full paygrade their senior.

In other words, the military (or the Navy at least) pays significantly more for the benefit of having a married person to do the same job as their single counterpart. This is not fair to the people in uniform, nor is it to the taxpayers. The system begs to be cheated, and is.

There are many other examples of unequal treatment in the military, and I encourage you to expose them. I have bookmarked your site, and am considering joining.

Tom from California

Los Angeles attorney wants in on the action

Tom: I listened with GREAT interest to your program today on the Larry Elder radio show. I wish that he had given you more time. To say that I am "interested" is a misstatement.

I really should say that your program made me mad and upset and ready to do something!! Like you, I am an attorney but this is an area of law about which I know precious little. But I am a quick study, especially in areas where the gored ox is mine!

Might it be possible to meet in person or by phone to discuss this subject? I have a million questions so please be prepared! Thanks in advance,

Roberta from California

Radio listener in Los Angeles plans to join AASP

This is a fine idea.  I will be sending in a membership application within a few days.

I heard about AASP on Larry Elder's talk show on KABC Los Angeles.

Martin from Torrance

Fox News viewer has experienced discrimination first hand

Saw you on fox news, I had never heard of such an organization. I totally agree with you. I am single person and always felt that we are being discriminated against in work place and personal lives. I applaud you for putting this organization together. I am just pleased to know that there are some people that think like me in this country.

In my workplace, I saw myself being discriminated against because I was single. I would not be invited to corporate dinners or allowed to attend corporate financed vacations or annual meetings because I was single and refused to bring some girl with me just to comply. Eventually, I gave up on it and started my own business where I can set the rules and policies that promote workers based on their work ethics not on how they interact with married couples.

Thanks for your voice.


SAMRA

October 24, 2000

USA Today reader says AASP is her kind of organization

Dear Mr. Coleman:

Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for creating AASP! I am so glad to finally find an organization that speaks for ME, a divorced childfree woman. Now if we can just get "the establishment" to listen . . .

I'm 28, divorced, no kids. After leaving a 3 1/2 year emotionally abusive marriage, I became very angry at the world's expectations of marriage and society's view of the unmarried/divorced people. Suddenly I saw the rampant discrimination in housing, health care, taxes, etc. I can speak as one who has seen both sides. Marriage is a sanctified institution offering many societal benefits. But there's obviously something very wrong with it given the over 50% divorce rate.

Two of the most important issues to me are housing and health care. With housing, I am facing the reality of possibly never being able to buy property. As an administrative assistant, I don't make that much money, and my limit for renting/buying is low. Luckily I live in a currently affordable apartment that I love. But my part of the "American Dream" is to buy a nice 1-bedroom condo, and for the present that's out of reach. In Denver's heated real estate market it may become an impossible dream. The main issue is that NO ONE is paying attention to the housing issues faced by singles without children. Everyone is constantly talking about "young married couples" or "families with children" and how to help THEM buy property. But the singles are once again being ignored. I was recently interviewed for a newspaper article on this subject. It is disheartening to see that discrimination based on marital status is still "legal" - did you know that it became illegal to have "adults only" communities (except 55+) in the late 70's?

With health care, I've seen singles problems firsthand. My boyfriend is a musician, single, childfree (we do not currently live together). He has recently suffered gastritis and some related problems. His insurance is terrible and he is now facing several thousand dollars in medical bills, which he can't afford. I've helped him research possible assistance and have found NOTHING for a single young person -- it's all help for families with children, the elderly, the disabled. I do not deny that they have legitimate problems that need assistance, but if you're single and young in this country NO ONE is paying attention to health care assistance for you! Only families seem to rate any consideration for assistance.

When I became divorced, I realized that I was taking a bold step with my life. I am very happily single and have very mixed feelings about the institution of marriage in general. I think there is way too much emphasis in this country on following the herd -- get married, have a family, etc. Women are particularly brainwashed -- go into any toy store and look at all the "bride playsets" and Bridal Barbies. It starts early.

I also support the recognition of "domestic partnerships" for same-sex couples. I feel these are just as legitimate as the hallowed heterosexual marriages. My uncle has been with his partner for over 20 years, far longer than many marriages.

Thanks again for having this wonderful organization! I look forward to my membership and more information. By the way, I found out about AASP from a virulent article in USA Today yesterday (Oct. 23) -- written by a married man with five kids, who was ripping on the "complaining" childless in our society. His article made me very angry but it had a benefit - I heard about AASP and then found your website!

Sincerely,
Hilarie from Colorado

Michigan woman likes AASP's website

Finally, an intelligent site dedicated to issues that affect single people. With board members right here in my neck of the woods.

Deborah from Michigan

October 11, 2000

AASP member's letter is published in Philadelphia newspaper

Editor
Metro (Philadelphia Edition)

As a 51-year-old single taxpayer I disagree with John Leming's column ("Marriage tax veto sent bad message," Sept. 21). I'm glad President Clinton vetoed it. This bonus is unfair to single people.

I don't know of one instance where people would enter into marriage simply because of a tax break. Taxes should be equitable for married people and singles.

I'm glad I belong to the American Association for Single People because it tries to remedy such legislative bias. As for married people possibly having happier, healthier and longer lives, that in part is a function of society's discriminatory treatment of those without spouses. Besides which, there are some studies which conclude that never-married women come out on top, then married men, married women, and finally single men.

Miriam Greenwald
Pennsylvania

October 5, 2000

AASP member delighted with our ad campaign

Dear Mr. Coleman:

Now is the time for very well deserved congratulations and celebrations. The unbelievable is now believable. Marking a milestone in history, the USA Today advertisement indelibly symbolizes the mission of AASP as a highly credible and significant unstoppable force to reckon with.

You and the other highly talented specialized "I" doctors of the AASP staff are now correcting the vision of the US today and possibly the world tomorrow.

This milestone is one reason why I would like to nominate the British author, Anthony Storr, who wrote Solitude: A Return to the Self, to become an honorary member of AASP. Experiencing that book, to me and very likely many others, was like visiting my first "I" doctor and reading my first "I" chart. This was the first time I could compare thoughts and feelings about being single and it raised a lot of questions, but, it also significantly raised my I-esteem!

AASP is now providing everyone with "I" exams. Furthermore, they are correcting everyone's vision to 20/20 if necessary and desired. And above all, the AASP team of expert "I" doctors is convincing everyone that there is absolutely nothing to be ashamed or worried about wearing glasses or contacts.

All "I's" have perfect vision in their dreams. I have a dream. I now think that I am going to live that dream. Ill need no more "I" exams.

Sincerely,
Vernon Gutenkunst

October 4, 2000

Enthusiastic response to USA Today advertisement

Hooray! I am so sick of hearing about family values when I pay over 30% of my pay checks and get no deductions. No one ever says how responsible I was not to have children.

I am a women who is divorced and have lots of single friends 40-50.  This country actually makes you feel guilty almost if you are single.

One word of advice, please don't get caught up in the gay rights thing. I support their cause but no one supports unmarried straight singles and we pay a lot of taxes. I hope your organization will help the world know that.

I rarely contribute to groups. I will be sending you my check and waiting and watching your actions.

Good luck.

M.S.

October 3, 2000

Gender preference irrelevant to AASP

I'm glad to see that there is such a site as this one that does not discriminate against one's gender preference.

Darlene T.
Chillicothe, Illinois