ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the evidence with respect to how much political power the elderly have today, concluding that the elderly rarely have a determining voice in public policy. The Townsend movement was organized around a charismatic leader, Seniors for Kennedy had organizational support from the Democratic party, and the catastrophic repeal movement was organizationally supported by the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare. Although public attention usually focuses on the situational power of the elderly voter, their institutional and structural powers are potentially stronger. In spite of all of the public attention currently given to the power of seniors over public policy, however, the much publicized menace of seniors dominating public policy is no more dangerous than a lamb in wolfs clothing. In making this discovery, they can play an important role in helping to meet the health and social needs of the elderly population.
