Filed formal complaint against AARP with AG

[The Blue Flower]

I have just filed an online complaint against AARP with my state Attorney General's office. This is the body of the complaint:

AARP has positioned itself as an advocate for seniors. In fact, on the floor of the US House of Representatives today it was described as the group that speaks for all senior Americans by Congresswoman Deborah Pryce (R-OH). My membership booklet (of 2001) says, "Among AARP's priorities are: the protection of Medicare and Medicaid." It also states, "AARP works on a nonpartisan basis..." In fact, it has been revealed this week that the President of AARP, William Novelli, has publicly supported former Congressman Newt Gingrich's call for Medicare to "wither on the vine." To promote public support of the current Republican Medicare bill before Congress, AARP has spent millions of members' dollars, without consulting with them, on tv ads. The current bill will directly lead to the undermining of Medicare as medical care for seniors is forced into the hands of HMOs. AARP does not advocate for seniors; instead, it advocates for the insurance and pharmaceutical industries. Therefore, they solicited my membership on false pretenses and lied to millions about their agenda and mission. I and thousands like me in Washington State have been lied to by this organization in order to solicit funding. I respectfully request that the Office of the Washington State Attorney General investigate AARP's behavior to determine criminal intent.

[rucky]

1. Nice Work!

I wish you the best of luck, and hope other members follow.

[annagull]

2. Wow! Good for you!

I would love to see Novelli investigated.

[NoMoreRedInk]

3. AARP is just another special interest group....

but a very wealthy and successful special interest group. They have spent their members' money on TV ads without consulting them throughout their history.

The problem is their special interests used to be aligned with the interests of the Democratic Party, and their TV ads used to support our candidates.

How they've gone over to the other side, I'll never know.

[FlaGranny]

5. Right wing-nut infiltration -

they are everywhere, masquerading as normal people.

[rucky]

9. Not just another special interest...

They're the LARGEST special interest group in the country.
They're in the insurance business.
They've been astroturfed by big pharma & insurance.

btw, google the word "astroturfing" ...it's interesting

There's a good thread about the recent history of the AARP floating around here today. I'll post if i find it again

[maddezmom]

4. Great Job!

:thumbsup:

[flpoljunkie]

6. Great work, chaplin!

:kick:

[indepat]

7. Bravisimo. This is strategic: let's all send AAPR straight to hell and

beyond.

[wryter2000]

8. Way to go!

:bounce:

[otohara]

10. American Association of REPUBLICAN PARTY

They no longer represent retired people - Good for you!

[Melsky]

11. Way to go!

Thanks for taking the time to do that. It is well written.

[Racenut20]

12. Not a member in Florida, but I hope

one of you will grab this exact wording and file a complaint with Charley Christ before the day is over.

[theboss]

13. Check out this thread for some guidance

I just started this one and I think it relates. Your complaint as it is written may fall short of stating a cause. You could link it to "influence peddling" and have a stronger argument.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=753740

[The Blue Flower]

14. Had to start somewhere

And I'm not a lawyer. I just want to see where it goes. Thanks.

[theboss]

16. It's not a bad idea

I am a lawyer so I'm just telling you how to make it stronger. At this point, you are basically arguing that they supported a bill you don't like. Well, the flipside is that over x number of years, they have probably supported hundreds of "Democratic" bills. So, one bill alone fails to prove that non-partisanship is false advertising. In fact, it probably makes a case for the opposite. (This by the way is why the NRA adores pro-gun Democrats who run for governor like Warner. They can endorse them to prove they are non-partisan).

However, if you can somehow begin the argument that there is some sort of quid pro quo taking plave to explain the unusual argument, well, then you got a case.

Oh by the way, I would choose to file the complaint in a state with a Democratic AG who wants to make a name for himself. Advertising and fundraising are local issues so any state that the AARP advertises in would have jurisdiction.

[Malva Zebrina]

15. that is great

I am so confused by it all, but you have put a lot of it into perspective and laid it all out clearly. No doubt about it, and no matter what anyone says, seniors are being screwed---AGAIN. Some of us are not ready to be put out on the ice.

[leftofthedial]

17. rockin!

I'll ask my mom to do the same. She is livid!

[mitchum]

18. Good work!

[DoYouEverWonder]

19. May the gray panthers rise again!

This is great.

[Spazito]

20. Kick!

*

[Wonk]

21. kick