Looks like the AARP membership doesn't agree with their prez

[Norbert]

about the Medicare Bill. In fact they are genuinely pissed. I, for one, have been eligable to join AARP for months. I've been putting it off and I'm glad I did. I would have never forgiven myself for supporting Bu$h/Rovian policy even if it was inadvertant.

Check out their message board. Senior citizen leaned toward putting whistleass in. If the Democratic leadership capitalize on this senior citizens will kick the dim son out.


http://community.aarp.org/n/mb/listsf.asp?webtag=rp-health&gfc=1&%20sts=11%2F22%2F2003+8%3A37%3A09<br%20/>+AM&sts=11%2F22%2F2003+10%3A03%3A00+AM

[bahrbearian]

1. I did join the AARP

about six month's ago Now I have the Pleasure to cancel my membership. My wife won't, she say's we saved $5oo.oo on our auto insurance because of the AARP, it's just a matter of time I'll convince her.

[pinkpops]

5. Don't you think

If AARP could save you $ 500, some othere organization could have as well.

[bahrbearian]

7. Exactly what I tell her.

besides it's a contract with an insurer and us, not the AARP.

[The Icon Painter]

12. Car Insurance

Check with GEICO. They beat AARP in every way for us.

[bahrbearian]

14. Thank you very Much..

[brook]

15. Before I made up my mind...

about joining AARP, I did some research on car insurance. I found GEICO was half of what AARP quoted - so never joined as I figured they were in some sort of deal with the insurance companies. This is 20 years ago, btw. You may have to do your own *legwork* - but discounts for seniors are out there in all kinds of businesses. The only original worth of AARP was as a lobby - but when they lobby against our interests - who needs 'em?

[flpoljunkie]

2. Thanks for posting. Senate is now in session to ram bill through!

Contact your Senators now. They will work on Sunday to get this turkey through before the Thanksgiving holidays. We must make an all out push to stop this bill.

[Norbert]

3. Great idea. We can't hesitate on this.

[spanone]

4. membership doesn't agree with AARP

members were not polled. aarp took politics into their own hands despite a membership that is 63% opposed to this legislation. I have resigned.

[JitterbugPerfume]

6. I have been an AARP member for years

until now I called and told them to STICK IT

[bahrbearian]

9. Do you have the Number handy.

[DancingBear]

21. 1-800-424-3410

AARP - Membership Services

Had to look through the trash and piece the card back together. :)

[buddhamama]

10. good for you, Jitterbug

i hope you can find an alternative to provide you with discounts,etc.

i wrote AARP, stating that i would not be joining their org when the time came if they continued to support the Bill.

they actually had the nerve to send me a membership packet in the mail.

i guess they've gotten pretty good at ignoring people.

[Code_Name_D]

8. Inresting to note how the mediea asumes the voice of the AARP.

Consistantly, they site the indorcment of the AARP of the medicare bill as automatic support of the elder, still refuring to it as "a powerfule emografic" that none dare challange.

However, I would be intrested in seeing how badly enrolment has been hurt. But suspect they will keep such numbers secrit for now, or be slow to releace them, in order to preserve their cloute for a little while longer.

[loudsue]

11. AARP needs to throw out their leadership...."recall", anyone??

It seems to be the thing :crazy: these days...why shouldn't AARP members get to do it???

:kick:

[many a good man]

16. Take back AARP! Write Board Members Now.

CQ places AARP as the first or second most powerful lobby in Washington every year; they are definitely worth the effort to bring them back to their senses. They're a strong voice and are really good on the vast majority of issues. They provide excellent services and programs, such as pro bono legal assistance and grief counseling.

The massives waves of criticism are bound to make their board of directors nervous. The CEO, Novelli, and president Parkel are both fairly new and have made a tactical blunder of epic proportions. AARP's biggest asset is its clout, not the pittance it receives from insurance commissions; the Board has been hornswaggled by these two con men.

Write the Board members now to protest instead of calling or ranting in forums if you really want to make change happen. See the DU thread below to register your opinions with the board members.

http://democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=106&topic_id=4119

[juajen]

23. Do you remember draft-card burning in the sixties?

This is what seniors need to do now. Have meetings all over this country burning their AARP cards. Do it now, members, and get the media coverage needed.

I am not a member and my hubbie and I have resisted joining, and I am GLAD, GLAD, GLAD. Of course, I would enjoy burning it right about now.

[Peace_2_Everyone]

13. I have always thought of AARP

as a voice for the Greedy OppressiveProfiteers.



I knew AARP members that were furious with the leadership when Reagan was prez. I really don’t remember the reason, here is a clip that may jog some memories.

http://www.msnbc.com/news/995794.asp?0si=-
Lurking in the background were memories of the Reagan-era “catastrophic insurance” law, a measure AARP endorsed, which was quickly repealed when it became clear that many seniors opposed its new charges.

Then we have Newt (AARP adviser)saying

http://www.hillnews.com/news/090303/newt.aspx

On Oct. 24, 1995, Gingrich uttered what may be the most controversial statement in Medicare’s history. Democrats alleged that he said Medicare “should wither on the vine.”

But Gingrich and other Republicans insisted that he said the government agency that runs Medicare should wither on the vine.

Seems to me if the agency that runs Medicare is to “wither on the vine” then Medicare itself will also “wither on the vine”.

The good news is this has been an eye opening experience for some people.

The bad news is they will be focused on this one issue and not see the other crap coming down the tube.

[many a good man]

20. I've Always Thought The Opposite

You neglect to mention a couple of items cited in the msnbc article:

Historically, AARP has usually allied itself with the Democratic Party, which was instrumental in creating Social Security and Medicare, the twin pillars of economic security for the elderly. Conservatives financed alternative seniors organizations, hoping to contest AARP’s influence, but without notable success.
In 1995, then-Sen. Alan K. Simpson (R-Wyo.), a critic of AARP, held a hearing to publicize the group’s finances, which included $173 million in commissions on health, life and other insurance, mutual funds and prescription drugs, plus $86 million in government grants. Simpson said, “I’m not here to destroy the AARP, but I am here to get rid of hypocrisy and duplicity.”
But Gingrich said yesterday that a closer relationship began when Republicans took over the House and Senate in 1995 and continued with AARP’s hiring of Novelli in 1999.


The articles fail to mention AARP's greatest debacle to date: supporting Clinton's health care initiative ("HillaryCare"). Their support of that legislation caused two million members to resign. Simpson's battle with AARP originated with its support for Dem initiatives and fight against GOP plans. His main criticism was against federal grants to some of AARP's non-profit programs while at the same time maintaining a powerful lobbying arm inimical to Republican goals.

GOP ascendancy threatened to marginalize AARP's influence. To get back in the game Novelli decided to play along and go with the tide. At least up to the point where members and board members might rebel. It looks like he's crossed that point with this Medicare Prescription bill.

AARP has always struggled with the need to appear non-partisan because because its broad membership reflects the nation, which is 50-50 red-blue. It can't continuously hammer away at Republicans without turning off a big chunk of its base. For everyone who says AARP is too conservative there are two or three who thinks its too liberal.

True, its not a purely liberal interest group, but its strength is in numbers. Therefore it has to compromise. I believe its recent tactical blunder misreads the public, who are growing increasingly anxietous over corporate control. This is the one organization that can best fight for non-partisan, pro-populist measures. That's why I think a movement by its members to change direction is worth the fight.

[Norbert]

17. Question for senior DUers?

Someone on the earlier post mentioned about his wife staying with AARP because of the substantial diacount on auto insurance.

My question: Is there a competing group similar to AARP that would be more in line with our thinking plus adventagous with getting the benefits of the organization too?

[Norbert]

18. TorchesAndPitchforks thanks for the info above.

I'd like to check that out.

[Atman]

19. Time to start MY mailings to AARP?

I turn 45 next April. From what I'm told, I'm bound to start getting the AARP mailings any time now.

Being a pretty graphic designer, I'd like to get my hands on one of their pitches and spoof it, all about why I will NOT be joining AARP because I CARE about my future.

Then, mail it to them and all the staff. Often.

Just for fun.

[Deja Q]

22. They wouldn't let me post as a guest

Created an account "real_hypno". They said 'hypnotoad' was already taken.

:wow:

Wasn't me...

[Catshrink]

24. Daniel Shorr said AARP is now just an insurance company

That was on NPR's Weekend Edition this morning. He said they certainly aren't expressing his views and he's been a member for many years.

Link (about halfway down the page click on "Week in Review with Daniel Shorr):

http://www.npr.org/rundowns/rundown.php?prgDate=22-Nov-2003&prgId=7