How many other DUers over 50 are quitting AARP???

[LuLu550]

After their support of this fake "medicare reform bill" I'm quitting in protest! Anyone else? Or those close to 50 who won't join now? We're being asked to call in to the AARP hotline and let them know.

[theivoryqueen]

1. Hell, I'm only 35 and I'll quit

I just have to sign up first....

[LuLu550]

2. pretend you are dyslexic

then you'd be 53!

[bobja]

3. I've never joined

But if I had, I would quit them. I am over 50.
Besides, I've had insurance quotes from them and they are more expensive than what I've found on my own. They suck.

[flamingyouth]

4. My parents both did

Actually, my dad just joined this year at age 63; my mom had been a member since the age of 50. My dad said he didn't want to admit he was "old" by joining (ha ha). Now they say that their biggest challenge is how many teeny tiny pieces to cut their cards into before they mail them back.

Needless to say, they are most disappointed in AARP. I told them about the other org. that's been mentioned here (Assoc. for Retired Americans?)

[Bluzmann57]

5. Just came from having breakfast with my 73 yr. old dad

and we discussed this very thing. He said he's unhappy with aarp and he and my mom are dropping them. They are lifelong Dems too. I am 46 and its doubtful that I'll ever join after all this.

[Chef]

6. 58

My wife worked for AARP. Based on her experience and other things, I'm glad I never joined. Never will and I wrote and told them so.

[Snow]

7. I'm conflicted, but leaning towards quitting

My first impulse when something like that happens is to try to take back the organization. You belong to something, you have a responsibility to care for it. If you feel the leadership is in error, you inform them of that and encourage others to do so, while remaining a part of the group so that your voice will be respected. If the repugs sneak in a mole, you do your best to dump him. Having said that, though, it looks as though the organization has been well and truly co-opted. They're sure not gonna listen to protests, and they seem to have a pretty firm hand on the reins. It may be that quitting is the most effective protest, especially if we can build up a rival group to match AArp's purported influence. The newspapers, at least here in LA, have picked up on the "AARP members are pissed at the leadership" story, which helps - if nothing else it undermines their credibility as lobbyists. So, that's where I am at the moment. Thoughts welcome.

[lpbk2713]

8. I am not renewing my membership, age 59.

Oddly enough, they sent me a renewal form that I set aside a few weeks ago. I'm going to send it back with a "Don't call me, I'll call you" written on the renewal form. I think I'll also enclose a disparaging newspaper article in the envelope as well.

[GOPFighter]

9. I'm going to write them...

..and tell them I wish I was a member so I could cancel my membership. I'll also tell them that they can forget about my ever joining after this (or my wife either)!

AARP, INC.

[sinkingfeeling]

10. Quit last week...age 55. n/t

[Lefta Dissenter]

11. OK, I have a question

A few months ago, we joined AARP (no, I'm not 50, but my hubby is!). I paid for a 3-year membership.

So my question is, won't it just provide AARP with greater profits if we quit? They have my money, and they won't have to spend any more money on me (mailing out their newsletters, etc.).

You all might think I'm being a dope (people who know me often do), but this is a legitimate question. Is the 'statement' of quitting more important than the actual end result of quitting? I'm happy to send them our shredded cards if I know that it will actually do something other than increase their bottom line.

[LuLu550]

12. You can get a refund

I called their hotline (it's on aarp.com) and cancled just now. If you don't ask for a refund, they will not voluntarily offer it, but if you insist on a refund, you will get it.

on edit: when the person asked me if there was "anything else AARP could do for you?" I told them, "yeah, be a true advocate and stop selling out to the Republican party and the big business..." the woman laughed. They must be getting hammered today....the bill just passed.

[Lefta Dissenter]

14. THANKS for the replies

Will get on the phone right now.

I wonder if we'll ever know how many people are actually quitting. Yesterday (or the day before?) I saw an AARP official on CSPAN, and he said, "oh, yeah, maybe a couple hundred people have quit," out of however many thousands of members. What a bunch of BS. I'll bet by then there were already thousands.

[catmandu57]

13. Demand a refund

if they don't refund any unused dues then it's more bad publicity.

[ChickMagic]

15. I'm quitting

I just signed up, too.

[ChangeMan]

16. I Quit Long Ago

AARP needs to be addressing the upcoming needs of the baby boomers and they need to address these needs NOW.

The time is long past when AARP can set their agenda based on what the WWII generation wants or needs.

AARP is a big business that continues to function as if it really cares about the little guy.

Give me a break, let them get their money from some one else.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

18. I think they should advocate for all...

seniors of all generations.

My Mom is a member of that WWII generation and she IS the little "guy". She now stands to be hurt badly by the new Medicare bill. If AARP had been doing the right thing for EVERYBODY, she might not be looking at this mess.

[rock]

17. I think me and my wife will quit

We're still reeling.

[DFLforever]

19. I didn't join when I became eligible because of their opposition to the

Clinton health coverage plan back in the early 90's'.

[silverlib]

20. I joined two weesk ago

and quit today. What a sad day for the seniors in America. I am not actually retired, although over 50. At retiredamericans.org, I don't see age requirements. Are there any? This sounds like my kind of organization.

[MaineDem]

21. I sent our renewal form back with a kind...but emphatic...note

I also called and canceled last week. I will send any postage paid envelope they send me right back to them. Empty.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

22. both me and husband called and canceled membership

[VOX]

23. Pulled the pin on AARP last week.

Am 54 years old, so I'm not exactly a long-term member, but I called and also e-mailed AARP, and let them know in no uncertain terms why I was cancelling my membership.

[Another Bill C.]

24. I quit yesterday.

I was paid up to 2008.

[mlawson]

25. I have never joined it.

My parents were both members. I can not say that their membership helped them in any appreciable way.

[yellowdog]

26. I called and quit

the day after they announced support for the Medicare bill. I also wrote Novelli a letter inviting him to take a hike.

[FloridaJudy]

27. I never joined..

But now I'll send their crumby postal spam back to them with a rude note, instead of immediately tossing it in the trash.

Oh, and I'll used the "return postage paid" envelope. I have no pride.

[welshTerrier2]

28. i'm outta there

quit last week ... cut up my AARP credit card too ... and wrote a little essay on their bulletin board ...

and to top it all off, my parents, both in their 80's, also quit ... they're so cool ...

[FloridaJudy]

29. Ripping up our AARP cards

...seems to be 2003's version of burning our draft cards!

When did we all get so *old*?

Sigh

:hurts:

[Hogarth]

30. I ripped up my card three days ago.

And I've been watching the debates on the Senate floor religiously.

[Spirochete]

31. I won't be 50 till Monday

but I'm not going to join those assholes.

[trof]

32. I'm out. Join ARA instead-AARP with TEETH!

Alliance for Retired Americans
How is the Alliance different from AARP?
We are an organization of retired union members and other retirees who are committed to activism and want to influence the policies of government that affect all older Americans. We are not in competition with AARP. We believe the Alliance can be singularly effective on behalf of retired workers by focusing on the issues that most affect them.

Is the Alliance an arm of organized labor and the Democratic Party?
We’re proud to be allied with the AFL-CIO and other sponsoring organizations. We think the Alliance has much to offer by helping retirees stay connected to their unions and helping to educate all of our members about the issues they care about. We support elected officials, regardless of party affiliation, who support our agenda and the issues we care about.

Can I become a member of the Alliance if I am not with a union?
Yes, we welcome members from outside the labor movement who share our concerns. The dues of retirees of participating unions are paid by their unions; other members pay an annual membership fee of $10.

http://www.retiredamericans.org/about_faqs.htm

[greatauntoftriplets]

33. Somehow I fell through the crack with AARP.

I never got the invitation and didn't really care to join. A friend sent her package back to them (this was three years ago) and asked them to please stop harrassing her.