AARP 'dead set against' Bush's Social Security plan

[raysr]

"USA Today - 1 hour ago
The nation's largest seniors' lobby will oppose any proposal that takes tax money out of Social Security to create private investment accounts for today's workers, the head of AARP said Monday."
I rejoined. I was pissed at the Drug Bill, but they have the clout to knock out Bush.

[proudbluestater]

1. I wonder if they have a petition to sign at their site

They were stung BADLY by the drug bill. Many members canceled their membership after that fiasco. I think they may have learned their lesson, but you never know.

[Dems Will Win]

38. This is a "deke", I'm sure of it.

Gingrich's buddy is still running the AARP. This is a Decoy to LOWER the amount of resistance. Then when it's the 11th Hour, AARP will reach a "compromise" like the Drug Bill and Bush walks laughing all the way to his Swiss bank account with the biggest robbery in the history of the world!

[alittlelark]

2. Good for them!!!! Too bad they didn't rally when

the votes were sooo screwy.

[raysr]

3. I wrote to them

giving support.

[Journeyman]

4. AARP sent me an application this year . . .

I sent it back in the envelope along with all the rest they sent me, told 'em I was disgusted with what they'd done to help pass the Drug Bill, and for that alone I probably won't join them at this time. However, they can redeem themselves, I said, depending on what they do with SS. Since then, they've been solidly against SS piratization. I'd like to think it was me, but I suspect there are millions of "me's" sending them the same message.

[leftofcool]

5. We cancelled our membership!

Thousands did this that were already members. Good for you on sending back the note. I think they took notice.

Left of Cool

[VegasWolf]

9. We cancelled ours too! n/t

[Journeyman]

10. Is there a comparable, alternate organization. . .

that doesn't pander to the Corpos? I think we need some sort of group representation, just not AARP the way it's presently constituted.

[The Zanti Regent]

24. Join the Association of Retired Americans!

They will stand up and fight.

http://www.retiredamericans.org/

[Journeyman]

27. Hey, thank you very much, Zanti Regent. . .

I visited the site and, on first impression, it seems quite good. I'll take some time later to read more but they look like they may get my support instead of AARP.

Maybe its time we begin looking for new directions in all our endeavors.

[jdj]

30. Alliance of Retired Americans

they are very cool, I've seen them speaking at some events.

[jdj]

34. Also The National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare

kicks ass.

I have seen the President and CEO, Barbara Kennelly, on C-span, she is awesome, she really is tough and knows her stuff

http://www.ncpssm.org/

"The National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare was founded in 1982 to serve as an advocate for the landmark federal programs of Social Security and Medicare and for all Americans who seek a healthy, productive and secure retirement.

With millions of members and supporters across America, we are the nation's second-largest grassroots citizens organization devoted to the retirement future for all citizens - from our "twenty-something" generation and baby-boomers to the nation's thirty-four million seniors.

The National Committee's headquarters is just a few blocks from Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., but our reach is nationwide. Our staff of grassroots managers and policy analysts is regularly on the road, in the country's largest cities and its smallest rural towns, for town hall meetings and policy briefings. Meanwhile, our Area Representatives and State Advocacy Representatives represent the National Committee at a variety of local events. "


this is good for people who are not retired and still want to help fight the good fight.

[0007]

32. Did the same!

[goddess40]

36. Alliance for Retired Americans

Goddess40's mom here. I quit AARP over the Medicare Prescription fiasco and joined ARA. You can get their info on the internet.

[phylny]

26. My dad cancelled his as well. He was really po'd n/t

[DemoTex]

37. We cancelled AARP also.

However, I might re-join if it looks like they will really fight Bu$h on Social Security. I must see more than lip service, however.

[Liberty Belle]

17. "Me" too. I told them I was nearing retirement age, but

decided not to join AARP after hearing what they did on the Prescription Drug bill.

[radfringe]

20. we get the "applications" too

we cut it them up into tiny pieces and mail it back to them in their own "pre-paid" envelope

yeah, they were burnt with their support of the drug bill.

[The Zanti Regent]

25. "SS Piratization" ! YOU GOT IT!

That is PRECISELY what the Nazis are doing!

[FlemingsGhost]

6. This is a PR move.

The Prescription Drug Bill exposed AARP's true colors. Now they're scrambling to regain clout, and woo back those who told them to fuck off.

[Hardrada]

8. We quit AARP too

And I told them I had not heard of such base pandering since Munich (I borrowed a freep cliche!). Maybe they did hear us.

[cthrumatrix]

29. watch AARP support another type of tax ---- the VAT to save soc sec.

[MADem]

7. I can't get behind AARP

...until they unload that GOP shill running the place. He is a BushCo tool, a heavy GOP contributer, and I trust him about as far as I could throw him.

It's no credit to them that they are opposing this move--it has the potential to seriously affect their harvest of potential members--those approaching fifty. I still think their stance on the drug bill was inexcusable.

[Sugarbleus]

11. FINALLY, they "get it". I was soooooo pissed with them over

Medicare, still am. But supporting SS now is the right thing for them to do. Afterall, their membership is made up of retirees etc..

After calling them on the phone to BLAST THEM over the Medicare fiasco, I can't tell you how many mailings I've received from them pleading for me to reconsider and join them again.

Maybe I will...now.

Thanks for this news.

[FlemingsGhost]

12. Wow! That was easy.

You are a PR Flak's dream.

[Sugarbleus]

14. On second thought...I read the other posts and may have

jumped to conclusions about them. So don't stone me yet. :)

[WCGreen]

13. Remember, AARP is one of the largest insurance companies

in the world. They jumped on the Medicare reform in order to stop the mass ice increases they were experiencing from ever escalating drug prices.....

Not that that gives them a free pass.....

Both Mrs. WCGreen and myself have declined to sign up.....

We will, if they get behind the opposition to the so-called reform.....

[jfs1000]

16. I don't care

AARP helped get Bush re-elected.

That drug bill was so bad. I say let Bush cut medicaid and Social Security. Give the people what theyvoted for.

[FlemingsGhost]

18. Yup ... time for "tough love."

Choke on it, America.

[WCGreen]

43. That would be great....

except Iam on SSI and need the medicare to survive.....

[Born Free]

15. they are shills for the right wing

They were bought off for the prescription drug plan that put extra money in their coffers. The AARP key people are more interested in their own well being then the seniors they pretend to represent. As, you guessed, I was also one of those that quit and doubt I will ever be a memeber again - as the lying coward in the white house tried to say....fool me once

[Bono71]

39. If they are "shills for the right wing" how do you explain their stance

on social security?

I have always wondered what it must be like to live in a world where everything is black and white, good or evil. Quite confusing, I bet.

[LynnTheDem]

19. After they were shat on by bush's medicare bill, perhaps they've woken up?

Whatever. As long as they continue to point out bush's total lying bullshit about SS.

[orpupilofnature57]

21. Notice how the assholes that slid him in again,aren't bragging

he has done more harm in four years,than the 228 yrs before him.

[Piperay]

22. Gee they must have finally discovered that chimp

is not their friend, they sure kissed monkey butt with the prescription drug deal. :spank:

[sherilocks]

23. Link to article

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-01-24-aarp-ss_x.htm

I quit and will stay that way until further notice. Maybe when the proposed destruction of social security by the chimp in charge goes down in flames, I'll reconsider rejoining.

I stayed up all night watching the repugs twist arms to get the pharmaceutical enrichment bill passed, otherwise known as the drug bill. What a disgusting display of "democracy" in action.

[readmylips]

28. Who cares what you think..AARP..

Ths is little georgie to AARP...you voted me in and now you get to drink my koolaid. Haaa...ha.ha...The joke is on you AARP, and you old fools.

[0007]

31. Do you have a link?

[ima_sinnic]

33. I also sent back a membership form with a nasty note written on it

after the "drug bill" fiasco, and I will rejoin only after I am convinced they are going to resist BushCo tooth and nail. Maybe never. I will check out the other retirement org mentioned in a post above.

[catmandu57]

35. One of the cats pissed on the application they sent

me before I had the chance to send them back a letter they would need an abestos suit to handle. I considered sending back the cat piss, but, it stank too bad to handle.

[dhinojosa]

40. "Assholes against retired people" should've stuck up for medicare.

This is a start though

[dance]

41. AARP - I'll now rejoin

I too quit AARP after their pathetic stance on the drug bill, but I think they may have heard us loud and clear because they are now opposing social security reform with gusto. I would love to know how much their membership suffered because of their ill advised stance on the medicare bill.
Now I must give them my support and hope they continue to be loud and proud in their opposition to reform.

[jswordy]

42. AARP ran anti-SS privatization full-page ads 2 weeks ago in the

Nashville "Tennessean," and I assume other Gannet papers, with a middle aged couple and the words:

If we want to gamble, we'll play the slots!

I saved mine!

It is great to see a group headed by a Republican come out to blast Bush.

On the Medicare thing, did you see where the new rules the admin put out will now FORCE 6.3 million to sign up for the prescription drug "benefit," whether they want to or not? It bombed so bad, the admin is gonna force participation.

Sigh...