AARP wages fiery blitz vs. Social Security plan

[Judi Lynn]

March 19, 2005, 11:52PM

AARP wages fiery blitz vs. Social Security plan
Seniors group pays $20 million in ad campaign
By BENNETT ROTH
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON - As they sat plotting strategy in their imposing stone headquarters last week, AARP officials reveled in their latest effort to sink President Bush's Social Security plan: A house had been found on the West Coast to blow up.

The demolition, an unconventional tactic for a seniors organization known more for retirement tips than home-wrecking, was critical to a television advertising blitz to be launched this week.

In the TV spots, President Bush's possible solution to Social Security solvency, which includes private accounts, is portrayed as out of proportion to the problem. A wrecking crew responds to a complaint of a clogged kitchen drain.

The dramatic visual effect is part of an aggressive campaign, costing well in excess of$20 million, that the organization is waging against the retirement proposal. The leadership says Bush's plan is unpopular with much of its membership.
(snip)

AARP, which a few years ago supported the president's prescription-drug plan for seniors, has emerged as one of the White House's most formidable opponents on Social Security.
(snip/...)

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/front/3093655
(Free registration is required)

[physioex]

1. $20 million...Woow......

Shame that money has to be spent just to keep the benefits that they already have. That money could be spent for much better purposes had Shrub not waged a War on Social Security.

[gumby]

3. This is a Major point.

For at least 30 years, the right has spent billions buying and selling their ideology that is basically lethal to all living things. During this time, the left spent their money actually helping people.

Look what happened. Those who bought the discourse won the debate.

Now, the money on both sides is going to be spent to argue ideologies rather than actually do anything that actually helps those in need.

This horrible situation is what is called a strategic initiative. The right has put the left in an untenable, circular situation. Monies that were used to help people now have to be used to fight the very ideology that insists no money should be spent on those in need. See? The right wins both ways.

Why do Bush and his minions see suffering as such a victory?

[China_cat]

4. Look at Rome for the model.

Not today's Rome but the Rome of the days before it fell. NO middle class. You were either very wealthy, very poor or a slave. If you were very poor and managed to get into debt, one of the only opportunities left for you was to sell yourself into slavery before you were taken by whoever you were in debt to.

Roman citizens did not engage in trade, foreigners did it. Expansion and wealth was gained by conquest and looting.

And Rome was Christian when it fell.

[autorank]

2. "This is the end, my only friend the end" - effed with the wrong dudes *!

Well, well, * i8s at 45% in the Newsweek (owned by PentaPost) Poll. Dropped 5 points in that poll since last week. He's probably closer to 37-38%. But...now we have this, AARP mobilized and spending real money to slam the *bots. This will rock the house and cause an accelerated nose dive in popularity. This is the first time a heavy-duty group (other than the Democratic Party) stood up to the little prince.

Well watch out below, * is going down. It will be a sight to see.

[ima_sinnic]

5. I am definitely now rejoining AARP

--I wrote them a nasty note instead of renewing after the Medicare thing and have trashed their mailings ever since. But this definitely changes things. Proud to be in the new generation of Gray Panthers, following in the footsteps of my father, who was quite the activist against forced retirement back in the 70s.

[Mari333]

6. I rejoined...after Id quit over the Pharma scam

and I let them know why I was rejoining..( I also let them know why Id quit..)
those discounts come in handy also..

[AnnInLa]

7. I hear ya

I was going to let my membership lapse because of their support of the prescription-drug thing, but now am going to renew next month and send letter of support...just can't imagine my kids and grandkids having to gamble their SS money with the likes of Enron and World Com.




March 19 anti-war protest in New Orleans:

[mom cat]

14. Same here, I think that our temporary absence might have sent a

message. Now I am ready to send a new message.

[frustrated_lefty]

8. This resembles a South Park episode.

It would be funny if it weren't so....unfunny. Shrub has finally chosen the wrong group of people to screw with.

Portraying AARP as homophiles, the same generation that went through WW II as unpatriotic....someone pass the popcorn, this should be a hoot.

[unhappycamper]

9. Guess I need to send in another donation.

[ebayfool]

10. I love the symbolism, LOL!

"A wrecking crew responds to a complaint of a clogged kitchen drain."
==================

Tick off a grammy, you'll get the switch big time!

[biftonnorton]

11. Why Does AARP Hate America?!

I read this story and it made me so mad I spilled my KoolAid! Don't they know that only by giving our money to Wall Street and whatever other corporo-greed junkie comes along appealing to our fear and patriotism will this country prosper? There is currently a retiree volunteering at my kid's school! What kind of anarchist seditious BS might he be filling my kid's head with? :scared:

Yes, I'm trapped in a sar chasm.

[salin]

12. Saw a full page ad in the Indianapolis Star

on Saturday. It was very effective.

[intheozone]

13. All DU'ers should send AARP a small donation.

Hubby and I are talking about joining but even if we don't, we will send a donation and specify that it is to be used for the group's campaign against *s SS destruction.

[Athame]

15. Who says seniors aren't savvy media people

Great way to get the point across! :thumbsup:

I'm renewing my membership today and sending a donation to the group that is fighting for us.