The Right-Wing War on the AARP

[Are_grits_groceries]

Last week, Republican Congressmen Dave Reichert (R-WA) and Mike Pence (R-IN) implied the nation's leading organization for seniors was in for the ACORN treatment from the GOP and its media allies. Despite the thorough debunking of right-wing claims that Democratic health care reform proposals would slash Medicare benefits for46 million American elderly:

Pence and Reichert suggested that support was the result of corruption inside the AARP and not based on the interests of its membership.

"What you've got here is a backroom deal," Pence said of reform measures expected to be introduced by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid this afternoon. "Democrats are protecting the salaries of the heads of groups like AARP while cutting Medicare"...

The GOP is using more than just rhetoric to go after the group. Rep. Dave Reichert (R-WA) claims to have launched an investigation into AARP in his home state. Reichert says his "ongoing" investigation focuses on whether AARP should be classified as an insurance company because of its revenue from royalties the group gets from licensing its brand for insurance products.

http://crooksandliars.com/

More strategery. Taking on a well-funded organization of 40 million members who are politically active is certainly the way to enhance your party.

The AARP has the money to hire really nasty lawyers to meet any possible legal challenges. If they think teabaggers were effective, wait until the AARP members let loose.

They are going to find out that this isn't ACORN.

[SpiralHawk]

1. More Republicon FAIL strategery

Republicon strategery: prove to everyone that you are a party of small-minded dickwads led by a flock of chickenhawk hate mongers.

[bobburgster]

2. They must be burning over the endorsement.

If my memory is correct the AARP endorsement has been a stalwart of Republican politicians in elections past.

[Are_grits_groceries]

3. Yes they are.

Back in 2003, Republican leaders praised the AARP for its support of President Bush's unfunded and deeply flawed Medicare prescription benefit. But now that the 40 million member organization has endorsed the House Democrats' health care reform bill, the GOP is declaring war on its one-time ally. Helping lead the attack is an array of industry-funded front groups and their reactionary has-been spokesmen like Pat Boone.

http://crooksandliars.com/

When Pat Boone is on your side, can Gawd be far behind? (He can if he has any taste in music.)

[tomm2thumbs]

4. Granny is gonna come back from the dead to knock these suckers out

AARP isn't gonna let the GOP ruin a smart thing.

[Are_grits_groceries]

5. If there is one group that I

wouldn't want to arouse, it would be the AARP. They are mean and they take no prisoners.

[ChicagoSuz219]

6. Thinking I should join AARP this week...

...if you're eligible (over 50) & not a member yet, this might be a good week to join to show our support for their support.

[bobburgster]

13. Funny you said that.....was thinking the same thing.

huh, just tried, but couldn't register online...experiencing difficulties they said. Hope those difficulties have to do with a lot of people signing up.

[madrchsod]

7. that`s one thing they don`t want to do

piss off us baby boomer's....we are granny and grampa and we ain`t going to roll over and die.....

[eridani]

8. Too bad I can't quit AARP again over their endorsement of age discrimination

I already did that when they endorsed that Medicare Part "Disaster" abortion.

[emilyg]

14. I did, too.

[pipoman]

9. AARP is a front for insurance profiteers just like AAA....n/t

[RebelOne]

10. It may be a front, but I have my car and mobile home insurance

through AARP. The rates are less than anywhere else.

[pipoman]

11. My point is that they are not

advocates for retired people, they are insurance profiteers. They provide group insurance. Their premiums are group rates on policies underwritten by the lowest bidder.

[Blue_In_AK]

15. Perhaps they are insurance profiteers

but they cover what they say they're going to, at least in the experience of our family. My mother-in-law, who passed away this summer, had AARP supplemental insurance (very reasonable premiums) that picked up every penny of what Medicare didn't cover. She was in the hospital for over a month, had quadruple bypass surgery followed by pneumonia, lots of extraordinary medical attention, but the estate was not left with any outstanding bills.

[pipoman]

16. I don't disagree

that they usually offer decent coverage. In my state AARP is a Blue Cross/Blue Shield group. They are fine as long as people realize that they are simply an insurance provider. They have for years portrayed themselves as advocates for retired people which is simply a gimmick to sell medicare supplement and nursing home insurance, IMHO.

[1955doubledie]

12. What's next? "The GOP takes on NRA"?

:crazy:

Nothing like committing political suicide.

[DainBramaged]

17. Republican fail

[MadMaddie]

18. It's amazing to me how the Right Wing continues to blindly

overplay their hand, they have been found out and they are loosing....I am enjoying the show I have to admit!!:popcorn: