Say It Ain't So, Joe!
I am not happy with this: Here is the Source of my Discomfort.
Being non-partisan means interacting with organizations on all sides of key issues – not just those whose views are identical to your own. AARP is committed to serving a diverse membership and fulfilling our responsibility to engage with groups and individuals with different perspectives on issues important to the 50+ and their families.In 2016, AARP paid a fee to ALEC, which gave us an opportunity to engage with state legislators and advance our members’ priorities from a position of strength at ALEC’s annual meeting.
AARP’s engagement with ALEC is NOT an endorsement of the organization’s policies either past or present. As is the case with other groups AARP engages with, there are many issues and areas where we strongly disagree with ALEC’s position or approach.
For example, AARP does NOT support ALEC’s model legislation on TABOR (Taxpayer Bill of Rights); a Constitutional Amendment for a Balanced Federal Budget, which is a direct attack on Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid; the repeal of the Affordable Care Act; nor the other model legislation posted on its website. AARP has advocated in opposition of these proposals in the states and in Congress and will continue to do so.
AARP monitors and values member input and we have taken note of all your comments.
Our goal is that all of our activities will come together to help shape and enrich the experience of aging for our members and for America.
AARP Online Community Team
How do you all think about dancing with the devil?
Comments
I saw this some time ago - don't remember when.
I emailed them, at the time, and said I would discontinue my membership if they continue to have a relationship with ALEC. They might not care. I haven't heard back.
"The “jumpers” reminded us that one day we will all face only one choice and that is how we will die, not how we will live." Chris Hedges on 9/11
Old News ?
Sorry, the oldest reference I could find was from late July 2016.
Yes,
July 2016 was some time ago in my world.
"The “jumpers” reminded us that one day we will all face only one choice and that is how we will die, not how we will live." Chris Hedges on 9/11
Annual Meeting Sponsors
But AARP does not support ALEC. Right.
They had to pay ALEC so they could have access to state
legislators? How's that work? That must mean that the State legislators work for ALEC.
Well, ALEC is just one of the many conflicts of interest of AARP which is why I tear up and toss every damn mailing I get from it. Which started when I was what, 13?
AARP's plastic cards make great scrapers.
Hey! my dear friends or soon-to-be's, JtC could use the donations to keep this site functioning for those of us who can still see the life preserver or flotsam in the water.
Having cake, eating too.
Neither Russia nor China is our enemy.
Neither Iran nor Venezuela are threatening America.
Cuba is a dead horse, stop beating it.
I was under the impression that
AARP had broken ties with ALEC?
"I can't understand why people are frightened of new ideas. I'm frightened of the old ones."
John Cage
AARP is big enough
to influence legislators on their own without having to prostitute themselves to ALEC.
AARP has been self-serving and indifferent to their
members for a long time. The fact that they belonged to ALEC didn't surprise me one bit. They say they are non-partisan, but they support the neoliberal cause.
"Religion is what keeps the poor from murdering the rich."--Napoleon
I dropped them years ago.
I joined when I became 50 or 55. I can't remember because that was 25 or 30 years ago. I do remember that I dropped my membership about 20 years ago because I could see what they were becoming. Or maybe they just weren't trying to hide it anymore. I think Dylan was right about parking meters and leaders. We are not a trustworthy species in large groups.
-Greed is not a virtue.
-Socialism: the radical idea of sharing.
-Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.
John F. Kennedy, In a speech at the White House, 1962
..."humans" are herd animals (apparently, by design) --
When Cicero had finished speaking, the people said “How well he spoke”.
When Demosthenes had finished speaking, the people said “Let us march”.
Remember AARP support for Medicare Cuts?
AARP was all over this, crowing about what a wonderful thing this was going to be. "Medicare Will Be Saved!"
More money for 1% owners of Insurance providers at the expense of the public good? Some benefit!
Vowing To Oppose Everything Trump Attempts.
Why does ALEC control who can engage
with state legislators? I don't pay taxes so ALEC can do that.
Is this something we should be calling our state reps about? Or is AARP bsing?