Posted on 06/06/2005 9:21:18 PM PDT by CHARLITE
AARP members recently received a letter from its CEO, Bill Novelli, asking us to help him raise money to defeat the Social Security plan as described by President Bush. As a long-time member, I was so furious by this request from AARP, I had to cool off before answering. This is a copy of my reply. Do any other members or readers agree with me?
Mr. Bill Novelli, CEO
AARP 601 E. Street, NW
Washington, DC 20049
Dear Mr. Novelli,
Thank you for sending me your letter requesting money from us seniors to stop the plans (as you wrote) “to change the Social Security program as you and I know it — trading a proven system for another one that could seriously threaten the future security of millions of Americans.”
You also describe the present system as an insurance plan that was never meant to be an investment program. You even call such investments, “risky.”
Obviously, we seniors, who are part of Tom Brokaw’s “Greatest Generation,” are smart enough to know the following:
1. The current program designed by President Roosevelt was never an insurance plan; it was a “Ponzi scheme,” relying on hundreds of young citizens to contribute money to pay for the few seniors. Now that the pyramid has been turned upside down, there are fewer workers to support the many hundreds of retired seniors.
2.The reform plan will not affect my generation as it is only designed for the younger generations to insure that they will have some money when they retire.
3. It is a lie to call this reform by President Bush an “investment plan.” One can VOLUNTEER to choose the private investment, but it is limited to a maximum of only 4%! In addition, it has to be in a conservative fund program that pays a much higher interest rate than one would receive if he or she had just kept the 4% with Social Security.
4. There will be no stock gambling allowed. AARP sells similar funds, but I have never heard you warn us that your fund plans were risky! Is AARP concerned with potential competition?
5. More importantly, President Bush announced that one will OWN this investment portion, able to pass it on to a spouse or children or to a charity of choice. This is not true of our current S.S. when we die.
Instead of helping us members, you seem to be more willing to help Democrats or Socialists who want to increase our taxes and redistribute our hard-earned income as well as that of our children and grandchildren. We are trying to teach the youth of America the advantages of ownership and the value of keeping what they earn; you seem to be doing the opposite.
Perhaps it is time for us all to look for membership in a different organization that is more concerned with the welfare of future seniors. The current AARP seems only to want to elect those who will tax our future. Is the Sheriff of Nottingham being revived to steal everyone’s money via heavy taxes?
You can be sure that there are many of us seniors who are proud to live in the America envisioned by our founders, not one that becomes similar to the socialism that has taken over much of Europe and Canada.
Sincerely,
Lee Ellis
About the Writer: Lee Ellis is a retired journalist and a former vice president of both CBS and Gannet. He resides in Indio, California, where he write op-eds that appear in several local newspapers. Lee receives e-mail at indiolee@dc.rr.com.
bump for the morning
Wow. I didn't realize they did that. Now THAT'S an interesting twist!
Bravo!
Lemme know.
Congressman Billybob
At least I've convinced one retired person what AARP is about. She is no longer a member and is busy spreading the word.
Good write up. AARP is so political it makes me sick.
According to Art Linkletter "I can tell you there is a dynamic organization focused completely on excellence and making good things happen for our families in America. This group focuses on recovering the powerful principles that informed and animated America’s Founders. USA Next is the group.
"USA Next is a national leader that stands out from the crowd. George Will, the nationally syndicated columnist, and the National Journal wrote about USA as the top of “the six most successful” citizen action organizations in America. Think of that! Out of the innumerable groups begging for your attention, USA Next was at the top of the most successful! Isn’t that the kind of organization in which you want to make careful “investments” of your time, your talents, and your treasure? That’s one reason I love being associated with this outstanding group and serve as the National Chairman of USA Next.
"I would like you to be a part of USA Next with me."
USA Next offers as many discount programs as AARP, and at prices that in some cases even beat the savings offered by AARP. USA Next offers savings of up to 70% on hotel rooms, savings on rental cars, airline tickets, and cruises. They have discount programs for buying cars, both new and used. USA Next offers savings on long distance, flowers and gifts, and even has their own conservative book club.
When it comes to health care, USA Next features up to 50% savings on prescription drugs at participating pharmacies, or you can call their toll free number and have your prescriptions delivered right to your door. They have programs that will save you money on long term care insurance, vitamins and nutritional supplements, dental services, eye care, hearing devices, and even a plan providing a group rate for Medicare supplemental insurance.
When it comes to your finances, USA Next brings you savings on auto, homeowners, life & health insurance, planning & investment advice from Jonathan Pond, and great rates on your savings, CDs, & IRAs. They can help you find the best deal on legal services, as well as protecting your credit rating.
So how much does all this cost? Basic membership is just $12.50/year. And membership to USA Next is not restricted. Anyone of any age is eligible to join, and membership is nearly instant if you sign up online. Their website is usanext.org. You might want to simply compare them to AARP and see which suits you better.
Unless and until the AARP starts backing the President's plan on Social Security and the private accounts, I have no interest in your organization.
Then I mailed it on their dime.
Thanks for this. I've posted a copy on my local Republican Party's county website.
I sent a similar note in their postage paid envelope. Each time they send me an invitation to join I send it back without my name with a note at their expense. Everyone should do this to run up their postage expense.
Thanks so much. I've seen Art Linkletter promoting usa next.org on Fox, but just needed your "nudge" to start emailing people about it.
Char :)
Indio... That's up on the north side of the Salton Sea near Coachella. Don't ask me how I know that...
Char :)
Tape some washers into the envelope so they have to pay more.
Good point. Is there an alternative to AARP? One that has the insurance plans that they offer?
Lee Ellis was a member of AARP before he got that letter and he didn't already know that it was a socialist organization?
Has he had his head up his *** all this time?
Good post, but I was already aware of that because I belong to USANext and I informed myself. I've been hammering on Pres. Bush's SS plan to my kids and their families since the get-go. Anyone with half a brain can see the good sense in such a plan, that is, anyone except the AARP crowd, hell, they're Socialists.
bttt
I let in to my 68 Year Old mother the other day when she made a comment that under Bush's plan there wouldn't be any SS left. I asked her what what was that sh*t she was spewing and she said the seniors group told her that.
I educated her on the federal employee plan and it's 100% optional ETC. BUT I still think she believes the seniors ?
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