AARP's political agenda is not in the best interests of seniors

Union Leader ^ | 8/22/03 | JACK STRAYER

[JoeSixPack1]

Seniors vote, one way or the other. $12.50 a year is an easy return with bonus if you use the discounts. So saying that that money is a donation to socialistic lobbyism is par for the course, but also lacking in accountability.

But, I can only hope my one legal vote counters the socialism that my $12.50 bought.

<|:-)~~

[Maceman]

I have refused to join AARP because of their leftist political activism. They can keep their discounts.

[snopercod]

Unfortunately, your $12.50 per year is being used to turn America into the Soviet Union, and your name is on the list of those who support that idea, whether you do or not.

It is moral treason to financially support those who would destroy you.

[G.Mason]

Simply a socialist, pandering, "ask what the country can do for you" enterprise.

Discounts?

Nothing more than most any business would give seniors without an AARP membership.

[grania]

But, I can only hope my one legal vote counters the socialism that my $12.50 bought.

It really doesn't. You're part of the claim of representing however many millions of Seniors.

I won't join:

1. After years of forced membership in teachers unions I almost never agreed with that never asked my opinion, it's great to be able to say "no" to these commies who never ask their members opinion.

2. I was really, really irritated when I hit 50 and my mail box constantly had junk from them that advertised on the envelope that I was old enough to join AARP.

[LS]

I got my annual "recruiting" letter from the AARPies, and I sent it back with a note: "I do not support anything your organization stands for, and I have sent what you have requested as dues to the Bush campaign."

[kattracks]

Bravo!

[Trust but Verify]

Good for all of those who don't send 'membership' dues to that pathetic organization which claims to 'help' seniors. ALl they do is help themselves to the senior's money, and use it to help themselves to the rest of ours. I'm only 7 years from being a 'senior'. They are going to get a piece of my mind if they dare start sending me crap telling me I'm old enough to join.

[sgtbono2002]

There is no doubt that AARP is not Representative of the Conservative members. Funny thing is you can get their discount without their card. Most Motels I have stayed at give the discount at the mere mention of AArp they seldom ask for the card anyway.

[Dudoight]

Same here. Most people don't check into AARP's agenda. I wouldn't send them a nickle, they don't represent me. We need a movement to expose AARP.

[driftless]

My reaction was similar to yours. I just refuse to join something that everyone else my age is joining just because it's the "smart" thing to do. And I disliked the idea of sheep-like joining an organization just because I turned fifty, and you're supposed to join.

[grania]

And I disliked the idea of sheep-like joining an organization just because I turned fifty, and you're supposed to join.

I've wondered where they could get such a complete list of those who reach 50 unless it was a government agency. Hmmm...

[texson66]

I starting receiving AARP membership invitations before I was 54. They continually send me such letters at least every other month. I will NOT join AARP. I am responsible for my own care after retirement, not the f'ng government. The AARP is a symtom of a socialist society....we'll help you get more at the pig trough if you'll send us your $$!

[rightazrain]

I also refuse to join, Kattracks, and what irritates me is that they have a monopoly on the discount scheme at hotels.
Membership in other retired organizations just doesn't hack it.

Their social engineering agenda would be a good topic for O'Reilly or Rush to take on!

[JoeSixPack1]

It is moral treason to financially support those who would destroy you.

I did want input as to thoughts on AARP, but you're fringe loony.

[wita]

It was apparent to those observing, that long before the klinton administration, uurp was not something one with principles should be a part of. It became more than obvious during the klinton administration, that uurp was using seniors money to run a leftwing political organization, with the assurance that most contributors were clueless. The discounts are the carrot, and a pretty small one at that. Reminds me of what some people will sell their souls for.

[GunsareOK]

Well then, count me as another "fringe loony." I sent their literature back to them in their own postpaid envelope with a note saying that I don't endorse their left-wing gun control agenda and would thank them for removing my name from their mailing list. They sent a snippy reply back to me but I haven't received any more of their literature. I plan to print this out and stuff it in any future reply envelopes I get from them.

[jim_trent]

Same here. I sent a letter back saying that I would not join them because they wanted to take my guns away. They wrote back that the NRA was smearing them. The AARP did not want to take everyones guns away, just those in the wrong hands (plus ALL semi-automatics of all kind). Guess what. You and I have the wrong hands.

They continued to send me letters to join for a while after that, but I copied my original letter and returned it (in their envelope) each time. After a while, their letters stopped coming.

[grania]

SnoperCod: It is moral treason to financially support those who would destroy you.

JoeSixPack1: I did want input as to thoughts on AARP, but you're fringe loony.

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JSP1: Why is it "looney" to stand up for your beliefs? If you're not willing to spend a few extra bucks on a hotel room instead of contributing to an organization that is devoted to taking away your freedom and rights, now just where will you be able to go in the future, anyway? And, as someone on the thread wrote, there are discounts at many places for all seniors. I'd rather not patronize a place that would charge less for AARP members, anyway.

My problem with them is the medical. They are part of the agenda that would take away my access to many natural alternatives to pharmacuticals. How? A nationalized health care system with forced membership will eventually overtake choice with more restrictions.

Besides that, it never was any of their business to know when I reached a certain age. Nobody had permission to tell them that.

You have to look at the total picture. Is the damage the AARP does to your freedom and your future worth that small financial savings?