In the film “Gran Torino,” Clint Eastwood referred to AARP as “armed and really pissed.” I say it stands for “all about rat-fink politics.”
When discussing the Affordable Care Act during the first presidential debate with Republican nominee Mitt Romney, President Obama said, “AARP thinks that the savings that we obtained from Medicare bolster the system, lengthen the Medicare trust fund by eight years.”
That prompted AARP to issue a media release stating in part: “While we respect the rights of each campaign to make its case to voters, AARP has never consented to the use of its name by any candidate or political campaign. AARP is a nonpartisan organization and we do not endorse political candidates nor coordinate with any candidate or political party.”
As it turns out, this may be a total fabrication. The U.S. House Ways and Means Committee unearthed a flurry of emails between AARP and senior White House staff during the Obamacare debate and negotiations.
For example, on Nov. 29, 2009, AARP Senior Vice President Nancy LeaMond emailed Deputy White House Chief of Staff Jim Messina this missive: “I am seized of concerns about extended coherent, strong messaging by Republicans on the Medicare savings in the bill. I would like to work closely with whoever is managing that part of the debate. I think we are going to need a concerted strategy employing the other seniors groups, an additional ad buy from us, statements from the hospitals, etc.”
Messina responded the following day, “You are exactly right. I am nervous so I pulled our whole messenging [sic] team into my office this morning to coordinate.”
The emails clearly indicate that AARP and the White House were working hand-in-glove with one goal in mind — passing the Affordable Care Act into law.
This might be overlooked but for one fact — AARP was clearly not working to serve its members’ wishes. In an email dated July 24, 2009, AARP’s Nora Super advised White House staffer Lauren Aronson, “I tried to call and you were out. We really need to talk. Our calls against reform are coming in 14 to 1.” Conclusion? AARP was working against the wishes of 93 percent of its members.
One reason AARP may have been pushing so strenuously for the Affordable Care Act’s passage in the face of such overwhelming resistance by its members is that the vast majority of its income is derived from acting as an insurance clearinghouse for its members — not from membership dues. And Obamacare’s passage would provide one more lucrative avenue of insurance revenue for AARP.
Mind you, I have nothing against profit. The profit motive is what makes capitalism the most successful economic system in the world. I do, however, have a bone to pick with an organization like AARP that places profit above the interests of the members it purports to serve.
Yep. All about rat-fink politics.
About Michael Dorstewitz
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Glad to see you have AARP all figured out. No way they could actually care about the availability of affordable health care for their members or other services they might need. Instead of health insurance they should open a casino and make tons of money so they can buy the next election.
And the GOP, it’s members and disciples are as pure as the driven snow!!! The empathy and feelings towards your fellow man displayed by these entities and your ilk are not only morally reprehensible, they are downright disgusting.
Now it all makes complete sense! I just couldn’t figure out why AARP would support something that so obviously hurts the economic stability of our senior programs. Knew something was fishy! Thanks for the clarification about AARP’s ‘really’ being in the insurance business! Although I enjoy their magazine they’ll never see another penny from me!
AARP and I parted ways a long time ago because I realized they did not put seniors interests first … only their own. They represent no one but themselves.
I cancelled my AARP because of things I received in the mail about obama care, and obama, cancelled but did not get a refund, check their old magazines they mail to members threw all of mine in the trash and everything else I get from them.
EXACTLY why I have let my membership lapse and will not rejoin. Instead of fighting/lobbying for the needs of the membership, they have become an insurance clearance house. To hell with the membership, they make money selling insurance!!
Do you really think they endorse all of these companies to help we seniors, cell phones, healthcare etc., I bet they make millions on each endorsement and get kickbacks on each of us that bites.
I figured aarp out over three years ago when I found the head of aarp is a personal friend of our president. He was before this position with aarp the president of Howard University. I just bet they weren’t too happy when aarp was mentioned by our president in the debate. Hello! Wake up 50′s and olders smell the bacon burning..
I have suspected something about aarp also. I have a friend that said she despises aarp & that they are corrupt. I guess she is right. Too bad crooks and money hungry mongers always mess things up. I have no respect for aarp anymore. Also, I am glad they mentioned aarp both the prez and joe biden as well.