AARP gears up to fight GOP over Medicaid budget cuts

[Rose Siding]

The already thorny work of hashing out a compromise on the vastly different budget resolutions passed by the House and Senate could be made more challenging if proposed Medicaid cuts prompt AARP to oppose the merged bill.

AARP already is facing off against the GOP over Social Security, actively campaigning against President Bush’s proposal to add private accounts to the program.

In 2003, the seniors organization played a pivotal role in the passage of Medicare prescription-drug-benefit legislation when it endorsed the bill favored by the White House and GOP leaders in Congress. The move angered AARP’s traditional allies in the Democratic Party, but the group appears to be looking to rehabilitate that relationship.

Since then, AARP has earned the ire of Republicans over Social Security and the group’s efforts to get Congress to permit drugs to be imported, among other changes to the Medicare drug benefit.

http://www.hillnews.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Frontpage/040705/aarp.html

[Mari333]

1. I rejoined the AARP

now that they are on the proper side of politics, and are fighting the GOP. And I let them know why I quit the first time, and then rejoined. If they keep their fight against the GOP going, Ill stay. If they sell out again, Ill quit again.

[ooglymoogly]

2. so did i

and i wrote to let them know why

[hvn_nbr_2]

8. What's actually going on with AARP?

The story I heard was that they had gotten a stealth Repug CEO, in something resembling a hostile takeover, and he was the reason they supported the Medicare drug plan. I've heard recently, but not heard anything specific, that someone else is now running the show and that's why they're back to their more traditional self. But I don't really know if either of those stories is true.

My membership is up for renewal and I've been delaying doing it until I find out whether I really want to or not.

Anybody know what the real story is? I know a lot of members left because of the Medicare drug thing. I've suspected that DeRoveFristLay would be happy either to take it over or destroy it by driving the membership away, and they were probably gleeful at the loss of members.

[ooglymoogly]

12. they lost 70,000 members over the medicare drug coverage theft

if memory serves and the ceo got flamed. they are trying to get back on track so i hope you join to let them know how important ss is to us and let them know why you are joining or re-upping.

[Arkansas Granny]

3. And I just joined

because they seem to be on the right side of this issue. Their talking points on this issue make a lot of sense to me.

[efhmc]

4. Let's see what happens. I may rejoin. Still so angry at the tacit campaign

help given to the bushies over the drug bill and other matters.

[unhappycamper]

5. I sent them $25 for anti-SS advertising costs

a few weeks ago. Guess I need to send them another $25 for Medicaid advertising. I look at this as a very cheap insurance policy.

edit for redundant redundancy

[flygal]

6. Now, they knew this stuff was going to happen last fall

why the hell didn't they campaign against *? They thought the prescription deal was so great? :shrug:

I just hate these people who are up in arms over this admin - <<<<<<<SHOCKER>>>>>>>>

[unhappycamper]

7. they were thinking that we'll take the drug deal now& fix it later.

I think AARP was surprised by the backlash from their membership for going along. I did not resign from AARP, but I bombarded them with nastygrams.

When * started the SS dog and pony show, I sent them an email telling them to pay attention to the swifties & the effect they had on public opinion. I suspect many others did the same thing, because the responded in short order.

I'm glad they have their head out of their ass. I will send them membership and advertising $$ as long as they represent me.

[drduffy]

9. I don't know..

I left when they betrayed us. I really want to know from them what the hell happened with the Medicare drug thing and now their reversal ...before I give my $ support. At least they should be candid with their membership (or in my case, exmembership). If they can't trust us...then I can't trust them.

[AnnInLa]

10. Anyone that the Swift Boat Liars are gunning for, I will support

USA Next=Charles Jarvis=Swift Boat Liars

I can't find this anywhere on the AARP website, but see if you can locate the most current edition of the AARP Bulletin, and begin reading on page 3. Was startled to see the following info in the article, which talks about "the real story behind the trash-AARP campaign":

"What is USA Next, and who is Charles Jarvis? USA Next is also known as United Seniors Association. Although the organization describes itself as a 1.5 million-plus nationwide greassroots network, its tax return for 2003 shows that of its $25.3 million in total revenue for the year, $24.8 million--nearly 98%-- came from a single unidentified contributor. Although it's uncertain who the deep-pocketed donor is, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, the drug industry's trade association, acknowledged providing an "unrestricted educational grant" to United Seniors in 2002 for political advocacy.

snip

United Seniors.....The organization's directors have included Jack Abramoff, a powerful Washington lobbyist who is currently under investigations for...."

((Think there is a DeLay connection, via Abramoff? Even if there isn't, I find it interesting that PHARMA may be bankrolling USA Next's attack on AARP.))

[struggle4progress]

11. kick

[Supersedeas]

13. and the MSM coverage of the Medicare issue amounts to = 0

[AuntiBush]

14. Go AARP!

At least someone is fighting for us! Go AARP!