Wednesday, June 15, 2011

AARP.........what do YOU think?

 I got this in email and thought I'd pass it on:

AARP's Fall from Grace

This letter was sent to Mr. Rand who is the Executive Director of AARP.
   

Dear Mr. Rand,     

        Recently you sent us a letter encouraging us to renew our lapsed membership in AARP by the requested date. I know it is not what you were looking for, but this is the most honest response I can give you. Our gap in coverage is merely a microscopic symptom of the real problem, a deepening lack of faith.   

        While we have proudly maintained our membership for several years and have long admired the AARP goals and principles, regrettably, we can no longer endorse it's abdication of our values. Your letter specifically stated that we can count on AARP to speak up for our rights, yet the voice we hear is not ours. Your offer of being kept up to date on important issues through DIVIDED WE FAIL presents neither an impartial view nor the one we have come to embrace. We do believe that when two parties agree all the time on everything presented to them, one is probably not necessary. But, when the opinions and long term goals are diametrically opposed, the divorce is imminent..  This is the philosophy which spawned our 200 years of government.        

          Once upon a time, we looked forward to being part of the senior demographic. We also looked to AARP to provide certain benefits and give our voice a power we could not possibly hope to achieve on our own. AARP gave us a sense of belonging which we no longer enjoy. The Socialist politics practiced by the Obama Regime and empowered by AARP serves only to raise the blood pressure my medical insurance strives to contain. Clearly a conflict of interest there!   

         We do not understand the AARP posture, feel greatly betrayed by the guiding forces that we expected to map out our senior years and leave your ranks with a great sense of regret. We mitigate that disappointment with the relief of knowing that we are not contributing to the problem anymore by renewing our membership.. There are numerous other organizations which offer discounts without threatening our way of life or offending our sensibilities.        

        This Obama Regime scares the living daylights out of us. Not just for ourselves, but for our proud and bloodstained heritage.
 But even more importantly for our children and grandchildren. Washington has rendered Soylent Green a prophetic cautionary tale rather than a nonfiction scare tactic. I have never in my life endorsed any militant or radical groups, yet now I find myself listening to them. I don't have to agree with them to appreciate the fear which birthed their existence. Their borderline insanity presents little more than a balance to the voice of the Socialist mindset in power. Perhaps I became American by a great stroke of luck in some cosmic uterine lottery, but in my adulthood I CHOOSE to embrace it and nurture the freedoms it represents as well as the responsibilities it requires.       

         Your website generously offers us the opportunity to receive all communication in Spanish. ARE YOU KIDDING???  The illegal perpetrators have broken into our 'house', invaded our home without our invitation or consent. The President has insisted we keep these illegal perpetrators in comfort and learn the perpetrator's language so we can communicate our reluctant welcome to them.   

      I  DON'T choose to welcome them.

      I DON’T choose to support them.      

      I  DON'T choose to educate them.      

      I  DON'T choose to medicate them, or pay for their food or clothing.   
 
      American home invaders get arrested.      

      Please explain to me why foreign lawbreakers can enjoy privileges on American soil that Americans do not get?      
 

      Why do some immigrants have to play the game to be welcomed and others only have to break the law & enter to be welcomed?   

      We travel for a living. Walt hauls horses all over this great country, averaging over 10,000 miles a month when he is out there. He meets more people than a politician on caffeine overdose. Of all the many good folks he enjoyed on this last 10,000 miles, this trip yielded only ONE supporter of the current Regime. One of us is out of touch with mainstream America . Since our poll is conducted without funding, I have more faith in it than ones that are driven by a need to yield AMNESTY.  (aka -  make voters out of the foreign lawbreakers so they can vote to continue the government's free handouts).   This addition of 10 to 20 Million voters who then will vote to continue Socialism will OVERWHELM our votes to control the government's free handouts.  It is a “slippery slope” we must not embark on!  

 As Margret Thatcher (former Prime Minister of Great Britain) once said
“Socialism is GREAT - UNTIL you run out of other people's money!”

      We have decided to forward this to everyone on our mailing list, and will encourage them to do the same.... With several hundred in my address book, I have every faith that the eventual exponential factor will make a credible statement to you.      

       I am disappointed as hell.        

       I am scared as hell.   


       I am ANGRY !!   

       I am MAD, and I'm NOT gonna take it anymore! 

                   Walt & Cyndy   
                   Miller Farms Equine Transport 

32 comments:

Always On Watch said...

This summer, I will have to start researching Medigap coverage for Mr. AOW, who will be eligible for Medicare in either September or April 2012.

Sadly, thus far with the minimal research I've already done, AARP seems to offer the best and the most affordable Medigap policies. **sigh**

Now, if Mr. AOW had worked for the federal government, he could get cost-effective Medigap coverage.

In principle, I don't support the AARP. In practice, I may have to.

Living by one's principles for a lifetime is well nigh impossible. Just a few years ago, I wasn't of that opinion -- but I am now.

lady di said...

My husband and I are already being solicited on a regular basis through the mail. The only 'folding' I will do is of the correspondence when I deposit it into the trash!

Bd said...

Ah yes, the main demographic of the GOP (and Fox News) older, uninformed and easily scared. Comments in the letter like "The Socialist politics practiced by the Obama Regime..." prove this.

Joe said...

Bd: "Comments in the letter like 'The Socialist politics practiced by the Obama Regime...' prove this."

No, they don't.

Chuck said...

While I feel bad for AOW and understand her dilemma, they can piss off as far as I'm concerned.

I see Bd practices the same idiocy that the Duck does, make some stupid and irrelevant attack without backing it up. The genius of the left on display.

This comes from watching too many hours of MSNBC. The theory there is if you repeat something like "Obama is not a socialist" enough times, people will begin to believe it. It's the old, "who are you going to believe, me or your lying eyes" bit.

Scotty said...

I wrote a similar letter to AARP two and a half years ago...

BB-Idaho said...

Been a member since 1993.
AARP is an 'association'.
Like the NRA, it advocates
for its membership (although it has ten times as many members). Like any
association, folks may join or quit as they choose for any reason.

Z said...

AOW, I know what you mean; it's beguiling, isn't it. There is, from what I hear, an excellent group competing with AARP now, which upholds Conservative values instead of taking the leftwing stances AARP does.
Does anybody here know the name? I just GOogled and found this, but I'm not sure they're huge enough, like AARP, to offer the same beneifts.
http://www.amac.us/amac-was-founded-to-be-your-alternative-to-aarp-2/
I also found this comment about AARP when I Googled "I left AARP because they opposed allowing individuals to put part of their social security in private accounts"

ladi di, good!

Chuck, real 'genius', yes :-)

BB...the point isn't that. That's like saying we should have nudity on TV 24/7 because we can just turn it off.
It's hard to belong to an organization which supports the kinds of platforms AARP does when you don't agree...and, let's face it, as AOW said, we're forced to take advantage of their better prices. Their membership numbers are falling...but they're not going away. Don't worry.

A spokesman says this ""We take stands on issues that are contentious, it's part of what we do," Nannis said. "And because we have so many members we'll always have a small percentage that disagree with us so strongly they feel they need to cancel membership." that's fair, I guess.
I just don't want to be involved in any group which I so vigorously disagree with, and I hope I never have to.

Ducky's here said...

The Socialist politics practiced by the Obama Regime and empowered by AARP serves only to raise the blood pressure my medical insurance strives to contain.

-----------------
AARP is primarily an insurance company. Is insurance socialistic?

Now, we on the left would be quite happy to eliminate medical insurance companies or make them non profit so just how is AARP empowering socialism?

(((Thought Criminal))) said...

Ah yes, the main demographic of the GOP (and Fox News) older, uninformed and easily scared.

Which is why the Democrats spend millions on making commercials like the one depicting an elderly woman in a wheelchair being pushed off a cliff...

Joe Conservative said...

Now, we on the left would be quite happy to eliminate medical insurance companies or make them non profit so just how is AARP empowering socialism?

Insurance is the "private socialism". Government regulation is "public socialism.". When government ORDERS you to BUY a little "private socialism", THAT insurance is now "public socialism" also.

Got it, ducky?

(((Thought Criminal))) said...

AARP is primarily an insurance company. Is insurance socialistic?

Now, we on the left would be quite happy to eliminate medical insurance companies or make them non profit so just how is AARP empowering socialism?


Now Ducky, you know I don't fall for the common misconception that leftists could possibly have anything intelligent to say, so help me out here.

The AARP lobbies Congress extensively for expansion of federal social welfare programs, and is quite politically active in campaigning against candidates, politicians, and proposed legislative actions to reform, shrink, or eliminate said federal social welfare programs.

How does this fact not answer your question?

Joe Conservative said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Always On Watch said...

Z,
AOW, I know what you mean; it's beguiling, isn't it.

Beyond beguiling.

We simply have to find something affordable.

Mr. AOW's monthly SSDI = $1236. Private health insurance with a $5000 out-of-pocket deductible = $669. The only reason that Mr. AOW got underwritten at all was HIPAA.

Over the course of our marriage, Mr. AOW, our employers, and I have paid in over $1 million in health-insurance premiums; the best that I can figure, we've obtained approximately $400,000 in insurance-covered medical services. Mr. AOW's brain surgery of 1993 was $100,000; his stroke and post-op care and therapy around $250,000. We required nearly no medical services until over the age of 44. Obviously, if we'd had no insurance coverage, we'd both be under the bridge -- or on welfare.

Always On Watch said...

Chuck,
While I feel bad for AOW and understand her dilemma, they can piss off as far as I'm concerned.

I used to feel that way.

At this point, I feel as if we've been scammed so badly that we have to grab whatever remedy we can find. The other alternative is divorce -- after 39 years of marriage. We simply cannot afford not to take Medicare and get AFFORDABLE gap insurance. Who besides the AARP offers good gap insurance?

Always On Watch said...

I've come to believe that the days of pure conservatism in America ended with FDR and were sunk for good by LBJ.

Z said...

AOW, did you try the site I left above:

http://www.amac.us/amac-was-founded-to-be-your-alternative-to-aarp-2/

Always On Watch said...

I just saw an AARP ad: apparently the gap policies are underwritten by United.

Scotty said...

You asked who else was out there besides AARP, Z? Its The American Seniors Association,ASA. Representing conservative seniors.

Z said...

Scotty, what about the one I linked above?

Scotty said...

Scotty, what about the one I linked above?

I forgot about Amac. To be honest they both talk a good talk but, I've been watching what they're doing before I make any comment on them or if they are what they are because it's all just words on both their web sites.

They both offer the discounts that us "senior" folks like to see but, I found when I was with AARP, I got better discounts with my AAA card!!

A lot of words there, just to say I don't know, eh? lol

Bob said...

AARP sucks, and that's all the bandwidth it deserves.

Bd, unwitting liberal foil, said: 'Comments in the letter like "The Socialist politics practiced by the Obama Regime..." prove this.

Obamacare is the very definition of socialism.

QED

I am glad Bd is around.

Bob
Spurious Missives

Bob said...

Duck's here said: "Now, we on the left would be quite happy to eliminate medical insurance companies or make them non profit ..."

Ducky, I don't understand why there is such antipathy for the health insurance business.

Is this a bias against insurance as a concept, or are you trying to say something about health insurance companies making a profit?

Bob
Spurious Missives

Bd said...

Chuck said "I see Bd practices the same idiocy that the Duck does, make some stupid and irrelevant attack without backing it up. The genius of the left on display. "

Using 'socialism' at every chance is backing nothing up, either my friend. It's just typical bumper sticker mentality. The main thought process of wingnuts.

beamish said:
Which is why the Democrats spend millions on making commercials like the one depicting an elderly woman in a wheelchair being pushed off a cliff...


We learned from the 'death panel' lies from the right a few years ago. Guess you forgot about this. Only in this instance, it is true. The GOP want to crush Medicaid which will put millions of seniors in peril. Vouchers will not cover what they need.

Joe said: Obamacare is the very definition of socialism.
You haven't a clue do you? How are insurance companies making millions even close to socialism? Think for yourself and stop parroting Sean Hannity.

You'd really rather go back allowing insurance companies to deny you coverage or cancel your policy if you get sick? Are you willing to jeopardize your family's well being as such?

Bachman was a fool and a liar at the debate with her job killing crap.

Joe Conservative said..."Insurance is the "private socialism". Government regulation is "public socialism.". When government ORDERS you to BUY a little "private socialism", THAT insurance is now "public socialism" also

WOOOW! LOL!!! Now there's logic!

Major said...

BD....a real example of "A Clockwork Orange / MSNBC / O'Donnell, Schultz and Madcow.

Z said...

"death panel" was a rough word, the lefties got offended "DEATH????"

Um.......ya, when you're not going to allow elderly certain care, you're playing GOD. If you think Obamacare will allow it, let us know....

My favorite Obama lie is "You can keep your insurance if you like it"...ya, except what insurance company will be able to compete with OBAMACARE? I want to keep mine desperately, my doctors are threatening to quit because they feel they know better about their patients than some jerk in D.C. at the end of their Blackberry to whom they have to say "MAY I GIVE THIS TEST TO THIS PATIENT?"

Even my husband's leftwinger specialist is going NUTS now.... "too much, too late, pal" is what my poor husband had to tell him "...I told you it would all go south".

and brother, has our WHOLE COUNTRY.

Bd, wake up and THINK. You sound so clearly indoctrinated it's almost scary. Then you stoop to FOX IS BAD! FOX IS BAD!
Ya, anything with two viewpoints is BAD. See? You really believe you and your ilk have all the answers.

You really think SOcialism's GOOD?

Thersites said...

The Left hates insurance companies because "private" socialism (insurance) COMPETES with government/"public" socialism.

They like like economies of scale... GLOBAL economies of scale (hence their U.N. Internationalist fetish).

Bob said...

Bd: As I said, I am glad you are there. You absolutely make my day, well, until you misquote me.

You attributed my comment to Joe, who is probably a very nice guy, but it was my wisdom you were bad-mouthing.

As to using the word "socialism", you will be pleased to know that there is a definite meaning, not some ethereal, floating, non-defined thing-a-ma-jiggy word in a Republican list of talking points.

Socialism is an economic and political model wherein the government owns the means of production, and allocates resources to individuals. Socialism, communism, National Socialism (Nazis), and Fascism are all cousins, being variations of socialism.

So, when someone makes a statement about Obama's socialistic policies, they are being specific. As a matter of fact, Obama is downright Facistic in some cases.

This is why it is correct to say that Obamacare is the very definition of socialism. Obamacare is pushing the nation's health care system to a single-payer model, and it allocates health care to individuals.

It is is irrefutable that the stripping of over 5oo Billon dollars from Medicare will result in rationing of health care to senior citizens, and Obama said so himself long before the passage of his system.

Rationing will lead to death panels. The Death Panels are there,and it is because of the socialistic nature of obamacare.

Is there something else I can help you understand?

Once again, I am glad you are there.

Bob
Spurious Missives

Z said...

bob..shhhhh! The best protected secret of the media and leftwing Profs is that it's leftwingers who are really Fascist, dontchaknow!

good comment!

Always On Watch said...

Scotty,
I've made note of the site you mentioned.

(((Thought Criminal))) said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
(((Thought Criminal))) said...

Which is why the Democrats spend millions on making commercials like the one depicting an elderly woman in a wheelchair being pushed off a cliff...

We learned from the 'death panel' lies from the right a few years ago. Guess you forgot about this. Only in this instance, it is true. The GOP want to crush Medicaid which will put millions of seniors in peril. Vouchers will not cover what they need.

But the billions Democrats spend demogoguing issues and making videos of elderly ladies being pushed off a cliff might.