Aarp - Page 5

jym626 · 08-21-2012, 12:43 PM

thanks, patsmom- will look into it, now that I have my free one year renewal

And as for comments about AARP's politics, since it is what may be the deciding factor to sign up or not sign up for AARP, I think it is appropriate to mention in the thread. FWIW.

razorsharp · 08-21-2012, 01:02 PM

Quote:

This isn't a thread about AARP's political stance.

AARP is a political lobby first and foremost. This thread is about joining a lobbying organization pretending to be a provider of discounts. Only if you stick your head in the sand an pretend it is not a lobby group can anyone justify being a member. AARP has only one agenda that that agenda is --- more. More government benefits for seniors, more money taken from our children and grandchildren for seniors. I don't trade stocks in tobacco companies because they are killing people. I cannot send money to AARP who is trying to take as much money as possible from younger generations.

NYMomof2 · 08-21-2012, 01:12 PM

Miami, Can you say more about how they betrayed their membership? I am thinking about joining but will have to look into the politics first.

Hondu · 08-21-2012, 05:05 PM

Like most optional things, if you don't like it because of politics then join another group. I may not agree will all aspects of AARP's agenda but I have been enjoying the hotel discounts for 8 years so far. We just stayed in two rooms in Times Square for two days and the AARP discount surpassed a 3 year membership fee.

busdriver11 · 08-21-2012, 08:43 PM

I wouldn't mind spending the small amount that it costs for membership, but I get so many discounts on hotel rooms with AAA, that it hardly seems worth it. Plus when I get old enough, seems that many restaurants have senior discounts on their menu. I don't know if I can bear to carry another card in my wallet.

NYMom, I am guessing that what Miami is referring to is that they supported the latest health care law, which cuts over 700 Billion dollars from medicare, to fund other people into the program. Now people can spin it as much as they want, but I don't think many really believe that money is coming from "fraud, waste and abuse", and somehow providers are going to take lower payments and still offer the same services. It seems like they really sold out their membership in this regard. I would be angry if I was a senior and expected them to stand up for my interests. But I'm not, and I really don't know what I think about that situation, whether it is right or not overall. Just guessing that is why many are angry with AARP.

NYMomof2 · 08-21-2012, 09:14 PM

Thanks for the explanation, busdriver.

calmom · 08-22-2012, 03:15 AM

Re post #65 -- that is simply an untrue characterization. There is no "cut" -- there is a reduction of future growth. (If you expected a 3% cost of living increase in your salary for the coming year, and your employer decided that they could only afford a 2% increase - you would get less from your paycheck than you had hoped, but it still would be more than you had been getting before and it wouldn't be the same as a pay cut)

I don't want to get into a political debate -- but here is what Factcheck says:

Quote:

As we have written many times, the law does not slash the current Medicare budget by $500 billion. Rather, that’s a $500 billion reduction in the future growth of Medicare over 10 years, or about a 7 percent reduction in growth over the decade. In other words, Medicare spending would continue to rise, just not as much. The law stipulates that guaranteed Medicare benefits won’t be reduced, and it adds some new benefits, such as improved coverage for pharmaceuticals.

Most of those savings come from a reduction in the future growth of payments to hospitals and other providers (not physicians), and a reduction in payments to private Medicare Advantage plans to bring those payments in line with traditional Medicare. (MA plans have been paid more per beneficiary than traditional Medicare.)

Source: FactCheck.org : Romney, Obama Uphold Health Care Falsehoods

churchmusicmom · 08-22-2012, 06:21 AM

I am not planning to join because I do not want to be "represented" by AARP, nor do I support their politics.

MiamiDAP · 08-22-2012, 10:12 AM

"Miami, Can you say more about how they betrayed their membership? "
It was not on a personal basis, it was general. I left when many others were leaving thugh. You have to decide for yourself personally. Sorry, cannot say more than that.

NYMomof2 · 08-22-2012, 10:24 AM

I understand, Miami.

calmom, thank you so much for the information. It's very helpful.

artrell · 08-22-2012, 11:22 AM

Thanks calmom, I tell a lot of people to use Factcheck before they believe all the untrue hype that is tossed around these days. I use it often.

razorsharp · 08-22-2012, 11:27 AM

Here are some alternatives to AARP.

Alternative Organizations to AARP | eHow.com

cottonwood513 · 08-22-2012, 11:55 AM

Calmom, thank you for finding the correct info.

Lergnom · 08-22-2012, 12:36 PM

I assume, razorsharp, that you're opposed to all organizations that lobby: the NRA, pro and antiabortion groups, the chamber of commerce, the petroleum industry. Heaven forbid that in a democracy people argue for points of view, especially those you don't agree with.

MiamiDAP · 08-22-2012, 01:39 PM

My alternative to AARP is to work until I am kicked out. I will not leave on my own. Job provides the biggest entertainment any way. Most of other activities are getting very boring with age and it is sad. I have no idea what I would do if I do not work. AARP will not solve this problem for my ayway.