Reply #16: Something happened to the AARP [View All]

[howaboutme]

back in the early 2000 when Novelli came in as CEO and they were able to change the by-laws that stripped the once bottom up state control of the national organization, to a top down CEO directed corporation Up until that point they were unabashedly an advocate organization for seniors and every Congressman recognized their strength as a lobby. They went from a mission of senior advocacy to a compromised commercial entity that supported the Republican Medicare Part D that benefited big PHRMA. Ever since this change they looked at advocacy but through a commercial prism.

Frankly I would like to see the old AARP back that was grass roots run and dues dependent organization that aggressively supported senior issues totally and that divested their commercial interests. I would join again. Their membership has stagnated because of this. There was apparently much anger on DU about AARP back in the Bush years.

I'd like to see all big non-profits under a microscope.