This retiree group interests me. Anyone know more about it?

[madfloridian]

http://www.retiredamericans.org/about.htm

We just cancelled AARP with uncontrolled rage, and we are looking for another voice.

This looks interesting to me. I am cautious because there are a couple of groups that are not what they seem to be. They used to hound my mother, but I can't remember the names.

[Tatiana]

1. Not sure.

But it sounds like it may have promise:

ALLIANCE FOR RETIRED AMERICANS
STRONGLY OPPOSES THE REPUBLICAN EFFORT
TO PRIVATIZE MEDICARE

A Statement by Edward F. Coyle,
Executive Director, Alliance for Retired Americans

Washington, D.C.—The Alliance for Retired Americans categorically opposes the proposed Medicare bill being touted by Republican leaders on Capitol Hill. The Bush Administration and Congress are callously using a much needed and long awaited prescription drug benefit to privatize Medicare. Under the proposed bill, Medicare as we know it will cease to exist. They may say they are looking out for seniors, but they are really protecting the profits of the big pharmaceutical companies and insuring increased profits for the insurance industry.

Under the Republican plan, seniors will have to join a private health plan with higher premiums. Millions of retirees may lose their employer-provided health care. America’s seniors will not be fooled by television ads, paid for by special interests, with actors asking Congress “when are you going to get it done?” Real seniors, and the Alliance represents three million of them around the nation, are not asking when are you going get it done but what are you going to do? Right now the answer they’re getting from Congress is “we’re going to raise your premiums, force you into HMOs and PPOs all while we do nothing to bring down the costs of prescription drugs.” That is not the answer seniors have been waiting for. They are waiting for Congress to add a prescription drug benefit to the most effective, most successful, most efficient health insurance program in the nation—Medicare. They don’t want to end Medicare but add prescription drugs to it. It’s not about declaring political victory, it’s about doing what’s right for seniors. Seniors won’t be fooled. They know a lemon when they see it, and the GOP is offering seniors a lemon of a bill


http://www.retiredamericans.org/pr/2003/pr1117.htm

[shanti]

2. is this like the gray panthers?

anyone?

[madfloridian]

5. What is the Gray Panthers?

:hi:

[shanti]

7. hi back:-)

here ya go:

http://www.graypanthers.org/

[Gloria]

3. Alliance for Retired Persons is for retired

union members, but is open to others. Union members with long service get free membership; others pay $10 a year.
It is definitely a progressive organization and member-driven, not like AARP which is GOP infiltrated and a big marketing machine.

I found out about the ALLiance after I had joined AARP. I lapsed from AARP after 1 year because I could see they were not committing to the right type of drug plan; they were dancing all over the place on it.

Alliance has 3 million members, much less than AARP. They deserve a second look.

[madfloridian]

4. Just talked to them. They sound great. Phones getting busy.

The membership chairman had just gotten off the phone with a very mad lady from NY. They are sending us applications, and doing so happily.

He said the phone was ringing again. Had to go. Ha Ha.

Yes, anyone can join, and their views are certainly more like ours than AARP.

[madfloridian]

6. Here is a page of groups that partner with them.

http://www.retiredamericans.org/about_partners.htm