Republicans take aim at AARP

[ProSense]

REPUBLICANS TAKE AIM AT AARP....

I suppose this was inevitable.

Newly empowered House Republicans are getting ready to renew their attacks against AARP over its support for the healthcare reform law, The Hill has learned.

The Ways and Means health and oversight subcommittees are hauling in the seniors lobby's executives before the panel for an April 1 hearing on how the group stands to benefit from the law, among other topics. Republicans say AARP supported the law's $200 billion in cuts to the Medicare Advantage program because it stands to gain financially as seniors replace their MA plans with Medicare supplemental insurance -- or Medigap -- policies endorsed by the association.

The hearing will cover not only Medigap but "AARP's organizational structure, management, and financial growth over the last decade."

It's what House GOP majorities tend to best: identify rivals, launch fishing expeditions, stay on the offensive.

I spoke to AARP spokesperson Drew Nannis, who told me, "AARP has a long-standing and good working relationship with Congress and we look forward to appearing before the Committee on behalf of our millions of members, and the entire 50+ population, on April 1st. AARP is committed to transparency, and the hearing will provide us yet another opportunity to answer any questions as we continue to be a champion for the wants and needs of Americans 50-plus."

<...>

But also note that these same House Republicans intend, very soon, to launch a crusade against entitlements, including Medicare, as part of a larger budget strategy. With the AARP all but certain to oppose the GOP schemes, it also stands to reason that Republicans would want to undermine the credibility and standing of the powerful group that stands in the party's way.

It's thuggish behavior on the part of congressional Republicans, but it's also predictable.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. Damn right.

I did recommend your post, but the un-reccers have already been busy here.

[no_hypocrisy]

2. AARP helped * and his henchmen in Congress get Part D (meds) of Medicare.

How soon they forget.

[RufusTFirefly]

4. Yes. It's a bit like blaming the "liberal media."

You take an already compliant, largely conservative and corporatist organization and force it to move even further to the right in response to specious accusations.

[annabanana]

19. I remember that.. and it TOTALLY pissed me off. . .n/t

[Sheepshank]

3. So does AARP let their members know

that they are fighting not only for HCR but to keep Medicare out of the hands of the Reps?

BTW and ETA...isn't AARP dorta kinda socialist and Union all rolled into one...no wonder the Reps are out to seek and destroy.

[demosincebirth]

12. AARP for years has been trying to toe the impartiality line, but reporting the facts

has brought on the wrath of the teabaggers and repubs. You know the way the wingers love FACTS

[lib_wit_it]

5. AARP lost a lot of members for not opposing "Obama Care." But even before that, the right was down

on AARP. I remember, about 3 years ago, wondering if I should accept AARP's invitation to join. I can across a right wing diatribe against them which pretty much made the decision for me to join.

[toddwv]

6. Political suicide.

Older, whiter, religious. That's the stable voting core of the current right. 2 out of 3 just ain't gonna cut it in terms of upcoming elections. Fortunately for the right, they have an effective disinformation campaign that people see to believe without question.

[The Backlash Cometh]

7. Which once again illustrates the adage,

that we either all hang together, or we shall certainly hang separately.

Well, Seniors. Since you didn't back the Dems, whose going to help you now?

[Sirveri]

8. Go GOP, attack a group that organizes the retired.

Makes me wonder how many demographics they'll have left to target after this.

[DBoon]

9. They are out to systematically destroy any group that disagrees with them

They are not a parliamentary political party functioning within a representative democracy. They do not bargain, they do not compromise, they do not admit the legitimate existence of political opposition.

The modern republican party is more like the totalitarian monoliths of the 20th century - out to set itself up as the sole governing authority and crushing anything that gets in the way

[Dawson Leery]

13. Certainly that is what the right wing is about.

[DBoon]

10. so when is James O'Keefe going to "punk" AARP

nt

[Proud Liberal Dem]

16. Can he even afford to?

I thought he was broke/in debt and unable to do anything to continue his "work". :eyes:

[TygrBright]

11. They're turning on their own stooges, now. Predictable.

I'll never forget (or forgive) the AARP's sellout of America's seniors to Big Pharma during the * era.

Yes, they do some good stuff, too, but they are no longer an advocacy group for seniors. They are more of a marketing tool TO seniors that can be used by any corporate marketing department willing to make nice with donations and/or the right spin on the crap they want seniors to buy.

And yes, they occasionally write a letter in support of something that benefits seniors, and/or tell seniors about an issue that affects them. As a way of maintaining their "cred" among the relatively uncritical majority who don't see just how flabby and dessicated the laurels that AARP rests on have become.

Bend over, seniors, here it comes again.

cynically,
Bright

[ieoeja]

17. Didn't some Rightists run a stealth campaign to take over the AARP?

And weren't they voted out after their Medicare Part D shenanigans? I thought I read that on DU at the time.

[On the Road]

14. Somehow I Think They Picked the Wrong Group to Go After

especially if AARP starts telling their base the Republicans are after their health care.

The GOP has really adopted a kamikaze approach recently. It has to backfire.

[old mark]

15. K&R- The GOP is against whatever they are against with no reason

that anyone with intelligence can discern. If it suits their "philosophy" to have people starve in the streets and die because they can't pay for their overpriced medication, then, as Mr. Boehner said, "So be it."
Republicans are anti-American trash and it about time more people understand that.

mark

[and-justice-for-all]

18. I do not think this is creating any fucking jobs!!!!!!!

puke assholes.

[jillan]

20. Let's start to add this up. The Repugs lost the Latino vote, the middle class vote and now are

going to lose the Senior Citizen vote.

Next?