AARP Draws Line In Sand: Prepared to go to war over any cuts to Social Security.

[kpete]

AARP Draws Line In Sand
David Kurtz | July 7, 2011, 12:24PM


AARP releases statement suggesting it's prepared to go to war over any cuts to Social Security. (It defends Medicare, too, but it saves its big guns for Social Security.)

.............
CEO Barry Rand issued a lengthy statement on Thursday demanding that the White House and Republican leaders take the issue off the table and address any changes to the programs in separate negotiations.

..............


"AARP is strongly opposed to any deficit reduction proposal that makes harmful cuts to vital Social Security and Medicare benefits," Rand said.

..........

"AARP will fight any cuts that are proposed to this important program, including proposals to reduce the cost of living adjustment for beneficiaries (COLA)--such as the proposed chained CPI--which AARP also believes should not be considered as part of the debt ceiling or deficit reduction negotiations," he said.

..........

the rest (plus full statement):
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/07/aarp-not-happy-with-latest-debt-ceiling-proposals.php

[meegbear]

1. Bravo Marge ... I mean AARP

[trueblue2007]

13. i hope AARP stands strong against cuts to medicare & social security

if AARP caves, i will not re-enroll and pay my dues

[Poll_Blind]

2. The wording "harmful cuts"...Should that be taken at face value or is it weasel-wording?

I know WSJ said AARP was willing to roll with cuts, AARP said no, I wound up hearing a couple of conflicting things back and forth. If they want to roll with this bullshit, they're dead meat. I hope they're being authentic and truthful. Anyone have analysis on that angle, pro or con?

PB

[Poll_Blind]

8. I missed the "AARP will fight ANY cuts that are proposed..." Hopefully it's on the level. Because..

..we're going to need some fighting if the President and the GOP are on the same page when it comes to Social Security.

PB

[Atman]

11. "Harmful cuts" is definitely weasel-wording.

Jumped right out at me like a...well, a weasel.

.

[ladjf]

3. Perhaps our older citizens will now finally realize that the Republicans

are their enemies. nt

[Mojorabbit]

26. Why should they?

A huge segment who belong to AARP were just emailed a notice that Obama was thinking of cutting SS. I also got the same sort of notices from a multitude of organizations including NOW. THe message coming thru is Obama is agreeing with these cuts.

[ladjf]

27. You have a valid point. nt

[somone]

4. Their shifting sand

[ljm2002]

5. Took them long enough...

...they probably are hearing from their membership.

[DJ13]

6. They're right, SS doesnt impact the deficit, it has no reason to be a bargaining chip

Doesnt mean I'll trust the AARP on this issue yet.

[ProfessionalLeftist]

7. I don't trust AARP. Glad to see this but wouldn't count on it. n/t

[FiveGoodMen]

9. Medicare Part D

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medicare_Part_D#Criticisms

[RaleighNCDUer]

22. Yup.

me too.

[FreakinDJ]

10. AARP killed Bush's Privatisation - they'll Kill these proposals too

next your going to see a rush a Senators and House Dems wanting to jump on the Bandwagon

[RaleighNCDUer]

18. Bush's privitazation was dead in the water, with or withour AARP.

It's going to take a Democrat to privatize SS.

[FreakinDJ]

19. After AARP - even RATpubliCON Lawmakers opposed Bush

but it was AARP who fired the first shot

[RaleighNCDUer]

20. AARP had nothing to do with it - republicans turned on Bush's plan

because it was a stupid plan.

Dems were aligned against it, moderate republicans were against it, and the VAST majority of the population was against it.

AARP just wants to sell insurance. They have no other motive.

[FreakinDJ]

21. Only AFTER AARP publically came out against it

[chill_wind]

12. They'll have a company of a majority of Americans.

Don’t Do It
Poll: Majority Don’t Want Entitlement Cuts To Reduce Deficit
Jon Terbush | July 7, 2011, 11:35AM


Despite all the talk about cutting the deficit, neither party has wanted to be the first one to put entitlements on the chopping block. A Pew poll released Thursday explains why, as it shows that a robust majority of Americans don't want the government to rollback benefits for entitlement programs, even if those cuts are made to reduce the deficit.

Six in ten Americans said it was more important to leave Social Security and Medicare benefits untouched than to make cuts as a way to reduce the deficit, roughly twice as many as the 32% who said the opposite.Further, 61% said Medicare recipients already pay enough of their health costs, while 31% said beneficiaries should pay more money into the program.

Those findings come as several reports indicate that the White House may offer cuts to both Social Security and Medicare in exchange for Republican concessions on other fronts.

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/07/poll-majority-dont-want-entitlement-cuts-to-reduce-deficit.php?ref=fpb

[OHdem10]

14. Bravo!!! We will support your efforts AARP.

[Faryn Balyncd]

15. K and R

[Major Hogwash]

16. Sell them down the river!!! Hahaha!!!! AARP, indeed!! Who do they think they are?

Bunch of old goats who don't even vote, that's who!!

Get in the boat!
We're selling ya down the river.
Get gramps too, got room in the boat for him, too.

Got any more old, decrepit, out-of-date, useless people in that house?
Get 'em out here!!

Get in de boat!!

[damntexdem]

17. Hurrah for AARP, then.

I might rejoin after all.

[unhappycamper]

23. You're just a tad too late, Mr. Rand.

Here's what I did: I called AARP today, 6.23.2011, and cancelled my membership because of their stand on SS. I also told the service rep (Anshu) that I do not want any more mail from AARP. If they send me something with a return envelope I will duct tape it to a brick and return it.

Fuck you.

[xchrom]

24. ...

:thumbsup:

[deaniac21]

25. I don't believe what any insurance company says.

[StarburstClock]

28. Sure they are, then they put Chimp on the cover of their magazine

AARP has ZERO credibility.