AARP a joke? Ineffective for us most of us?

[susancruzs]

I cancelled my membership recently because I just didn't see that it relates to me. Seems now the major interest is just selling insurance and alot of their information just doesn't seem to fit my particular situation. Like the retirement magazine I got where the lowest price place was over $200,000. yeah, right!

[goldengrain]

Originally Posted by Tightwad

While I agree that AARP is not perfect, what is?, they do give a voice to folk's who wouldn't
have one any other way. As to their products, they have to pay the freight somehow but not
on my nickle since I can do better on my own. At best they are the insurer of last resort for
millions of folk's.

Well, with the backing of the Bush drug program they only gave a voice to the insurance companies. That was so low. I will never forget how they betrayed the very people who they claimed to support. They seem to be better, now, but it is probably because so many people left and they know their only power is in the numbers of their membership.

Believe me, if the Panthers were nationwide I would join them in a minute.

[goldengrain]

Originally Posted by loveautumn

I subscribe basically because of the discounts I can get for car rentals, hotels, etc.

But, politically, they are of completely opposite views as me, and it is difficult to read their articles when they lean so one sided (very left). I feel they are too politically one sided because seniors are of all political leanings.

But I feel I do get something out of each month's publication that I didn't know before, so it's worth it from that standpoint. I haven't subscribed to anything they are selling so I haven't run into those types of issues.

That support for the Bush drug program was entirely right-wing-support-business-with-no-government-interference ugliness. I don't see them as radically on the left.

Could you name an example? I have not been following them.

[goldengrain]

Originally Posted by susancruzs

I cancelled my membership recently because I just didn't see that it relates to me. Seems now the major interest is just selling insurance and alot of their information just doesn't seem to fit my particular situation. Like the retirement magazine I got where the lowest price place was over $200,000. yeah, right!

Most of the media is paid for by business/advertising and not government (like the BBC). Because of that they aim for people with a hefty discretionary income who spend - go on vacations, buy summer homes, boats, etc.

No sense appealing to the average guy who works on a tight budget. No money to be made on him.

The Gray Panthers are not active in my state, but they have a list on the website.

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[Tightwad]

Originally Posted by goldengrain

Well, with the backing of the Bush drug program they only gave a voice to the insurance companies. That was so low. I will never forget how they betrayed the very people who they claimed to support. They seem to be better, now, but it is probably because so many people left and they know their only power is in the numbers of their membership.

Believe me, if the Panthers were nationwide I would join them in a minute.

Each to his/her own I say.