The AARP has a lot of members primarily because it negotiates good tangible benefits for its members (discounts and so forth). Of course, the AARP is also politically active, and in that regard it is frequently at odds with its members.
Health care nationalization would significantly weaken Medicare, but the AARP nevertheless is lobbying for it. By taking the unusual step of advocating against the interests of senior citizens, the AARP is alienating more than just its conservative-leaning members. Not surprisingly, they are facing a backlash.
UPDATE: Despite its general tone, the AARP has not officially come out in support of health care nationalization. No one told the president:
President Obama today suggested that the health care reform legislation for which he’s pushing has been endorsed by the American Association of Retired Person.
“We have the AARP on board because they know this is a good deal for our seniors,” the president said.
At another point he said: “Well, first of all, another myth that we’ve been hearing about is this notion that somehow we’re going to be cutting your Medicare benefits. We are not. AARP would not be endorsing a bill if it was undermining Medicare, okay?”
The problem?
The AARP hasn’t endorsed any plan yet.
The country’s largest advocacy group for Americans over 50 issued a statement after the event saying, “While the President was correct that AARP will not endorse a health care reform bill that would reduce Medicare benefits, indications that we have endorsed any of the major health care reform bills currently under consideration in Congress are inaccurate.”
(Via Instapundit.)
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