For AARP, A 'Monumental' Shift On Social Security?

[Generic Other]

For decades, AARP — the nation's largest advocacy group for seniors — has been viewed as the most powerful defender of Social Security. As a result, any hint that the organization might entertain benefit cuts would be seen as an abrupt about-face.

But that's precisely what happened a few days ago, when a front page story in the Wall Street Journal proclaimed that the organization had dropped its longstanding opposition to cutting Social Security benefits.

Almost as soon as the story appeared, AARP officials called it inaccurate and said it misconstrued the organization's position. There had been no change in policy, they said.

<...>

But while Certner and other AARP officials scrambled to distance themselves from the idea of cuts now, they did not dispute another major tenet of the story — that AARP recognizes benefit cuts in Social Security may be unavoidable in the future. But it wasn't something the organization wanted to see highlighted on the front page of a major newspaper.

http://www.npr.org/2011/06/24/137395740/for-aarp-a-monumental-shift-on-social-security

[woo me with science]

1. Odd that they are running "We defend Social Security" ads right now in this area. nt

* on edit, I can't remember if they are for SS or Medicare.

[still_one]

2. Probably not so odd, since when this came out a week ago I am sure they have heard an earful from

their members

[Donnachaidh]

3. same here in Atlanta

was kind of surprised by them actually.

[Wounded Bear]

4. Meh...they're pretty much agents for United Healthcare these days...

They used to care about seniors' rights and needs. Not so much any more from what I can see.

[judgegblue]

5. AARP not for its members

I quit the AARP years ago when they sided with the Bush adm and supported the vote to ban the SS ADM from negotiating for lower RX prices. AARP is a Repub tool.

[HockeyMom]

6. Never joined 13 years ago when I turned 50

Never regretted it. Of course, my sheep Republican husband DID.

[unhappycamper]

7. I cancelled my AARP membership last week.

I called their 800 number and told this nice woman to cancel my membership because of their stance on my SS. I told her I did not want any more mail from them. I also told her that I will duct tape a brick to anything from them with return postage and drop it off at the PO.

Fuck AARP. All you will get from me is return to sender.

[Generic Other]

8. Wooohooo

OK, I am going to threaten to sue them if they don't stop fraudulently sending me fake pre-approved for membership cards with my name on them. I am no where near their damn target age group.

:eyes: