Where is AARP??

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I consider AARP to be one of the most powerful lobby groups in Washington. I figured from the earlier news of the deplorable state of Medicare, the health industry in general, and the JIT approach to prescription drugs that may not be available, that surely AARP would rise to the occasion. With the recent news on the status of the Veterans Administration, I wonder once again what it will take to wake up AARP. Has anyone heard anything?

-- Brooks (brooksbie@hotmail.com), April 21, 1999

Answers

There was an article in last month's AARP newspaper. I can't remember much about it because it was so similar to the "bump-in-the-road" crap we see in other media.

-- Pearlie Sweetcake (storestuff@home.now), April 21, 1999.

AARP hasn't got a clue. If Koskinen says it, they say it.

This isn't really surprising. A lot of people prefer not to think about most of what they're used to becoming unavailable.

-- Tom Carey (tomcarey@mindspring.com), April 21, 1999.


Brooks,

Here's what the AARP has to say about Y2K...

http://www.aarp.org/bulletin/oct98/2000bug.html

[snip]

The computer bug that threatens to put the bite on systems everywhere on January 1, 2000, may not harm us as much as some people think.

But then again it might.

Such is the conflicting welter of expert opinion that, until the clock strikes the appointed hour, no one will know for sure whether the bug will just be an annoying gnat or the carrier of a dread disease.

[snip]

-- Kevin (mixesmusic@worldnet.att.net), April 21, 1999.


Thanks folks, and particularly for the link, Kevin! It led me to the following (undated) article that appears to be more recent, and indicates a need for at least modest preparation. Kevin, I thought the 10/98 item that you linked was obscene in its lack of concern and as well as the blatant promises that services like social security checks would continue unscathed. What might be a damned incovenience to most of us could be an unintelligible morass to the elderly. Wish AARP would take the lead on this one.

-- Brooks (brooksbie@hotmail.com), April 21, 1999.

The AARP administration is supporting (and donating strongly) the Democrats on this one - they don't want to upstep any applecart the administration is pushing. According to most observers, the seniors themselves are spilt Republican-Democrat 45-55% , but the donations, publicity, and power (like that from the teacher's unions) goes only to the Democrats and the Democrats' agendas.

The only thing most of the national media "advertise" about the elderly is Social Security - a travesty because the SS system was never intended (and doesn't ever have enough money) to be the only retirement system available.

-- Robert A. Cook, PE (Kennesaw, GA) (cook.r@csaatl.com), April 21, 1999.



The AARP is where they have been for a looooooong time.

In Klintoon's BACK POCKET.

Ray

-- Ray (ray@totacc.com), April 21, 1999.


Brooks, what is the latest word on the Veterans Administration?

-- quietly lurking (quietly@preparing.com), April 21, 1999.

You folks should know that AARP is owned by an insurance company, and was in favor of the National Health Care Plan (Hillary's baby) that would have federalized 1/7 th of our national economy.

Yes, they are in the Demo's and Demo in Chief's back pocket.

-- Mary (CAgdma@home.com), April 21, 1999.


quietly lurking,

GAO testimony about the VA is at this link:

http://veterans.house.gov/hearings/schedule106/apr99/4-15-99/gao.htm

-- Kevin (mixesmusic@worldnet.att.net), April 22, 1999.


Kevin, thank you for the link, it was very informative. Have printed for reference.

quielty....

-- quietly lurking (quietly@preparing.com), April 22, 1999.



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