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Special Report
AARP Is Killing Entitlement Reform
Behind its new ad to pressure the Super Committee to leave Medicare and Social Security untouched.
I’m not a number. I’m not a line item on a budget. And I’m definitely not a pushover. But I am a voter. So, Washington, before you even think about cutting my Medicare and Social Security benefits, here’s a number you should remember: 50 million. We are 50 million seniors who earned our benefits, and you will be hearing from us — today and on Election Day.
So blusters the retirement-aged gentleman in the AARP’s new TV ad.
AARP is not just taking a partisan gamble with this brazen threat against reformers, most of whom are Republicans; they’re threatening our whole nation’s financial future. The organization makes an enormous amount of money from selling insurance policies that are desirable to its members precisely because the current system is as it is. Thus, the AARP has a multi-billion dollar financial interest that is separate from, and arguably contrary to, the interests of its members.
Indeed, earlier this year the House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee held a hearing on whether the overlap between AARP’s insurance business and its lobbying and advocacy efforts is appropriate: “there is good reason to question whether AARP is primarily looking out for seniors or just its own bottom line.” A report by Republican congressmen Wally Herger (CA) and Dave Reichert (WA) entitled “Behind the Veil: The AARP America Doesn’t Know” is a damning indictment of the organization’s inherent conflicts of interest, including:
• “AARP is in fact a large, complex and sophisticated organization with over $2.2 billion in total assets and had revenues in excess of $1.4 billion in 2009 alone.”
• “AARP is one of the nation’s largest insurance companies and by far the largest provider of Medicare plans to seniors.”
• “AARP is also one of the most powerful and active lobbying groups (in terms of dollars spent) in the country.”
• “The missions of [AARP’s subsidiaries] appear in direct conflict with one another and, as such, it is very difficult to determine which interests are being represented — those of the ‘non-profit’ or the ‘for-profit’ arm of AARP.”
• “The Democrats’ health care law, which AARP strongly endorsed, could result in a windfall for AARP that exceeds over $1 billion during the next 10 years.”
It’s not the first time the AARP has run such an ad. A similar one, with the same actor, came out in July also emphasizing the group’s 50 million members as an unveiled threat against members of Congress.
AARP spokesperson Tiffany Lundquist spent some time discussing the issue with me, including saying that the ad “was designed to bring attention to the discussions now taking place in Washington on proposals which may include cuts to Social Security and Medicare benefits.”
When asked whether the release of this ad was timed to influence the discussions of the “Super Committee” that is attempting to negotiate deficit- and debt-reduction policies to bring before Congress, Ms. Lundquist responded “definitely.”
I suggested to Ms. Lundquist that I was unaware of any plan that would cut benefits for current retirees or even near-retirees, to which she replied that the AARP has members as young as fifty and that the organization “works for the interests of our younger members as well.” Further, she named a particular idea that the AARP is against: a change in the formula to calculate Social Security’s annual cost of living adjustment (“COLA”).
In particular, there has been discussion for many years of changing which version of the Consumer Price Index is used to calculate annual benefit increases. It has been suggested that changing to a “chained CPI” which more accurately reflects how people actually spend money, in part by assuming that people will substitute out of items which are increasing in price if they can, will slow the growth of entitlements’ cost.
Going back many years, some of the most credible economists in America have argued that the current CPI calculations overstate inflation and thus increase Social Security payments more than they should, putting tremendous pressure on the federal budget — not least because each over-generous increase is compounded by the next. In 1997, Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan stated that “We know with near certainty that the current CPI is off. There’s a very high probability that the bias ranges from half a percentage point to 1 1/2 percentage points per year.” And Alice Rivlin, a Democrat and then Vice Chairwoman of the Fed, said that “The way we measure inflation, the way we measure productivity are flawed,” repeating in a 2004 book that “Research has shown that the consumer price index overstates inflation somewhat.”
About the Author
Ross Kaminsky is a self-employed trader and investor and is a senior fellow of the Heartland Institute. He is the host of The Ross Kaminsky Show on Denver’s NewsRadio 850 KOA at 11 AM on most Sundays. You can reach Ross by e-mail at rossputin(at)rossputin(dot)com.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (56) | Leave a comment
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Wayne| 10.14.11 @ 7:00AM
The whole concept of super-committee is idiotic. Whatever results from the committee, we can blame the GOP leadership for. It was their way to get around the Tea Party Republicans. It alone should convince us of the importance of a third party.
Edward White| 10.14.11 @ 11:29AM
The AARP magazine is a sickening melange of articles that salivate over 50-and-over air-head celebrities, the kind featured on "The View" and other idiot teevee shows.
I canceled my membership years ago, or should I have said membershit?.
AARP Membershit! That's it! Shit says it all, and so concisely.
florin| 10.14.11 @ 12:52PM
AARP have concocted a grand Ponzi scheme-well, maybe not a Ponzi scheme. They spend an enormous amount of money on tv ads and massive mailings that are aggressive and unwanted. Even when you unsubscribe, they continue sending their missives to you. AARP CEOs are for themselves. They're all about making money for their top people - seniors need to be constantly informed about this. Whenever an AARP Ceo has been on a talk show, they are uninformed or they outright lie...they do NOTHING for seniors. And they frighten the elderly with their aggressive demands that the elderly renew - or else. They should be shut down.
sparch| 10.14.11 @ 3:01PM
If they continue to send you membership requests and the like, pencil a short rude message on the letter and mail back to AARP in the envelope provided. Not only does AARP get your message, they get to pay for the privilage. HA!
Vivian| 10.15.11 @ 6:58PM
Has anyone heard how Ben Stein is recuperating? He recently had gastric bypass, and after the operation complications set in, or that's what I have been told.
PLEEEEEEZE, we want to know how dear Ben is doing.
Pecos Pete| 10.14.11 @ 7:09AM
As always, follow the money. AARP is nothing but a BIG insurance company.
tsd| 10.14.11 @ 7:27AM
AARP is the biggest scam on seniors out there. They are not pro seniors, they are pro AARP selling a boat load of crap.
oldfart| 10.14.11 @ 7:46AM
AMEN brother. They are using FUD (fear, uncertainty, doubt) to create chaos. The existing system will fail and fail badly. And AARP wants more of the same?? All AARP does is make people believe they can get something for nothing – that Uncle Sugar will take care of you. I will have nothing to do with these blood suckers.
Redstateboy| 10.14.11 @ 10:38AM
my buddy and I both receive our AARP "Membership Cards" in the mail.. while I just shred mine, what he does is he writes on the envelope: "Return to Sender - AARP hates America" and you know what?? 2-3 Weeks later we get another mailing!
Moe Blotz| 10.14.11 @ 11:00AM
As I recall that first membership is free, and I was fooled when mine came round at the tender young age of fifty years old. When the AARP started asking me for money a couple years later when I was a firmly entrenched olde phart and more aware of their shenanigans, I sent the mailings back as well. Eventually they stopped bugging me when I stuffed all their literature into the postage return envelope and sent it all back.
LiveFreeOrDie| 10.14.11 @ 12:18PM
"I stuffed all their literature into the postage return envelope and sent it all back."
Glad to know I'm not the only one who does this! I usually stuff the envelope with random junk mail as well.
Intelligent Design| 10.15.11 @ 7:49AM
I told them that I am deceased. That worked.
florin| 10.14.11 @ 12:53PM
Usually, 'return to sender' doesn't work. Someone suggested that instead of returning just use the return addressed envelope enclosed with a nasty message - then they have to pay for that envelope.
Shamus| 10.14.11 @ 7:42AM
The best result from the stupor committee would a failure to reach agreement. Nothing of any merit can be done until 2013 when elections are over and new people take office. Until then, the best we can hope for is that nothing will be done.
martin j smith| 10.14.11 @ 7:47AM
What is behind AARP?--Obama and the Socialist Party.
AARP-Perfect Crony Capitalism.
Lullabys, Legends and Lies| 10.14.11 @ 8:02AM
"Here's a number you should remember: 50 million. We are 50 million seniors who earned our benefits, and you will be hearing from us -- today and on Election Day."
I find myself yelling at my TV every time I see this commercial, when that Old Man says that line!! Don't threaten me Old Man!! Yeah, you'll be hearing from me on Election Day too!! How dare AARP twist the facts in this way? How dare they try to scare retired People, is that what this organization has become now? What a disgrace!! It's time to talk to my Folks, it's time to talk them into dropping their membership with this "part of the problem" organization!! AARP's not worried about retirees anymore, they're worried that the bloated Government might have to change it's addiction to money stealing, spending ways. AARP is part of the problem now, not part of the solution!! There's got to be an alternative out there for retirees to sign up with, an Organization that represents them and their interest in Congress, that doesn't put their bottom line above the interests of the Retirees. AARP is not that Organization anymore, they're a part of the Machine!!
Timothy L. Pennell| 10.14.11 @ 8:25AM
So, AARP wants to make sure that their Money Stream - Medicare and Social Security - is "untouched". (Like Hillary Clinton)
I may be crazy, but, I seem to remember something about a Health Care Plan, that has, as one of it's major provisions, CUTTING Medicare by $500 BILLION. And, I believe that AARP, was "All For" that Plan? Right?
Also, I believe that, during the Debt Ceiling negotiations, AARP's Boy - Barack Hussein Obama - offered up Medicare, for another trip to the Chopping Block. Right?
And, unless I've been asleep for a while, Social Security, left to its own devices, is as Dead as a Doornail. So, why does this Champion of the Elderly, want the Status Quot to remain, untouched?
The Liberal Hydra, has many Tentacles, and they have latched on to everything. Our Education System. Our Judicial System. Our Retirement.
It's not enough that they Poison our Children's Minds, with the likes of Bill Ayers, Ward Churchill, Cornell West, Frances Fox Piven, and that Fat Mouth Idiot, who locked himself out of his house in Cambridge. They indoctrinate them with Gay Studies, the Joys of Anal Sex, and Jimmy has two Daddies, one of them, in a dress. They teach them that God is Dead, America Sucks, and, if only the Soviets had better P.R, we would all be in the Worker's Paradise that GAEA, had always intended for us.
Nope. That's not enough. Now, they want us at the End of our lives.
Apparently, they want to make sure that they get EVERY LAST DIME, before we croak.
AARP is nothing more than an ARM of the Democrat Party, A Friend of the Messiah, and another FANNIE and FREDDIE, waiting to happen.
13 More Months.
GOD help us.
Redstateboy| 10.14.11 @ 10:41AM
Preach it Tim! Preach it!
Melvin| 10.14.11 @ 8:32AM
I don't know in whether or not it was the Marine Corps or my parents, and it might be a combination of both.
"Try to leave, something in better shape than we you received it."
Myself, I cannot in good conscience leave this Country is such a financial mess, that it will doom succeeding generations.
But a small part of me doesn't want to dumped in a a warehouse for geezers.
September, I saw a neighbor she was older than dirt, and when she passed wind, dust came out. But she slowly got around. She would go on her short walks every morning and greet me as I went to work. Her life was her dogs.
She was always alone and I never even new she had kids until one fateful day. I saw a woman who I discovered was her daughter, to make a long story short, the basically forced her into the car with a few belongs, and carted her off to a geezer warehouse, took furniture and other personal effects and piled my neighbors life on the street curb and a couple days later there was a for sale sign in the front yard.
It was sickening, there was picture albums of this woman's life laying open to the elements like her life didn't matter. Clothing, sewing machine, dog treats just laying there. All the neighbors were appalled that a human being, family could do this to their parents. Take control of the money, sell the assets and put Ma into a box to die. She couldn't take her beloved dogs, someone came by later and picked them up. She died three weeks later.
PCC| 10.14.11 @ 8:44AM
Now that I'm approaching the European retirement age of 55, I'd like to express my full support for the patriotic solons of AARP. To hell with my children, grandchildren and fellow Americans.
Louis Jenkins| 10.14.11 @ 9:35AM
Well I'm past the European retirement age, and I'd like to tell AARP to get lost. They're a mega millionair's play pretty, and their interest is not with the elders. Now I have contributed to SS all my life, and I don't expect to see one cent of the money when I reach 62, 65, 67, or whatever. I was told when I started working at 16 years of age that the money would be available when I was old. The US Government has ripped me off!! I earned every cent of the money that was contributed by me to that ponsi scheme. Far better to have given me the money to invest as I saw fit, not place it in a lock box that was open at both ends for the government to steal from. You cannot trust the government, and AARP, well, you can't trust those people either. They're looking for ways to take, and to give back, we can forget it. Don't worry about me though, I'm fairly well fixed unless the bullets start flying, and then I still am not too bad off. Bunch of morons.
David W| 10.14.11 @ 9:47AM
I turn 53 this weekend. I was a member of AARP for one year - until I watched the political whores support Obama's healthcare plan. I have since declined any invitation to renew. I have scrimped and saved for retirement, and I am willing to forgo Social Security if it means that we can get this country on the right track. However, with the AARP and their democratic pimps trying to scare seniors I can bet that nothing will ever be done.
Redstateboy| 10.14.11 @ 10:46AM
"democratic pimps" love it!
POST American| 10.14.11 @ 10:01AM
---Of course, a FIAT currency, issued
by an ILLEGAL, private, INTER-national,
USURY and EUGENICS mongering bank,
sort of trumps all other considerations.
NOTE: the US dollar has lost 96% of its
value since the ILLEGAL establishment
of the FED in 1913.
LiveFreeOrDie| 10.14.11 @ 12:21PM
I think this might be your first (partly) meaningful post, congratulations!
Al Adab| 10.14.11 @ 4:39PM
Even a stopped clock is right twice a day.
W.C. Wood| 10.14.11 @ 11:11AM
I don't know where AARP gets names, but they started recruiting me by mail after my 50th birthday. I am now 52, (still not a member), and get no less than three mailings a year, which I discard. My point in saying this is that when people think of AARP, they may imagine millions of white-haired retirees living month-to-month. Not so...
Al Adab| 10.14.11 @ 11:41AM
Like all special interest groups, AARP is simply interested in padding its nest and increasing its influence. To do so it lies to its members and represents the Assoc. interests over the interests of the membership. The recruit members through the insurance scam so inflate the numbers when they lobby for policies. Simply put, the interests of AARP are not the interests of its membership. Like most special interest groups, policy makers would be well advised to ignore it.
Occam's Tool| 10.14.11 @ 1:01PM
Next year I turn 50, and will join the Conservative version of the AARP.
The AARP is a Liberal scam. Worthless, elder care rationers.
Al Adab| 10.14.11 @ 2:37PM
OT:
There is such a one, but memory fails right now. That IS the one in which to enroll.
Margie| 10.24.11 @ 1:44PM
It's AMAC.
http://amac.us/
nohussein| 10.14.11 @ 1:39PM
Thee AARP is a socialism backing group, always has been.
Trinacria| 10.14.11 @ 2:30PM
Greatest generation, indeed...
Al Adab| 10.14.11 @ 2:39PM
That generation was the parents of all those "boomers" who are enrolling in AARP. The boomers are a spoiled, self-centered generation. Their parents, who suffered the Depression and fought the war, tried to protect them from the vicissitudes of life and created monsters.
JimH| 10.14.11 @ 2:57PM
In the words of Abe Simpson (Homer's dad): I'm old. Give me money.
aware| 10.14.11 @ 4:05PM
Wait till you see the other 1500 lobbying interests pile on. There will be no cuts, ever! Only a future appointment with reality will accomplish that, and it won't be pretty. Think Greece times a thousand.
Super committee! Har de har har! We'll fall for ANYTHING!
PattyMor| 10.14.11 @ 4:31PM
Oh great cut nothing, never, no place, no how. And you know what, we all go over the cliff. Except George Soros and his big pile of gold.
Naturalborn Texicanette| 10.14.11 @ 6:52PM
I stuff everything in the postage paid envelope and send it BACK to AARP. I have also written terse notes, demanding to be REMOVED from their mailing list, placed the note and junk mail in the postage paid envelope AGAIN and mailed THEM back to AARP as well.
That works briefly to stop the mailings.......but I guess they think I have Alzheimer's because it doesn't take long til another packet arrives in my box!
GGGRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!
There is some good news.....There is an alternative to AARP. The link is below and the website is very informative...AND this is a conservative group!!! Check it out.
http://www.amac.us/amac-was-fo.....to-aarp-2/
Old guy| 10.14.11 @ 7:42PM
I'm now 86 years old. Nearly 20 years ago I wrote AARP suggesting that, at least, the annual COLA figure be means tested. It took about 6 month to get an answer which sounded like the responder might actually have read my letter. I approached the AARP booth at the state fair with the same suggestion. I was informed by the lady in the booth that it was impossible because, "If you give at all, you'll wind up with no Social Security at all in just a few years." I dropped my membership - and my insurance - with them a number of years ago.
POST American| 10.15.11 @ 3:19AM
----------------------FINAL WORD----------------------
Things YOU CAN DO to insure a sound
retirement:
-Identify and EXPOSE the EUGENICS
cabal that now runs the national and
world 'men--ick--ALL' establishment.
-Fornally enact laws that, in no uncertain
terms, make the tainting or adulteration
of water, food, meds or enviornment
at the service of capstone EUGENICS
aims a CAPITOL OFFENSE of the absolutely
highest order ---in the most severe cases
(such as our unfolding POLIO shots --cancer
epidemic) ---calling for the DEATH sentence.
The links to the capstone 'bennie violent'
foundations, off-shore USURY and the
frankly genocidal agenda of the UN
is now UNDENIABLE.
Intelligent Design| 10.15.11 @ 7:57AM
Socialist Security should be completely dismantled. Close it down and pay everyone a lump sum, plus interest on "contributions" at some nominal rate like 3% per year, less any retirement payments already received.
When people reach age 65 their pre-existing conditions should be excluded from Medicare coverage. Medicaid should be turned over to the States to decide what they can afford to pay, and to whom they wish to pay benefits.
The AARP is an extension of the DNC.
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markie| 10.15.11 @ 1:35PM
It is sad that all of you do not understand the imporatnce of the AARP. AARP fights for seniors. True, it sells variety of products and services-so if you do not like the products and services, don't buy them. The conservative counterpart is sadly a sham foisted on unsuspecting seniors...it does not help alot. Without AARP, you would get shit from the Repubs-which hated AARP...A friend of Newt Gingrich held the helm at the AARP before resigning...we DO need SS and medicare/medicaid since many of the seniors do not have relatives to look after us...why not start with cutting bloated defense...eliminate taxcuts and breaks...loopholes for the rich and corporations...raise the SS cap to cover all earnings...any ideas....?
Deborah D | 10.16.11 @ 6:42AM
Written like a true leftist...
markie| 10.16.11 @ 9:12PM
Debo, are you afraid of me as being a lefty?
Clinton| 10.15.11 @ 1:51PM
Any conervative who is a member of AARP is as two-faced and stupid as Mitt Romney's poodle Herman Cain.
Deborah D | 10.16.11 @ 6:43AM
I agree with the first part of the statement...but leave Herman Cain out of it. One has nothing to do with the other.
POST American| 10.15.11 @ 11:27PM
---------------------FINAL WORD-----------------------
CAPITAL criminalization of ALLLLLLLL
stealth, EUGENICS tainting and contamination
of food, water, enviornment, meds, injections
and (---considering Cadmium/ Barium Oxide
CHEM-trails---) ---air.
For the prime perpetrators and operatives
---LIFE in prison with NO possibility of
parole.
For the MOST horrendous offenses, such
as the cancer lacing of the POLIO injections
(ie SEE arch EUGENIST Dr Jonas Salk)--
-------------------------DEATH---------------------------
" Understand, 'Civilization' is nothing more than
a BRUTAL mechanism that serves the few---"
-ALAN WATT
(superb online coverage)
Merlin| 10.16.11 @ 3:30AM
It seems to me that both private and public pensions should be limited by law to WHAT IS IN THE ACCOUNT period, end of story. Anything else is a promise that someone else will pay. Our children and grandchildren in the case of SS and future earnings (any guarantee of that?) in the case of private companies.
martin j smith| 10.16.11 @ 7:31AM
I think it is the Crony Capitalism that is probably the most destructive aspect of curruption in our nation. AARP represents such curruption. Now the "Occupy Movement" which is really and international Socialist Movement will not protest Crony Capitalism if it benefits its political views.
Thus I believe that this entire protest is one of " You protest too much".
The Bruce| 10.16.11 @ 10:30PM
In truth, AARP would like nothing more than a complete removal of SSI and Medicare. Why? It's money in their pockets. They know seniors will come running with their wallets to buy up any policy from AARP to make up the difference.
Why do you think AARP didn't even blink when Obamacare cut $500B from Medicare?
MarylandConservative| 10.17.11 @ 6:09AM
Good article, but it fails to point out one very significant issue regarding AARP.
Looking at all the dollars acquired through kick backs from insurance companies as well as the dollars collected from dues, should AARP continue to be tax exempt or should they be considered a for profit taxable corpoartion?