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The Spectacle Blog
Last week, many of you saw the video of a Dallas AARP town hall meeting on health care that AARP officials ended early after the audience raised too many objections. The woman leading the meeting, for instance, tried to shut up audience members who said they disagreed with her when she made assumptions about what she thought they would agree with her on. At one point, a man summed it up by asking, “Do you guys work for us, or do we work for you?”
As bad as the video made AARP look, on some level, you could write it off as an instance of a local AARP representative getting frustrated and simply not having the experience or temperament to deal with an audience that was pushing back against her talking points. That’s why I found it much more damning when I saw AARP vice president and spokesman Drew Nannis appearing on Fox (clip below). Not only does he refuse to apologize for the woman’s behavior, but he dismisses those dues-paying AARP members as “a bunch of people yelling.” This is wrong on several levels. First off, AARP is an organization that claims to speak for its membership, but here we have a clear cut case of mounting opposition to Democratic health care policies among older Americans, not just in town hall meetings, but backed up by polling data showing they remain the most skeptical of Democratic proposals (see here and here). Yet instead of representing the concerns of older Americans, AARP is doing the reverse. Its CEO, Barry Rand, who was a major Obama donor, has gotten cozy with the administration, and along with the rest of the top brass at the Washington headquarters, has decided to support liberal policies. Now the group is actively working alongside the administration to sell these policies that their members are rejecting — using their members money to do so. In a typically liberal and patronizing kind of way, they think they know what’s best for their members, and they’re trying to tell them what to think.
But beyond that, there’s a basic customer service angle to this. I can, in some small sense, sympathize with the woman on the video. Back when I was 18, I worked at the box office of an Atlantic City casino, and have some experience dealing with frustrated customers, especially older Americans who can be quite, shall we say, persistent about getting what they want. If there was a dispute over a coupon or a comp they thought they deserved, you can bet they’d make their voices heard. At times this meant shouting at me, cursing at me, blowing smoke in my face, and so on. Yet even as a teenager, I had a basic understanding of the concept that the customer is always right, something that AARP evidently does not get. No matter how angry or unruly or even nasty these gamblers would act toward me, I knew it was my job to remain calm and try to pacify the situation rather than escalate the problem by shouting back. Yet, not only did the woman running the meeting decide to mix it up with dues-paying members, but a vice president from Washington went on national television and defended her actions. So let’s just call a spade a spade. AARP is not an organization that represents its members, but a group that treats its members as dupes so it can suck up their money and use it to advocate a liberal policy agenda supported by its Washington leadership.
View all comments (41) | Leave a comment
More Blog Posts by Philip Klein
http://spectator.org/blog/2009/08/10/aarp-where-the-customer-is-alw
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Roy| 8.10.09 @ 12:02PM
"AARP is not an organization that represents its members, but a group that treats its members as dupes so it can suck up their money and use it to advocate a liberal policy agenda supported by its Washington leadership."
Yep.
For AARP, substitute SEIU, or pretty much any union.
Terry from NH| 8.10.09 @ 12:20PM
I am proud that I called and cancelled my membership last week. When asked why, I told them it was because of AARP endorsing HR 3200.
I know one cancelled membership won't matter, but who knows maybe if enough fed up people say "No Thanks", it could make a difference.
Solo| 8.10.09 @ 12:22PM
This is exactly the same as if the NRA (National Rifle Association) were to use member dues to advocate for firearms confiscation.
The AARP has almost always been a house organ for the democrat party. It's about time the membership woke up to this and turn in their membership cards.
Big Java| 8.10.09 @ 12:29PM
I joined the bunch when I was 50 (ten years ago).
It did not take long to realize they were liberal dems, therefore, no renewal and I send back every request for new membership I get in the mail.
Mike| 8.10.09 @ 12:49PM
I to signed up for AARP this year in Jan and ready to cancel. Iam tired of the BO style crap i get on my email and mailbox.
Iam looking at
http://www.americanseniors.org/Pages/home.aspx?Images=/images/index_new.gif
I think AARP needs more competition for the retired american's dollar.
Big Jim| 8.10.09 @ 1:59PM
I am not retired but I have been receiving mail from aarp since I turned 50. They are a left-wing outfit if ever there was one and I refuse to join even though membership does have its benefits. How about an orginization that provides these benefits w/o all the lefty politics? Does one exist?
Pingback| 8.10.09 @ 3:42PM
Capital Research Center: links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Jessica Rhodes| 8.10.09 @ 4:25PM
Why is everyone bagging on the AARP? It is a membership organization which means joining is optional. Unlike our government where you have to pay taxes. If you don't like AARP don't join. I happen to think they do many wonderful things for the seniors of this country so get off their backs!
JohnnieAppleseed| 8.10.09 @ 4:47PM
Jessica-- don't try logic with these lunatics.
Jessical Rhodes| 8.10.09 @ 4:54PM
I went to the forum in Missouri last week and there was no respect shown to Congressman Carnahan, just people yelling and screaming like they were doing in Dallas. How many of these people are truly AARP members or planted from other organizations to raise havoc? You cannot have a true discussion or exhange of ideas when people yell. And the media loves any kind of confrontation no matter who it involves, they could care less what the context is!
Richard Baker| 8.10.09 @ 5:08PM
Canceled my AARP membership recently. The reason for the "disrespect" is that tyranny deserves disrespect. Too many of our "representatives" treat us as mindless fools and treat people who read the legislation and are knowledgable, when the representative doesn't, as buffoons who need to sit down and shut up. Nuts to that. The people upset at these meetings are so because condescension doesn't sit well. Congress forgets that THEY are the hired help.
Marie| 8.10.09 @ 5:16PM
My husband and I desided a couple of years ago that AARP was not for the Seniors but a political group for the Liberal agenda. We want nothing to do with them. Good ridance!!!!
NOBAMA| 8.10.09 @ 5:20PM
You cannot have a true discussion when one side lies--that's why people are so upset. Obama tried to ram ObamaCare through congress in only three weeks--obviously he didn't want dialogue. Also, the democrats have used physical violence; and that is a deal breaker.
AARP is a leftist advocacy group that takes dues from its members and then backs legislation that could kill them. Some advocate! Destroy AARP!
Andrew B| 8.10.09 @ 5:58PM
Jessica/Jessical, who seems unsure of her own name, is concerned that people at the AARP meeting might have been "planted from other organizations". Hmmm. AND she was at the Carnahan forum. And front row at Woodstock, no doubt.
Perhaps there were people "planted" at the AARP meeting (although it seems that they could have checked membership credentials, had they so desired, to prevent such things), but at least they could spell their own names.
JESSICA Rhodes| 8.10.09 @ 6:27PM
Oh excuse me Andrew B for not knowing how to spell my own name. Ever heard of a typo? I see you left off the period after the initial of your last name (but I will overlook that in case your last name is actually "B" - then it would correct)
The fact that you felt the need to even address the spelling of my name is another example of why people who don't agree can't get anything accomplished. They are too busy worrying about those kinds of stupid details.
And one more point: I did not go to the Carnahan forum because of AARP. I was under the impression that it was a forum on services available to seniors in the St. Louis area and not a health care reform debate. It was a shame I didn't get to learn anything for all the yelling.
louis c| 8.10.09 @ 6:51PM
AARP sold out its members. AMA sold out all doctors. Hospital lobbyists sold out their clients by agreeing to cut 2 trillion in March. Big Pharma sold all of us out 150 pro Obamacare advertising. Congress has sold us out. You know who didn't sell out their clients? ATLA (American Trial Lawyers Association) and ABA.
JimE| 8.10.09 @ 9:11PM
Jesscia, you brainless twit, you would have known what the meeting was about had you read the the flyer. You don't read much do you? Not you worry, there are thousands of liberals out there just like yourself who find reading distasteful.
John Adamson| 8.10.09 @ 9:16PM
Jessica,
when will people of your ilk understand that these people are supposed to work for us? AARP's President donated $9,000 to Obama and he will gladly sell out the seniors to get in Obama's favor. AARP board of directors are traitors to the cause-they just want your membership dues as they drink the Kool-Aid as you do. This is America, not Nazi Germany. Obama would create a "death panel" that would deny care to the neediest Americans.
"Who will suffer the most when they ration care? The sick, the elderly, and the disabled, of course." That's who. Such a system is downright evil that AARP is cunningly supporting by NOT coming out and saying that they are against Obama's plan.
John Adamson| 8.10.09 @ 9:33PM
Part II:
Senior citizens who went to a meeting sponsored by AARP were left to themselves after the AARP hostess walked out. The seniors were trying to get answers concerning ObamaCare and why AARP would support a government controlled health system that many believe would lead to euthanasia and rationing of health care.
Why would AARP, the nation's largest group, supposedly working for the elderly, support an ObamaCare bill? Here is what Dick Morris, former advisor to President Clinton, said: "The interest groups that usually speak up for the elderly, particularly AARP, are in Obama's pocket, hoping to profit from his program by becoming one of its vendors. Just as they backed Bush's prescription drug plan because they anticipated profiting from it, so they are now helping Obama gut the medical care of their constituents."
Like the National Education Association, AARP has been taken over by liberals. With millions of members, AARP is using its clout to push ObamaCare on the elderly, even if it includes euthanasia. AARP supported homosexual marriage by opposing Prop 8 in California.
Anonymous| 8.10.09 @ 9:54PM
Screw AARP, I ain't joinin' 'em!
Anna Keppa| 8.11.09 @ 12:18AM
Jessican needs a history lesson: Americans who believe their freedom is being nakedly attacked by their purported representatives have this...habit...of being "disrespectful". She also conveniently forgets that just a few short weeks ago Congress was trying to ram this monstrosity of a bill through without even letting the public know what was in it. We're supposed to "respect" legislators that operate in secrecy and stealth?
Anyway, I hope she enjoys whatever goodies she gets through AARP. She's obviously easily bought.
Interloper| 8.11.09 @ 12:40AM
Jessica's a plant, you can tell because she doesn't know what she's talking about. Bimbo.
"Too busy worrying about these stupid details?" You mean stupid details like rationed care and shorter life-spans for the elderly? Thank God these old folks found out about these disgusting policies in ObamaCare before it was too late.
You're an ass, girl.
Ann| 8.11.09 @ 4:07AM
I stopped paying my membership.
JAWilson| 8.11.09 @ 6:07AM
I saw that little weasel on Fox and he was belligerent in a civilized sort of way. I didn't know that he was an executive of AARP. He should be fired.
kiwikit| 8.11.09 @ 7:24AM
I knew about AARP from the '60s when it was well know in insurance circle that they were a front for getting customers for so-called 'cheap' insurance and wholly owned by then Colonial Penn. Anyone who thinks they represent any but the looney left should have his head examined. I didn't join when I was 50 and send all their letters back to them with my comments about WHY they do NOT represent me.
CindyD| 8.11.09 @ 7:56AM
Terry from NH, I cancelled my membership too. I told the rep that I didn't want to be part of an organization that treats its members the way that lady had done the night before.
When I was telling a friend via e-mail what I had done, he gave me a web address which is an alternative to AARP. www.americanseniors.org
and I promptly joined.
CindyD| 8.11.09 @ 8:02AM
BIG JIM
www.americanseniors.org
Pingback| 8.11.09 @ 8:35AM
The American Spectator : AmSpecBlog : AARP– Where The Customer is … | Elderly Help Ge links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 8.11.09 @ 10:45AM
AARP Vice-President Denies Problems With Members « The American Catholic links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 8.11.09 @ 11:21AM
Survival Podcast Listener Questions for 8-11-09 | The Survival Podcast links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
carlleigh| 8.11.09 @ 11:57AM
I'm turning 50 next year. Always impressed with the benefits but put off by their liberal bias. I've been telling my Dad for years, (a member), that they don't have his best interest at heart. Taking his money and funding dishonest politicians.
My question, many of us seem upset. Is there either a non-politically oriented organization like AARP or conservative leaning organization like AARP. Maybe the American Association of Fifty Plus Responsible Citizens. AAFPRC. I'm looking for inclusion. ha! ha! ha!
Willey| 8.11.09 @ 12:58PM
carlleigh--www.americanseniors.org. Dump AARP!
Fr Bill | 8.11.09 @ 2:36PM
AARP is an org that is bloated with temporary members who are assigned membership without their permission or knowledge. AARP then tells Congress that is has X number of members (and includes its bloat). AARP is an organization that is phony from the ground up.
Jessica| 8.11.09 @ 9:21PM
blah blah blah - everyone's an expert. Interesting how this exchange turned to name-calling so quickly. I am not enemy here. Like I said originally no one is forcing anyone to join AARP. It is just like a t.v. show - if you don't like it change the channel. As for Anna's comment about "legislators that operate in secrecy and stealth" how quickly you forget the last eight years!
Nobama| 8.12.09 @ 12:01AM
Jessica, you stand up first in front of ObamaCare's 'death panels', okay? Suits me just fine and serves you right. Kool Aid drinking Moron.
Jessica| 8.13.09 @ 12:00PM
Death panels? I thought Sarah Palin's family would be the first in line. Obama can't wait to sentence her parents and grandkids. Get real!
PALIN FOR PRESIDENT 2012| 8.14.09 @ 2:35AM
"Death Panels" torpedoed ObamaCare, moron. Sarah got the last laugh--at your expense! Obama's a one term wonder; he's out in 2012. GO SARAH!
Pingback| 9.8.09 @ 6:46PM
The American Spectator : AmSpecBlog : AARP– Where The Customer is … | Senior Nuts links to this page. Here’s an excerpt: