Did You See New AARP Ads?---A little late, baby; but interesting

[BabsSong]

(Am trying to process the political ramifications---somethings not right in retiree land). Saw the commercial this a.m. while watching the morning news.

When it began to roll, I knew I had seen it before. Starts with talking about the "War on Drugs"; pans back to older couple in living room and says "it's not the only drug problem in America"---but then it "doctors" the original message. Before it was a push for a prescription drug benefit. Now it says that while the new Medicare law is a 'start' that we need to be allowed to buy cheaper drugs from Canada and we need the government to be able to negotiate with the drug companies for the 'lowest costs'.

Wellll, ain't that special!!! These birds were the big sell out to Bush and the drug companies in the Medicare bill that brought the wrath of God down upon them from AARP members. People dropped membership, called them every name in the book and generally tarnished them as just another greedy insurance company, etc. Where were they when this bill was passed that poured money into insurance companies and encouraged drug companies to sell at top dollar?? Apparently, AARP is feeling the heat---and that, my friends, means that retirees and baby boomers are not happy and are putting the screws to the AARP. And, that translates into more anti-Bush, anti-republican sentiment. And that means Bush isn't going to get all the hyped milage (hyped by the media) out of the issue he supposedly 'took away from the democrats'. Bull he did; that issue made seniors even madder. And that's a 'good thing' (sorry, Martha)!!!

[sinkingfeeling]

1. My 84-year-old mother voted absentee in the Fla. primary...

she told me she voted for Kerry. She's had it with Bush & the medicare drug issue really got to her. She voted a straight Republican ticket for well over 50 years, but changed to registration after 2000.

[BabsSong]

2. Sinking--when I saw this ad, I saw "Florida" in bright neon lights

Interesting as Kerry makes his tour of Florida that suddenly this adjusted ad reappears!!! There may be a lot of the rich retiree types in Florida but there are a whole pot of average, middle class retirees and Florida citizens. While the rich aren't going to pour to the Kerry side, I truly believe a whole slew of reitrees who are the "always voted repub" type are going to vote Kerry because of scared crapless about what Bush will do with Medicare and SS. In other words, way enough to make this not a dead heat election this time. Of course, getting the votes counted in the land of the Bush crime syndicate is another thing!!!!!

[SOS]

3. Negotiate for lower drug costs?

Hey AARP, the bill you supported expressly prohibits negotiating for lower drug prices.

[BillZBubb]

5. Exactly

AARP screwed seniors with their endorsement of that con job. Now that it is too late, they are trying to create the illusion that they are on the other side of the issue.

Hopefully, AARP goes the way of the dodo.

[Bozita]

4. I'd love to see monthly membership numbers for AARP

You could be right, Babs.

Those numbers could explain the AARP policy waffle.

BTW, welcome to DU.

[havocmom]

6. If they send you mail and include a postage paid envelope, send them

a passionate message and mail it to them. I also sent back all their pamphlets and a note to throw away their own junk mail.

Sending messages back in postage paid envelopes works in so many ways.
Cuts down on the junk mail you get after awhile too.

[Andy_Stephenson]

7. This does work...

"Sending messages back in postage paid envelopes works in so many ways. Cuts down on the junk mail you get after awhile too."

If I get 1 postage paid envelope...I stuff it full of all the other junk mail I get. Send it back and in most cases never hear from them again.

[Paradise]

8. AARP IS an insurance company!

Wolves in sheep's clothing!

[Kanary]

9. Great news, Babs!

Yes, it *DOES* sound like the outcry has had an effect. Let that be an example for us to follow on ALL the issues!

Thanks for posting this!

Kanary

Another Delusional Diehard for Dennis!!

Kucinich 2004!

[Cleita]

10. AARP hasn't changed their spots.

Now they are saying we old people are supposed to start a grass roots drive to change this bill before it goes into effect. I guess they didn't expect the backlash they got from their members. They are still the same old insurance shills.

[ParanoidPat]

11. American Association of Republican Patsies.....

.....they need two microphones on their podium so you can hear what they say out of both sides of their mouth! :evilgrin: ( Sort of like Bush* :) )