Dragginourbedaround said:
Too much junk mail. Once you're on their mailing list it takes forever to be removed.
Do you mean removed as a MEMBER, or removed from the random mailings you receive based on AARP using mail databases? If the former, then this is totally contrary to my experience. I've supported AARP for about 5 years now, and my Mom has been a member since 1984. All it took was
one very pleasant phone call and all promotional mailings were stopped immediately. No hassle, no argument, just a friendly, professional interaction. Both my Mom and I were originally members due to using UHC Medigap and Part D insurance, but after 5 years with them, I'd support their efforts regardless. If you're not a member, then I suspect you are receiving solicitations based on mass mailings from address databases, and you'd have the same difficulties trying to stop these regardless of who's sending them.
I think anyone criticizing AARP by calling them a "political" something really has no clue about what they do - it's just an uneducated assumption. They are a lobbying organization, that works to protect and promote the interests of a senior population. Those seniors are not aligned with any particular political party or ideology. In addition, most of the issues AARP works on benefit everyone, not just the elderly. They track and provide input on issues relevant to senior interests and then, through their publications, work to keep seniors informed on those issues. AARP could care less about what political party someone belongs to as they simply aim to protect a large discriminated population and will align with anyone doing the same. There is never a hint of denigrating any group or class or people (political, religious, ageism, sexual orientation, etc.) in AARP's communications, which cannot be said of many other lobbying groups.
AARP's publications are an invaluable source of information needed by seniors and include issues related to healthcare, doctor/hosp scams, phone and internet scams, updating tax issues, drug costs!!!, senior employment, starting businesses, nursing/assisted living homes, caregiver help, alternative lifestyles and much, much, more - book reviews, movies for adults reviews. They ARE NOT political articles - just the facts. If you're not a member, or don't read the publications, then you really don't have a clue as to what AARP is all about. I for one have learned a tremendous amount about issues from finances to healthcare from articles in AARP that would not otherwise be on the radar. What?, you think YouTube and Facebook are gonna provide it?? AARP was the only organization/publication that Bob Dylan agreed to sit down with for an interview about a year ago after many decades of denying everyone.
I don't support AARP because of what discounts they can provide me. I support that they represent my interests against those who don't have my welfare in mind - regardless of their political affiliation. I don't keep track of the many discounts they offer, although I have gotten campground discounts a couple of places by being a member. If you're in it for the discounts, then again, you miss the point of why AARP exists. The discounts are just perks.
As to complaints about member ship cost . . seem a little petty to me. It's $16 annually,, or $13 if you pay for 3 years. That's a $1 and change per month, or the cost of one restaurant meal. Considering the benefits I receive for having representation and for the information I get about relevant issues, I can't think of any greater cost/benefit ratio I get.
It's hard for me to fathom how anyone can "not be fond of" or criticize AARP for what they do - unless maybe you're 40 or under and have determined that you're being trampled on by the interest of an older generation or two. Wait till you get there, you may feel different.
Linda