Take That AARP!

So the other day I did something my parents would always tell me not to do (kind of like the time I wrote a letter to the local paper to tell them an editorial they ran was stupid). Well this time I chose to call the AARP a bunch of asshats. They do some good things, like fighting for better health care in America and sticking up for seniors. But if you are under 35, they are asking you to bend over since you will end up paying for whatever happens to Social Security. Below is my email and the response I got from them (it is largely a form letter that skips the major points I tried to sarcastically raise in my letter).

To Whom It May Concern:

I want to say thank you. In the middle of a subprime mortgage crisis you, as you have been for many years now, continue to mortgage my future. So I want to thank you for your disregard for me, as well as the many thousands like me. As a young person, I clearly do not deserve the benefit of a brighter future.

You see there are three main ways to address the costs of Social Security and Medicare. We can (1) cut benefits (2) raise the eligibility age for benefits or (3) increase the costs of copayments/premiums/etc. The AARP opposes all of these three measures. The result is there is only one option left in the bag. Of course, that option is to raise (payroll) taxes on those who are still working. With the upcoming tidal wave of Baby Boomer retirements, the current problems with Social Security solvency are only going to be exacerbated.

This means there are lots of new taxes coming to support Social Security and Medicare (if you cannot rule out the three options above then this is all that is left on the table). And we all know who is going to get stuck with those rising taxes to fund these entitlements, American workers, especially those new workers just joining the job market.

So as a recent college graduate, I want to thank you for your unwillingness to compromise and work out some sort of deal on Social Security and Medicare that does not place the entire burden of supporting entitlements on young people. Let’s not mince words, this is my future on the line. When the time comes that I have trouble buying a car, a house, or a basic middle-class life, I will remember how you thought my future was so unimportant as to stick me with your entire bill. After all, it is only my future, it is not like I really deserve it. So thank you for working so hard to keep it from me.

Best,

ME

P.S. I vote


Dear ME:

Thank you for contacting us to express concern that when AARP vigorously represents older Americans, it might possibly be at the expense of younger Americans.

The vision of AARP today is broad-to improve the quality of life for all people as we age. As an organization of people who are 50 and older, it's true that many of our programs and legislative initiatives serve the needs of the current older population.

Adequate income security and health care programs do help prolong the independence of older Americans, no doubt. However, it is important to remember that when the independence of older people is maintained,the burden of responsibility carried by other family members is lighter, and family resources are freed to better assist the young. Social Security and Medicare have dramatically improved the quality of life for today's retirees. AARP continues to work to protect and enhance these programs not only for current beneficiaries, but to strengthen them for today's young people who will need to depend on them in the future.

For most people, financial security depends on a lifetime of working and saving. AARP serves all working people by fighting against age discrimination in the work place, advocating for expanded pension sand other retirement savings opportunities, and working for safe,affordable and high-quality utility services, to name a few examples.

As we participate in the policy making process in Washington and the state capitals, we recognize that many of the troubled medical and financial circumstances in which people find themselves late in life result from childhood problems such as poor education and poor health care. Therefore, AARP works with the Children's Defense Fund,Generations United, and other inter generational organizations to support measures that improve services to children, improve educational opportunities and our schools, or provide health coverage for uninsured children. Legislative strategies that pit one deserving group against another are not tolerated by AARP.

We are also concerned with the federal budget deficit and the fiscal burden that may be inherited by younger Americans. We have supported budget discipline measure, such as congressional "PAYGO" rules for tax cuts and entitlement changes. In addition, we constantly look for ways to address waste and unnecessary spending in public programs, especially in health care. We look at expenditures from revenues within the tax code as well as at direct-spending programs for opportunities to save taxpayer funds. In the long run,investments in human capital, biomedical research, and physical infrastructure will support a stronger economy and the growing numbers of older Americans.

We know that, like you, most AARP members are very concerned about the shape of the future for their children and grandchildren. Our priorities carefully reflect those concerns. As we work to improve the quality of life for today's older Americans, we work for future generations as well.

Thank you again for taking time to get in touch. I hope this information is reassuring. It is always a pleasure to respond to a member's concerns.

Sincerely,

SOME LADY
Member Communications