This article by Philip Klein explains some connections of the AARP to Obama’s Stimulus money:
AARP Received $18 Million In Stimulus Money
AARP, which has given its full-throated support to Democratic health care legislation even though seniors remain largely opposed, received an $18 million grant in the economic stimulus package for a job training program that has not created any jobs, according to the Obama administration’s Recovery.gov website.
The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), according to the website, is “a work training program for unemployed mature workers who are 55+ and are at or below 125% of the poverty guidelines.” So far, $6.5 million has been spent on the program, and it has not reported creating any jobs.
In February, the Politico reported that AARP was putting pressure on Republican members of Congress to support the stimulus package.
Since then, AARP has moved on to lobbying for passage of health care legislation, even though Democratic proposals have called for several hundred billion dollars in cuts to Medicare, a program that the group typically defends tooth and nail when Republicans propose cutting it. A recent Pew survey found that just 31 percent of those over 65 supported health care legislation being touted by AARP.
As it turns out, AARP is also in a position to benefit financially if the health care legislation passes, because seniors losing benefits as a result of cuts to Medicare Advantage will be forced to buy Medigap policies, which is the main source of AARP revenue.
Barry Rand, the chief executive of AARP, was a big donor to the Obama campaign and has retained a cozy relationship with the administration.
The stimulus grant to AARP was reported by WatchDog.org, a site run by the Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity, which also found that stimulus funds were funneled into another liberal interest group, the National Council of La Raza.
UPDATE: AARP has not yet returned a call seeking comment.
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THEN ADD MY RECENT BLOG:
To Seniors Worried About Healthcare: Wonder WHY AARP Supports The Obama Healthcare Bill? It’s Connections HERE
Vision, Mission, Motto
For more than 50 years, AARP has been serving its members and creating positive social change.
AARP’s mission is to enhance the quality of life for all as we age, leading positive social change and delivering value to members through information, advocacy and service.
We believe strongly in the principles of collective purpose, collective voice, and collective purchasing power, and these principles guide all organization efforts.
AARP works tirelessly to fulfill its vision: a society in which everyone ages with dignity and purpose, and in which AARP helps people fulfill their goals and dreams.
NOW FOR THEIR CONNECTIONS:
The major connection to the AARP that should give ALL SENIORS Pause is the association of the AARP to Divided We Fail.org
From Divided We Fail.org’s own website:
About Divided We Fail
AARP, Business Roundtable, SEIU, and NFIB are stepping up to this challenge with
Divided We Fail so that Americans can achieve long-term financial security and get the health care they need.
“The winds of change are blowing. The rising cost of health care is not just a problem – it’s a crisis; and this partnership is evidence that Americans from all backgrounds are ready for fundamental, not incremental change.”
Andy Stern
International President of SEIU
From left to right, John Castellani, Business Roundtable; Bill Novelli, AARP; Todd Stottlemyer, NFIB; and Andy Stern, SEIU.
http://www.aarp.org/issues/dividedwefail/about_us/leadership
The following organizations have endorsed the Divided We Fail platform because they agree that access to quality, affordable health care and long-term financial security are basic needs that all Americans share.
http://www.aarp.org/issues/dividedwefail/about_us/list_of_supporting_organizations.html
Read the rest at the link to my blog:
SO:
AARP gets 18 MILLION dollars in Stimulus money.
AARP is connected to SEIU. (DividedWeFail.org)
SEIU>ACORN>SEIU>Obama
Is it about Power and Money,
Is the AARP deceptive to Senior Americans?
YOU DECIDE.
