"The AARP is well known for their liberal leanings. I would NEVER belong to them. as a retired school board member, I've always thought of them as the retirement plan for the NEA. (I know there are lots of conservative teachers, but their organization is extremely liberal)."

April 1, 2009

Email #1:

I knew there was a reason I could not enroll in AARP. God leads His dear Children along. And I am so glad. I will listen to His small voice when he whispers to me.
L.R. OK.

Email #2:

Tell your members that there is a conservative organization, that was recently started for seniors. American Seniors Association

Email #3:

One day I received a letter bidding me to join AARP, with a temporary membership card in it. I returned it today, after reading your email about the sex advertising in their book, and I told them just what I thought of that. I sent their card back, told them I wanted no part of AARP, and asked them to take me off their list. Thanks for letting me know. I knew it was liberal and I didn't want to join, but you gave me even morereason.
E.M.

Email #4: A copy of a letter to AARP from members --

Dear friends at AARP,

WE know the times have changed, but let's try to keep a bit of self respect. WE are protesting the sex ads in the magazine. We are long time members of AARP, and we think they are inappropriate.
M.M.

Email #5: Constantly solicited by AARP

I am constantly being solicited to join AARP, but I have resisted. I do not like the liberal lean and the sexually explicit advertising you do. Just thought I'd express my reasons for not becoming a member in case it makes a difference.
R.C.

AARP's RESPONSE LETTER --

Dear Ms. ...:

Thank you for contacting AARP to express your views on our Association. We value feedback such as yours and we have taken note of your comments.

Your input helps us determine how to enhance our activities on behalf of the majority of our membership and we appreciate your involvement in our decision-making process. We are constantly exploring better ways to serve our members and it is our hope that you will continue to share your ideas, concerns, and opinions with us.

Some perceive our positions as too conservative and some see them as too liberal. We are pleased to respond to your concerns.

In fact, AARP represents the needs of millions of members with lifestyles and political views as diverse as any group in the United States. As a membership organization, we focus our policies and programs on serving the needs of our 40 million members, their families, and the older population in general.

It is often the case that people in the later stages of life need services, help with income security, and access to health care they
never anticipated when they were younger. People who were long able to provide for themselves sometimes need help that only the government can give. Government projects-at times seen as unnecessary by those who have no need for them (like shuttle
transportation services, for example)-are fully appreciated when one can no longer drive. Some may interpret advocating for access to social programs or supporting nutritional projects as liberal. Likewise, our urging individuals to take more personal responsibility for staying engaged in the workforce and saving adequately for retirement can be characterized by some as conservative. AARP rejects that kind of labeling. Our activities and policies are derived from our members' needs.

The Association is strictly nonpartisan, neither liberal nor conservative, supporting neither Democrats nor Republicans. In fact,
our membership is about evenly split between the two parties. No officer, volunteer, or member speaking on behalf of the Association may endorse, oppose, or contribute financially to a candidate for public office or any political party. AARP's editors strive carefully to present balanced views in print on issues covered in AARP The Magazine and the Bulletin, our newspaper.

The legislative program for AARP incorporates ideas it gathers from members and others through policy forums, surveys, polls, phone calls, letters and email-communications such as yours.

With this input, and after carefully analyzing policy options, the all-volunteer National Policy Council recommends specific policies to the Association's volunteer Board of Directors. Once approved by the Board, the recommendations become AARP public policy and guide the activities of our volunteers and staff, as well as our legislative advocacy activities, during the year.

With 40 million members, it is difficult to craft a single policy statement that reflects the views of every member. However, we work very hard on an ongoing basis to ensure that the utmost care is taken to represent the views and the needs of the broadest majority of our members through a deliberative and thorough process.

Our compendium of public policies is a master "wish list" that covers a range of issues affecting older Americans. We recognize that not all of our policy proposals would be passed into law in any given year. Yet together, the policies set legislative goals and
regulatory standards important to the quality of older people's lives. It is AARP's vision that our policies reflect intelligent
consideration of our entire society's broad best interests, along with sensitivity to those most in need.

Again, thank you for taking the time to share your views. It's truly the combined interest, energy, commitment, and passion of our members that gives AARP the power to make life better.

Sincerely,
Jaimie
Member Communications
Member@aarp.org

[Editor's note: See contact info for AARP below]

Email #6:

I've heard there's a Christian alternative to AARP but don't remember the name. Does one of your readers know? I've never joined and never will. Now I have some ammunition other than just my "gut."
blessings ... pat

Editor's note: See below --

Email #7:

I have never opened a single piece of junk mail from AARP because I know that they are an extremely liberal, leftist group that does NOT have the well being of seniors at heart. They are a POLITICAL group, and therefore I suppose I should not be surprised to learn that they are now promoting such filth in their magazine. But yet when I read of things like that which you informed us of yesterday, it still makes me shake
my head in amazement.

Thanks for standing strong for decency in America!
Nancy M.
Euless, TX

Email #8:

We are NOT members of the AARP and REFUSED to be. There is a Conservative Seniors Group, we contribute to it in hope that they grow and end the monopoly of AARP. Best, Silvia.

Email #9:

Bill,

You're right to call AARP to task. Too many seniors are suckered in by their claims to care about them. Most of their literature reads as a tribute to liberalism, and their personal interest stories as a who's who of liberals. (And let's not forget that a very large number of "the greatest generation" is very liberal. My parents are in their mid-eighties and they say they are hard pressed to find seniors with conservative values.)

I have, however, taken another approach than those calling to an end of AARP memberships. I have figured that they spend far more sending me all the junk they send to their members than the $12.50 membership fee. The dozens and dozens and dozens of mailings, the monthly magazines and the monthly bulletins must cost them several times what I pay them in membership dues. I toss all their stuff right into the trash when I get it, and I get some satisfaction knowing that I'm costing them money.

Take care...
Bob

Email #10: A copy of a letter to AARP from X member --

Your advertising is getting to be a bit too much. A couple of years ago, I opened our magazine, and you had a woman in her bra displayed full page, and only from her neck to just below the bra, and cleavage. We don't get your magzine anymore. Now I hear you are advertising SEX TOYS with a video using REAL PEOPLE to demonstrate the joys of REAL lovemaking? Sex between a husband & wife is to be intimate, not made public. you must be desperate for advertising funds. To advertise this kind of pornography, and that is what it is, I pray more people will cancel your magazine, and their subscriptions. We won't support organizations that advertise this kind of SMUTT! I really hope you rethink your advertising, but I'm afraid the damage has already been done. Apparently you don't know the Lord, because He doesn't approve of this kind of stuff. Without Him, you have nothing, as you will see. May you get to know the love of Christ. an X member.

Email #11: Another point of view. "Oh well - there's always someone that likes to try to stick us." Bill

My 75 year old father is as sexually active now as any time in his life. There's no shame in enjoying the last years of his life the way he wants. He's widowed, as are many of the women he has contact with. As for why they would advertize in aarp magazine, perhaps you can teach an old dog new tricks...

Email #12: AARP's "less expensive" insurances

Like many other seniors, I have received many solicitations to join AARP. Not going to happen! I once checked out their "less expensive" car insurance with others, including my own. AARP was in 4th place on the premium list. Their medicare program is identical to all private insurance companies, so advertising in that area is baloney. As far as I'm concerned, AARP is a "non profit" insurance company, with a political agenda. Pople should wake up

Bob S.

Email #13: Another former member writes

I, also, withdrew my membership from AARP many years ago. Agree totally w/ Dr.L.K. I know you aren't in the business of promoting organizations, however a great Christian alternative is Significant Living. It's a ministry of Total Living International (recently merged.) They offer travel, opportunities for service, educational conferences, a newsletter covering Spiritual, Physical and Financial Health, and more. Check it out. We need to join together as a Christian alternative to AARP! I'm conservative to the core, and it meets my standards. Burt

Editor's note:
I checked out Total Living International and see that it is a member of the ECFA as we are. That's a good sign as well.
See:
http://www.ecfa.org/MemberProfile.aspx?ID=3951

Email #14:

Mr. Johnson, AARP magazine has been garbage for decades. They became rich left-wing liberal socialists on the backs of the elderly. I quit the magazine and AARP 40 years ago. Jack T.

Express your indignation to AARP at:

AARP
William Novelli - CEO
601 E St. NW
Washington, DC 20049
Phone: 202-434-7700
Fax: 202-434-7710
Toll Free: 888-687-2277
Email: member@aarp.org
Or email: media@aarp.org

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http://americandecency.org/folder.php?f=donate
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To purchase a copy of "Fireproof" - one of the most inspirational Christian films of all time.
Call 888-733-2326.

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American Decency Association
Bill Johnson, President
P.O. Box 202
Fremont, MI 49412
ph: 231-924-4050
http://www.americandecency.org