The AARP stands for (Beliefs):
enhancing the quality of life for all as we age
positive social change for everyone
delivering value to members through information, advocacy, and service
Well known activists of AARP(Known Political Supporters) include
Liam Neeson
Morgan Freeman
Denzel Washington
Charles Rangel(House-Democrat: New York)
Ted Kennedy(Senator-Democrat: Massachusetts)
Michael Bennett(Senator-Democrat: Colorado)
Kim Basinger
Sigourney Weaver
Political Activities-
AARP services bagan in 1999 and was establish to regulate the products as well as its services AARP creates to benefit their memebers of almost 38+ million. These offers include health products, travel and leisure products, and life event services. More specifically the AARP services provide medicare supplemental insurance, member discounts on rental cars, cruises, vacation packages and lodging, technology and gifts, pharmacy services, legal services, and lastly long-term care insurance. AARP also uses federal funds (86 million dollars) to which came from direct grants to have tax couseling which supports their stand on giving elders jobs. The AARP is also active in supporting the Democratic platform. This is because the democrats positions on issues inside the country fall into one of the largest interest groups in the nation. These issues include the the social security reform and most importantly the health care reform. In conclusion, AARP's political activity is very high. Some people think that AARP is using their members for what they want as an organization(60plus.org). However, by the public, it is an interest group that fights for their memebers wishes of governmental policies.
Legislation Attempts-
The biggest piece of legislation AARP has supported is the health care reform or "Obamacare" as it has been dubbed. This bill, now passed, will provide government health care towards all citizens. Also with this bill, every person must get health care through the government thus closing many private insurance companies such as Blue Cross/ Blue Shield, Cigna and Aetna. AARP wanted this bill to pass because this follows the group's interests. It allows protection for every single one of it's members since health insurance is now required which would fall under " the improvement of life of peoiple over the age of 50". AARP argues that it levels the playing field when it comes to protection among citizens.
Common Supporters-
Every member of the AARP is over the age of 50 since the interest group fight's for the rights of senior citizens. As with all members, they must have an income of some sort due to the 16 dollar fee a month to join it. From many polls, it has been surmised that supporters of the AARP are more likely Democrats than Republicans due to the nature of the organization itself. Republican's don't like the way the organization is getting benefits for the elderly.
PAC Involvement-
The AARP is one of the few special interest groups that do not have PAC's. They don't use these because the AARP generates so much revenue just for joining in the first place. To be a member, it's a monthly fee of 16 dollars, so multiply that by it's 38+ million members and there's some serious money in da bank. That is roughly about 1 billion dollars in revenue so PAC's are pointless when this interest group has all the money it could ever ask for.
