Open Letter to the AARP

I have just seen a report on Fox News about last night's "town hall" meeting held by an AARP representative to discuss the current healthcare proposals. I found the entire incident so appaling that I just sent them the letter below, which I share here in hopes that anyone else who is a member and feels strongly about this might also comment:

Your website states, "...AARP's policies are determined not by the staff in Washington, D.C., but by AARP members. We gather members' ideas from town meetings, phone calls, letters, emails, surveys and polls...." Yet, the nasty display that I saw aired this morning of an AARP update session conducted by a rude lady hardly underlines this point. Adding more fuel to the fire, your PR representative who was just on Fox News failed to acknowledge any of these principles and dismissed the whole incident without apology.

I am ashamed to be represented by AARP if this is the way you will do so. Could it be that you are allowing your insurance business to dictate your policy rather than the wishes of your members? Let's be clear: my wife and I are just two ordinary members of your organization, and we DO NOT SUPPORT the new healthcare proposal.

We have no general axes to grind, and no one tells us what to say or do. This is us saying that the healthcare proposal is flawed. We'd rather have the current system than anything approaching this bill.

So do not think that you are representing us when you support this bill. And I hope that instead of maintaining this arrogant stance, you will re-evaluate your position and support the wishes of your membership, as you say you do.

I doubt I will get a reply, but if you agree, please pass this around.