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While the AARP presents itself as being a champion of retired people, some members have left its folds because of its recent health care lobbying efforts.
The gist of the criticism is that the AARP, which brands a variety of insurances, is acting in its own financial interest rather than in the best interest of its members. While it is reasonable to except a business to be in the business of making a profit, the AARP is supposed (or so the critics claim) to act for the best interest of its members rather than to be in the business of maximizing its profits.
Of course, the AARP has an obvious reply-while they are making profits, they also claim to be acting for the good of their members. This is, of course, a factual matter that can be sorted out by crunching the numbers (profits for the AARP relative to the benefits gained by the AARP members).
Of course, the AARP is not the only organization that presents itself as serving the interest of its members while also making a profit. While I am not yet old enough for the AARP, I do belong to the NEA. When I joined the faculty union in Florida, I also got a membership in this national organization.
Naturally, I had thought that the NEA was supposed to lobby and act in the interest of educators. However, I soon learned that the NEA was also in the credit card and insurance business. I regularly get junk mail (paid for by my dues, no doubt) pushing NEA credit cards and insurance. While I am for organizations providing benefits, it struck me as bit odd that my union was involved in such things. After all, my thought is that the NEA should be involved in doing what it is supposed to do and this does not include credit cards and insurance.
One obvious concern about such groups being involved in insurance and credit cards is that they now have a motive to make money and this can lead to a conflict of interest. After all, the NEA and AARP are (in theory) supposed to be acting in the interest of their members. However, if they are also in the business of pushing insurance, then this can be a bit of a conflict.
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“I am for organizations providing benefits, it struck me as bit odd that my union was involved in such things. After all, my thought is that the NEA should be involved in doing what it is supposed to do”” Why? Are educators somehow morally superior? If you worked in the private sector for a large pharmaceutical company that was able to negotiate better money market, CD , or life insurance rates for its employees, or offer a good health care plan because it could get group rates at a good price would you be so conflicted? Would you say no thanks, this is a pharmaceutical company? Your employer does whatever necessary to maximize profits for the shareholders. Why shouldn’t he maximize benefits for you? Even if you’re an employee who earns so little he can’t buy a share of company stock?
No, my view is not that educators are morally superior. I just thought it was odd that my union was trying to sell me stuff. I have no problem with my union negotiating for good deals on relevant services. For example, I am fine with the fact that the union works (or claims to work) to get better deals for us on our medical insurance.
But, to get credit card offers and such that are the same as I could get elsewhere was a bit odd. Then again, maybe that is what unions are supposed to do? Sell you crap?
If selling crap is all your union does I’d suggest getting out of it. If it offers competitive rates on CDs money market and the like given the other benefits unions provide you might consider staying in. I just Googled neamb.com and bankaholic.com and based on minimum balances required you can get better rates than NEA a few places in the country and a lot worse ones in a lot of places. Being offered crap if that’s what you think it is doesn’t mean you have to buy crap.They both claim non-profit status. If they don’t live up to that claim the appropriate NPO oversight group in Washington should deal with that.
Oh, I don’t buy it. I have a good credit card (well, good for a credit card) already. I’m just in the union for the union benefits. I get the NEA and FTP as part of the package.
Acorn is a non-profit and non partisan group….lmfao! Is congress all over them?
By definition, is Acorn an NPO? “A nonprofit organization is an organization that does not distribute its surplus funds to owners or shareholders, but instead uses them to help pursue its goals” wiki. From my brief experience here on earth I’d say non-partisan is a more subjective term than NPO.The CBO is non-partisan. That means that when the numbers they generate favor Republicans, the Republicans praise their non-partisanship. When the numbers they generate favor Democrats the Democrats praise the CBO’s objectivity. Though an NPO’s goals might coincide mostly with one party or another there would surely be times when it would have to back the other party’s views to pursue its goals. The NEA does that. The ACLU is a non-partisan NPO.The NRA likewise. Republicans occasionally agree with the ACLU and join them in their actions, the Democrats occasionally agree with the NRA. In brief if an org is truly an NPO it’ll by definition be non-partisan to some degree.
Well Acorn is a little different as they get government funds to ‘get out the vote’ in a non partisan way. The register Democrats 90%+ and actually have political agendas. I know what you are saying, I just thought I’ld throw in a tangent that was semi related as I thought it was the best chance I would get. 🙂
Just to continue on the tangent. This from answer.com. “Through the founders’ efforts, the state of New York granted the NRA $25,000 to create a practice ground on a 100-acre lot on Long Island.” and “The U.S. government supplied $3 million a year and the use of 5,000 troops a year for these tournaments.” And this from urielw.com whatever that is “Although its website proclaims that it does not receive “any government funding,” it does get money from a program that allows federal employees to make charitable contributions through payroll deductions. Last year it got $470,000 from the program.” Seems everyone’s got their mitts in government pockets.
I see what you are saying. I do not have enough information on the firt par with the tournaments to make an opinnion one way or another though it does seem like a very non-political event. The charitable contributions are their own money though. They could give it to the ‘People for Impeaching Bush’ charity for all I care.
Oops! I left out something. I was trying to balance the liberal/conservative side of the issue:( “urielw.com whatever that is says the ACLU “Although its website proclaims etc “.
Do nea members get a discount on AARP dues?
I don’t know. http://assets.aarp.org/www.aarp.org_/promotions/sem/member01.html?cmp=IVS-KNC-ACQ-PMD-ACQJOIN