The Friday, January 21, Wall Street Journal provides the Republican-led Americans Against Retired Persons (AARP) with cover in an article entitled “On Social Security, It’s Bush vs. AARP.” While the Journal is honest enough to mention that AARP was instrumental in passing the Bush Administration Medicare fiasco, they pretend that AARP will make a stand on Social Security. As I predicted, they won’t. The article shows AARP already laying the groundwork to destroy Social Security in the concluding paragraph:
“Meanwhile, the organization continues to sponsor community forums nationwide in which attendees give their preferences on options for cutting Social Security costs. AARP conducted 56 sessions nationwide in the past year, from Fargo, N.D., to Las Vegas and Caribou, Maine. ‘It’s remarkable to see how, in most cases, it’s been pretty smooth,’ [AARP director of strategy and policy] Mr. [John “It’s Our Business To Be Less Than Candid”] Rother says. ‘They see you’re not going to be able to protect Social Security exactly as it is.’”
Yes, it is remarkable. A program that will not see deficits until four to five decades from now by Bush Administration and congressional estimates is now an immediate priority for drastic change because of…nothing. It’s a tremendously successful program - and has been for years. Nonetheless, AARP is doing its part to destroy Social Security by setting the stage - they’re asking people how to cut Social Security (instead of getting rid of the much costlier, record deficit-inducing Bush tax cut for the wealthy - money that could go to offset Social Security deficits, and other important programs, decades from now). It’s kind of like asking, “When did you stop beating your spouse?” The crime (and answer) is in the question. Look for AARP to cut a deal with Republicans that cuts out seniors. It may not happen this year, but unless AARP changes leadership, you can bet it’s going to happen. Seniors need to retire their AARP membership - and vote out the legislators that support Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest, and Social Security cuts for the rest of us.
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