Liberal Alternative to AARP?
I have long suspected that AARP really wasn't much more than a PR/Marketing arm for UHC & now, with their sponsorship of the upcoming ALEC Conference, I've quit them!
I see that there are a number of Conservative alternatives for folks who think AARP is too progressive - HA!
The only option that I've found is the Alliance for Retired Americans https://retiredamericans.org/ which is associated with the AFL-CIO. Does anybody here know anything about them? They look pretty Left to me:
"Our Issues - Get involved! Here’s how you can take action:
Economic Security – Tell Congress to expand our earned Social Security benefits! Did you know that Americans will not be getting a Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) in 2016? Urge Congress to require that the Social Security Administration base future COLAs on the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), which much more accurately reflects the cost of things retirees purchase, including health care and housing.
Retirement Security – Defined benefit pension plans are under attack. Read our fact sheets, attend our local events, and join our lobbying efforts to ensure that America’s retirees, their spouses and their partners are able to maintain their standard of living after a lifetime of work. Americans should not fall into poverty as they age.
Health Care Security – Medicare celebrated its 50th Birthday in 2015. Help make sure it lasts another 50 years by sharing your story about what the program has meant to you and your family. Read about the experiences of other Alliance members and educate your children and grandchildren about this American success story, so that Medicare remains strong for them."
Statement by Richard Fiesta, executive director of the Alliance for Retired Americans, regarding AARP’s sponsorship of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC):
“We’re deeply disappointed to learn that AARP is sponsoring ALEC, an organization that has supported state efforts that hurt seniors and working Americans."
“ALEC is a major force behind the rise of state Voter ID laws, which disproportionately hurt seniors and take away their ability to cast their votes, and have opposed efforts to rein in prescription drug prices."
“Other companies, including Ford and Google, have withdrawn their support for ALEC. If AARP truly represents the interests of seniors, then it should do the same.”
Any DU Members have any thoughts or other recommendations?
= new reply since forum marked as read
"The only option that I've found is the Alliance for Retired Americans https://retiredamericans.org/ which is associated with the AFL-CIO. Does anybody here know anything about them? They look pretty Left to me"
---^^ from the OP. 
(I have not heard that they are asso.with AFL-CIO, but perhaps so.)
We have been told about the calamity that would come when all the baby boomers would need government assistance in long term care.
Premium are expensive, especially since most of us start looking at our late 50s and 60s. And, many providers left the field.
All we need to do - and I've written to anyone who I though of - is to treat these premiums like IRA contributions, let tax payers take credit to adjust their gross income.
Tax payers over 50 can deduct $6500 in IRA contribution. Average Long term premium is $3500. Thus, the treasury would "lose" less and the return for tax payers would be large.
Also, one would think, with all the Republicans thriving for "self sufficiency" that we should be encouraged to provide for our own.
