Republicans going after AARP

Source

Is this a response to the AARP's support for the recent healthcare reform?

Pissing off seniors is never a wise political move.

AARP shouldn't be tax-exempt in the first place. Let 'em pay their taxes like any other lobbying enterprise.

'bout damned time.

Or...could it be that it's in response to a non-profit getting involved in politics in such a way as to violate it's charter?

Obamacare is currently taking monies away from Medicare. AARP also applied and was granted a waiver from the legislation.

I'd be curious why any senior citizen hasn't returned their membership cards after scraping the crust out of their used Depends.

Republicans seem to forget what percentage of their base is 65 or older. This should be interesting...

Yes...because it's much more important to win votes than it is to do address an obvious problem.

So how do you feel about churches keeping their tax exempt status if they're involved in the same type of political lobbying as AARP.

This should be interesting....

Cite one politician who believes otherwise.

What I feel is that an interrogatory should end with a question mark.

What I think is that you'll have to show me an example of a church engaged in that kind of activity.

So, then, you're not doing hypotheticals today.

Is that a statement?

And that has what to do with the AARP? Oh wait I understand in your mind everyone is a member of some group which is represented by an advocate. The AARP is the Advocate for the senior's group therefore attacking it is an attack on all seniors. :smoking:

Why is this such a shock?

Didn't Pelosi just last week let the cat out of the bag? Us righties have an agenda to kill old people.

I didn't end it with a question mark.

Not in my mind. In the minds of AARP members. There are few more vocal groups. Just watch how this plays out.

So your basic political protection racket. look the other way while we scam old people into think our proprietary shit is the only alternative they have, and that we are the only ones who care about them, or we'll lie to them some more and you'll be toast.

Look the other way while we continue to pick their pocket...and we'll still support Democrats but at least we won't sick the walking sticks on you.

It's so satisfying when you quibble over typos when you're dodging.

In any case, bookmarking this because it'll make for delightful egg on your face in the future.

AARP is associated with more senior citizens than it deserves to be. I know plenty of elderly who wouldn't have anything to do with it.

Holding AARP to the same standard as everyone else is not going to piss off a lot of seniors.

What you're bookmarking is your inability to either name a politician who doesn't think it's much more important to win votes than it is to do address an obvious problem (not even one?) or to give a concrete example of a church doing the same sort of politicking as the AARP.

But by all means, knock yourself out.

Churches follow a different set of rules from the AARP. A church is incorporated as a nonprofit under 501(c)(3), whereas the AARP is incorporated as a nonprofit under 501(c)(4). A 501(c)(3) is prohibited from lobbying, a 501(c)(4) is not.

So as long as the earnings of the AARP are not specifically benefiting any shareholder or individual, they're in the clear.

Relevant IRS Code

Isn't the AARP their base?

IIRC, 65 and older people tend to vote Democratic because they think that Dems are more likely to protect Social Security, Medicare, and other programs that mainly benefit older people.

Regardless of whether they agree on social issues or not.

I don't remember the details, but IIRC the age group most supportive of the GOP tends to be the 45-55 age group.

That is, the age group that are in their most productive earnings years by and large.

I could be wrong of course.

How big a chunk could we take out of the deficit by doing away with all tax exempt organizations?

Most lobbying enterprises are fully or partially tax-exempt, depending on whether or not their functions are primarily or totally exempt functions.

I'm not sure it would be legal to do so. If you taxed churches it would be a law prohibiting the free exercise of religion. If you taxed lobbying organizations on exempt functions it would be like levying a fine on government redress.

IIRC, courts have basically ruled that "giving money for a cause" is the equivalent of protected free speech.

So I doubt you could really legally tax most advocacy groups.

My parents dropped their AARP membership after AARP supported the health scam bill.

The world's just a giant toilet, waiting to flush you down.

Zel's Dad died in 2003 but you can't tell these people this. They keep on mailing shit for eternity. A waste on so many levels.

I wonder if he's still listed as an active member? How many dead people shore up the rolls do you think?

I don't know what point this proves, maybe it's cheaper to continue mailing shit for eternity than it is to pay people to keep an eye on death records.

They cry poor, but they're well staffed. Plenty of clerical help, and it's not hard to keep an eye on members who've stopped responding...you know...with technology and all.