AARP, or the American Association of Retired Persons, is a non-profit organization that provides a variety of services and benefits to its members. It was founded in 1958 and has since grown to become one of the largest and most influential organizations in the United States. While AARP has traditionally been seen as a nonpartisan organization, it does have a political agenda and has taken stances on various issues over the years. This article will discuss where AARP falls on the political spectrum and its stance on various social, economic, and foreign policy issues.
What is AARP?
AARP is a non-profit organization that provides services and benefits to its members who are over the age of 50. It is best known for its health insurance plans, but also offers discounts on travel, entertainment, and other services. AARP also advocates for seniors’ rights in Congress and lobbies for legislation that benefits seniors. It has over 38 million members in all 50 states and Puerto Rico.
AARP’s Political History
AARP was founded in 1958 by Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus as an advocacy group for senior citizens. Since then, it has become one of the most influential organizations in the United States, with millions of members across all 50 states and Puerto Rico. AARP’s mission statement is to “empower people to choose how they live as they age” and it works to ensure that seniors have access to quality health care, financial security, and independence.
AARP and the Republican Party
AARP has traditionally been seen as a nonpartisan organization, but it does have a political agenda. Historically, it has had a good relationship with the Republican Party, particularly when it comes to issues such as Social Security reform and Medicare reform. In recent years, however, AARP has taken stances that oppose some Republican policies such as repealing Obamacare or cutting funding for Social Security or Medicare.
AARP and the Democratic Party
The Democratic Party has traditionally been seen as more supportive of AARP’s agenda than the Republican Party. The Democratic Party supports many of AARP’s positions on Social Security reform, Medicare reform, healthcare reform, retirement security, prescription drug prices, long-term care costs, Social Security disability insurance (SSDI), and other issues affecting older Americans.
AARP and the Libertarian Party
The Libertarian Party generally agrees with some of AARP’s positions on Social Security reform and Medicare reform but disagrees with other aspects of its agenda such as government-run healthcare programs or higher taxes on wealthy individuals or corporations to fund social programs for seniors. The Libertarian Party believes that individuals should be responsible for their own retirement savings and healthcare decisions rather than relying on government programs.
AARP’s Stance on Social Issues
AARP supports social issues such as civil rights protections for LGBT individuals, equal pay for women in the workplace, immigration reform that provides a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants who are already living in the United States, expanding access to affordable housing options for seniors living on fixed incomes or low wages, protecting Social Security benefits from cuts or privatization efforts by Congress or future administrations, expanding access to affordable healthcare coverage options through Medicaid expansion or other programs such as Obamacare or Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage plans; supporting public education initiatives; advocating for stronger consumer protections against fraud; promoting healthy lifestyles; supporting veterans’ rights; advocating for stronger gun control laws; promoting environmental protection initiatives; fighting elder abuse; supporting paid family leave initiatives; opposing discrimination based on race or religion; advocating for better access to mental health services; promoting financial literacy among seniors; supporting efforts to combat poverty among seniors; advocating for greater access to technology among seniors; opposing voter suppression efforts by state legislatures; opposing efforts to weaken labor unions; supporting efforts to raise minimum wage levels across the country; supporting efforts to increase access to affordable childcare options; increasing access to job training opportunities for unemployed workers including senior citizens; advocating for stronger consumer protections against predatory lenders targeting vulnerable populations including seniors; supporting efforts to close gender pay gaps between men and women in the workplace including at senior levels of management positions within companies ;and fighting income inequality across all demographic groups including seniors living on fixed incomes or low wages
AARPs Stance on Economic Issues
AARP supports economic policies that reduce inequality while providing economic stability such as raising taxes on wealthy individuals or corporations while protecting middle class taxpayers from tax increases through tax credits or deductions; increasing investment in infrastructure projects such as roads bridges airports etc.; increasing support for small businesses through tax incentives grants loans etc.; reducing regulations on businesses while protecting consumers from predatory practices by businesses such as price gouging hidden fees etc.; increasing investment in renewable energy sources such as solar wind geothermal etc.; promoting fair trade policies between countries which promote job growth in both countries while protecting workers from exploitation ;increasing investment in education initiatives which provide students with skills needed in today’s economy ;promoting fiscal responsibility by reducing federal debt while investing in programs which benefit all Americans including those living at or below poverty level ;supporting efforts which create jobs without sacrificing environmental protection standards ;promoting sound monetary policy which helps stabilize prices while providing economic growth ;protecting consumers from unfair practices by banks credit card companies payday lenders etc.; promoting financial literacy among all Americans including those living at or below poverty level ;supporting efforts which reduce student loan debt while still allowing students access to higher education opportunities ;supporting efforts which reduce poverty while still providing incentives which encourage work effort ;and promoting economic policies which benefit workers while still allowing businesses flexibility to adjust their workforce size according to market conditions
AARPs Stance on Foreign Policy Issues
AARPs stance on foreign policy issues can be summed up by its commitment “to promote peace prosperity human rights democracy international law respect for international humanitarian law sustainable development free trade global health security global climate change mitigation energy security human migration governance transparency accountability good governance international development cooperation international justice global security terrorism prevention conflict resolution disarmament arms control nonproliferation regional integration regional stability regional security regional cooperation regional development regional integration regionalism multilateralism interdependence collective security collective defense collective action multilateral dialogue global governance global partnership global solidarity global responsibility global citizenship global solidarity global leadership global commitment global engagement “. In addition,AARPs supports diplomatic solutions whenever possible,opposes military intervention except when absolutely necessary,supports humanitarian aid when appropriate,encourages peaceful resolution of conflicts,advocates free trade agreements,supports free speech & civil liberties worldwide,supports human rights & international law,and encourages international cooperation & dialogue.
How To Join AARP?
Joining AARPs is easy! All you need is proof of being over 50 years old (such as a driver’s license) and an email address so you can sign up online at www.aarp.org/join.Once you join you will receive exclusive discounts on travel entertainment dining insurance products home & auto services shopping & more! You will also have access to special events webinars podcasts articles & more! Plus you’ll get exclusive member benefits like discounts at restaurants hotels car rentals cruises gyms & more! Joining is quick easy & free so don’t wait – join today!
