Cancelling AARP

Letter I wrote to AARP's Executive Director.
I have not yet received a reply.

Gee I wonder why?

William D Novelli
Executive Director
AARP

Dear Mr. Novelli:

I have waited until my renewal notice came through to send this letter.

Please be advised that I am canceling my membership and respectfully request that my name be removed from any and all of your mailing lists.

I am in no way involved in any type of mail writing campaign. This request is simply based upon my utter disgust with the partisan political demagoguery practiced by AARP.

In my humble opinion, you have taken AARP way beyond the mission of representing and/or advocating all of the people who meet the membership requirements.

One of my pet peeves is how often Lincoln’s great words are misstated. We are a government “of the people, by the people, for the people.” Too often for is exchanged with by.

There is a distinct difference. The misstatement always suggests a “pure democracy.” Guess these people also did not pay attention when they were being taught about the Electoral College.

However, AARP in its misguided and unfounded political posturing does not even attempt to be “by or for the people.” The organization has gone the way of all bureaucracies that think they are there to “help the people.” Of course the big mistake is they believe the people do not really understand all of the issues. So they end up becoming, at best, “benevolent dictatorships.”

Unfortunately you do adhere to being, “of the people,” by using the fees of millions of members (not at all unlike the labor unions) to pontificate a biased set of limited principles.

I for one will not continue as one of those millions. Yes, I realize my one cancellation will register about 0.00001 on the political Richter scale. Yet, I just cannot continue to be told how to think in exchange for AARP’s bribe of benefits.

If I continued my membership, then I would be guilty of acceding to your dictates. The only reason to continue my membership would be if I truly believed I could affect change. However, we both know that you and your cohorts will never allow that to happen.