Title: AARP: Money First, Seniors Second
Headings: AARP: Money First, Seniors Second
AARP: Money First, Seniors Second
Russel Hanson is the pen name of a writer in Washington, D.C.

Content: What many AARP members don't know is that their money is often being spent on lobbying and political contributions, primarily on Democratic causes. AARP claims that they do "not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates." Of course, because that would be illegal. But its employees do make such contributions. According to Open Secrets, from 2007-2008, AARP employees contributed to twenty federal candidates, 16 of whom were Democrats. Only $550 went to Republican presidential nominee John McCain, while Barack Obama received $30,901. AARP employees also contributed $496,169 to state candidates in 2008. In addition, in 2009 and 2010, the years in which the roiling debate over health care took place, AARP spent over $43 million on lobbying. In 2010, it directly employed sixty-five lobbyists (and six indirectly) through firms including Quinn Gillespie & Assoc and Williams & Jensen. AARP is a political juggernaut, and it knows how to toss its weight around.