I didn't arrive at 64 years old by accident, and have arrived here by being a good student of life.  The greed and corruption that surrounds us in all walks of life is shameful.  There is no race, gender, political ideology, or religious affiliation involved in turpitude, it surrounds us.  If the motives aren't motivated by money, they are for power.

It doesn't matter what AARP says now that the heat has been turned up on this health care issue.   I read the information sent to us by AARP, and even since CEO Bill Novelli AARP policy has been to promote health care reform, nothing has been more clear since A. Barry Rand has been on board. Bill Novelli stuck to the claim of being bipartisan and although very political, used that to his and AARP's advantage.  Barry Rand is an avid Obama supporter, and supports his agenda in spite of the lack of clarity in both House and Senate versions of the health care legislation.  Proof of the fact that Barry Rand is a passionate supporter of all that Obama has on his agenda is campaign contributions which maxed out at $4600 for 2008.  Bill Novelli in all his years with AARP as CEO contributed nothing to a party or presidential candidate.

When Bill Novelli was CEO, the following statement was made in a 02/25/2009 AARP document in which he was applauding the president for his commitment to reform healthcare.  Novelli also laid out bipartisan guidelines for specific issues that addressed those 50-64 years of age that represented the fastest growing group of uninsured. "AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates."  Barry Rand may not be violating this policy, but he sure is bending the spirit of the intent by his clear support for Obama and his agenda.  No matter how close in line Barry Rand was with Obama we’ll never know for sure, but it is clear that opposing public opinion has altered a health care agenda filled with blind corners and deceit.

In spite of what party you support, we have concrete evidence over the years that it would be irresponsibly naïve to blindly trust anyone in Washington D.C. to legislate what is best for us, especially something as crucial as our health and well being.  We as Americans, especially us seniors, need to be vigilant and independently informed of, each and every legislation that is being pushed through Congress at unprecedented speed.  Our future and the future of generations to come rely on decisions we allow to be made by representatives that live by totally different rules than those that govern us.  How is that genuine representation?

Here is what we do know about the current health care bills in Congress, and at the very least should raise red flags for any logically clear thinking citizen. If we as citizens wanted to read the legislation that effects us what would we read?  There are no less than four versions of legislation in Congress, one of which is 1,017 pages, none of which are clear enough to interpret without a law degree and capable of explaining intent.  Why such urgency in signing into law when so few have even had a chance to digest the content, including our elected in Congress?  What happened to the current administration’s highly touted transparency and ability of citizens to review legislation before it becomes law?  What happened to eliminating business as usual and mandating a bipartisan effort to legislation?  There are many more red flags and causes for concern, but this has to end somewhere, so I will finish up with this last thought.  It is pretty certain that tax on health care benefits is one of the ways this $1.5 trillion-dollar monster will have to be funded, but it brings up my final question.  Why would Congress and Union workers be exempt from such a necessary taxation?

Seniors that belong to AARP are 40 million strong, and along with millions of other concerned American citizens need to continue putting pressure on the elected officials.  We have seen the results, and they are positive!  Don’t be fooled by members of Congress and the administration into thinking that we don’t matter.  The only time we don’t matter is when we are silent and don’t ask questions that demand answers.  We have two weeks left of directly having our voices heard before Congress can once again hide behind their unanswered phone calls, and senseless boiler-plate email and snail mail responses to legitimate questions.  Don’t forget there are other issues we should be addressing like Cap & Trade and Immigration reform which both severely effect the miserable economy and unemployment which will be with us for untold years.