The co-author of Computer Wars tells the story of how America's largest and most powerful lobby--the American Association of Retired Persons--overcame its shady origins to become a prominent--and responsible--player in the great debate over Social Security and Medicare.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com Review
In Will America Grow Up Before It Grows Old? Peter Peterson lays out in chilling detail the coming fiscal crisis that threatens to bankrupt the United States when the baby-boom generation slips into retirement. In The AARP, Charles Morris explains why. The culprit? The American Association of Retired People (AARP). According to Morris, until the television program "60 Minutes" blew the lid off of AARP in 1978, the organization was basically a front for selling overpriced insurance to the elderly--its political activism on behalf of retired people largely a cynical effort to establish credibility. Although the organization has clearly put those days behind it, AARP has yet to become an advocate for sound policies that would benefit society as a whole. As a result, this 800-pound gorilla of American politics may be dragging the country toward a monetary quagmire the likes of which it has never seen.
From Publishers Weekly
This book might more accurately have been titled Old Age Entitlements and You, for vast, important segments deal with Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid without reference to the American Association of Retired Persons as an organization. The AARP information is not uninteresting, but neither is it especially revelatory; Morris (Computer Wars) reviews its early history as an agency that primarily marketed insurance and other products to the aging via direct mail. Today's reformed AARP, which opened its files to the author, gets high marks from him as "an invaluable policy resource on senior issues" and as "one of the most responsible of all Washington lobbying organizations." On the fiscal soundness of old-age entitlement programs, Morris, like others in and out of Congress, warns us of the danger to Medicare and Medicaid, and stresses that although Social Security is not now in crisis, the program will become insolvent within 35 years, when some 70 million baby boomers begin to retire. In clear language, Morris interprets statistics and offers suggestions on medical reform and on how to avoid bankruptcy of senior entitlement programs, proposing what he describes as "muddling-through reforms." If his proposals are not original-means tests, increasing the age of eligibility to 70, improving self-regulation of excessive treatment in terminal illness, etc.
they reiterate the urgency of the problem.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.
they reiterate the urgency of the problem.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Solid Book,
By A Customer
This review is from: The Aarp: America's Most Powerful Lobby and the Clash of Generations (Hardcover)
I recommend this book to students all of the time, and it is still extremely relevant. It is relevant because it addresses issues pertaining to the current debate about social security. It does so from the vantage point of concern for the future outlook of social security for younger generations. I really appreciate the history in the book because it contextualizes the debate over social security reform. I learned a great deal from Morris' work.
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Disappointment,
By A Customer
This review is from: The Aarp: America's Most Powerful Lobby and the Clash of Generations (Hardcover)
Sadly, this book's title makes one think it will delve into AARP; unfortunately, it goes over the beginnings of the organization which are fairly well known and spends most of the time dealing with the fluid issues of Social Security, Medicare, long term care. The nature of these debates change like the seasons and what's relevant today is dead wood tomorrow.
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