Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

Now Republicans adopt con-man tactics.

Mar 13, 2004 12:29AM PST

>>AARP, the advocacy group for people over age 50 that opposes diverting Social Security taxes into private accounts, is irked about a new organization with a similar name -- minus one A -- that is advocating the changes. The new group, founded by Republicans, is called Alliance for Retirement Prosperity, or ARP. "Gee, what a coincidence," said John Rother, AARP's policy director. <<
That full story is at AARP upset new group named ARP.

As for the con-man angle? One of their well-known tactics is to "borrow" a well-known and respected group's cachet by chosing a similar name for their own sleazy operation: >>a name similar to a reputable organization's is used -- such as "American Cancer Center" instead of the American Cancer Society.<<
See Telemarketing/Direct Marketing Fraud.

-- Dave K, Speakeasy Moderator
click here to email semods4@yahoo.com

The opinions expressed above are my own,
and do not necessarily reflect those of CNET!

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Before joining look carefully at what they endorse...
Mar 24, 2004 5:47AM PST

AARP is pretty far to the left with their endorsements and they don't stick to issues regarding elderly or retired.

They branch out a lot into unfamiliar territory kind of like the CDC with deciding gunshot wounds are a disease but vehicle accident injuries and industrial accidents are not.

- Collapse -
Kemp, a co-founder of the 'sleazy operation' speaks out
Mar 22, 2004 10:56AM PST
AARP fears competition, not confusion
Jack Kemp


In the letter we received threatening to sue the alliance, AARP's lawyers claimed that our group is intentionally producing a "likelihood of confusion in the marketplace," and as a result we are engaging in "unfair competition." Contrary to AARP's assertions, we seek not to create confusion but to clarify, and not to litigate but to compete in the marketplace of ideas. I am so confident that our ideas for reforming Social Security are superior to AARP's reactionary opposition to personal accounts, that I, along with my two co-chairs have formally challenged AARP to a series of town hall debates around the country to dispel any confusion between the two organizations and where we stand on the issue of personal retirement accounts and retirement prosperity. We have not heard a word from anyone from AARP other than their lawyers. We're waiting.

Hmmmm... ball is in the AARP's court it seems. Such an open debate demonstrates the ARP is not out to trick anyone.

Evie Happy
- Collapse -
Re:Kemp, a co-founder of the 'sleazy operation' speaks out
Mar 24, 2004 9:08AM PST

Yes, they're offering to debate and demostrate the difference.

But let's be realistic. There are plenty of older people that have become convinced the AARP is serving their best interest, whether or not they really undersand all it's positions.

They have come to trust the AARP, and choosing a name that is easily confused or misread is unfair.

Any of us quickly reading an article or disturbed by something being discusses is liable to make the mistake of confusing AARP and ARP. Sorry, but I know I will, and while I'm no genius, I'm a bit above the incompetent level myself.

It's standard procedure for many groups, of all persuasions and agendas. But it's still dubious ethically.

RogerNC

click here to email semods4@yahoo.com

PS. I know this is late, but is one I had saved a shortcut to on my desktop and I'm cleaning up, either just deleting or replying and deleting shortcut.

rogernc

- Collapse -
Re:Kemp, a co-founder of the 'sleazy operation' speaks out
Mar 25, 2004 12:16PM PST

Hi, Evie.

Yeah, right. An advocacy group for the aged that chooses ARP for its name is just as innocent of trying to confuse as a hamburger joint that calls itself "MacDonald's." And when I'm calling the operation "sleazy," I'm referring to that fact alone -- its name (or more specifically, acronym) was clearly chosen to confuse and obfuscate. And no amount of saying "pure coincidence" will be convincing to anyone with close to an open mind or sense of fair play.

-- Dave K, Speakeasy Moderator
click here to email semods4@yahoo.com

The opinions expressed above are my own,
and do not necessarily reflect those of CNET!