The Daily Oklahoman Attacks AARP

A shameless editorial today (February 22, 2005) in The Daily Oklahoman attacks the American Association of Retired People for its logical opposition to George Bush’s plan to destroy the country’s Social Security system.

In one of those weird twists of logic unique to the newspaper’s editorialists, the editorial calls the AARP “hypocritical” because it offers deals on mutual funds for its members. Titled, “Hypocrisy? AARP straddles Social Security furor,” the editorial cites a right-wing columnist, James K. Glassman, who hands the immoral newspaper its GOP talking points for the day.

The editorial cites the columnist’s argument that “ . . . AARP is talking out of both sides of its mouth, because while the organization is busy trashing Bush's private accounts plan, it offers its members investment opportunities in 38 mutual funds from which it receives a financial cut from each sale.”

There is simply no logical disconnection between AARP trying to protect the country’s main retirement system and also encouraging a plurality of investments for its members. The AARP is not taking an anti-investment or anti-business position in the debate. It is not taking an anti-Bush stance. The organization simply wants to ensure the solvency of Social Security.

In addition, the person writing the editorial had to be aware of these two facts: (1) Glassman is connected to the conservative think tank, The American Enterprise Institute, and (2) a group connected to the mudslinging Swift Boat liars are planning a coordinated and highly funded campaign to attack the AARP. (Here's a recent ad that was pulled suddenly and picked up by a fellow blogger.) Undoubtedly, the editorial writer deliberately chose to omit these two crucial details because The Oklahoman will not argue its positions truthfully.

The editorial is part of an coordinated GOP attack on the AARP, but do not hold your breath waiting for The Oklahoman to acknowledge its rhetorical deceit and immoral position as it participates in the coming onslaught against the organization. There is no debate on the The Oklahoman’s editorial page, only a consistent cacophony of distortions, attacks, and right-wing propaganda that serve the money interests of the filthy rich Gaylord family and nothing more.

Oklahoma’s elderly need to be warned not to take their cue on the Social Security debate from the coming immoral hectoring on the pages of The Oklahoman, once dubbed “The Worst Newspaper in America.” Watch for local articles disguised as “objective journalism” that attack the AARP and more editorials that omit and distort information about the Social Security issue.

Please help me warn Oklahoma’s elderly about The Oklahoman’s insidious campaign to help George Bush destroy Social Security, which does not face an immediate funding crisis.