[Eric in the Ozarks]

I remember a couple of legislators back in Iowa, commenting on the Farm Bureau, its membership and "clout". "They're just another insurance company", was how they put it. "Nothing more".
AARP is becoming a bit long in the tooth, ranking just above ACORN in many statehouses. They don't represent the people they claim to and the last election was proof.

[Bernard Marx]

I don't know how effective AARP's lobbying has been over the years (I have the impression they've been very much so), but the dollors spent are impressive. Here's a recent quote from Senior Journal:

"June 1, 2004 - One billion dollars was spent by organizations lobbying the federal government in the last half of 2003 and the AARP led the way in setting this new record, according to records released today by PoliticalMoneyLine.com.

"The biggest jump was caused by AARP that reported spending $16.38 million, up from $4.5 million spent in the first half of 2003. AARP was lobbying heavily on the prescription drug plan. The Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp (Freddie MAC) reported spending $9.96 million, up from $5.92 million spent in the first half of 2003. Freddie Mac was lobbying on further regulation and structure of itself and its industry."