Theoretically, politicians are elected based upon the issues by which they stand, and these issues are either supported or undermined by the numerous interest groups that exist today. Interest groups target both major and minor issues, using all of their resources to advocate or defeat the groups' concern. Interest groups are composed of a limited cross-section of the electorate who have a great stake in the issues their group advocates. They make conspicuous the issues their group supports. Their resources are used in an attempt to make their issue public policy. Interest groups are consistent, they do not give in until they have succeeded. They lobby congress, litigate, and attempt to influence election results in order to benefit their cause. "The AARP monitors local and national legislation of interest to its members."1 The AARP, an example of a non-PAC interest group, focus their efforts to electioneering and media. They influence the elections through their voter guides, election forums and the large senior voting population. Through television, radio, and periodicals the AARP is able to achieve many of their goals to aid retired persons.

ercy Andrus, a retired educator, founded an organization dedicated to helping all persons over the age of 50.2 The organization, called the American Association for Retired Persons, or AARP, has grown over the years and reports to have 30 million and four thousand chapters nationwide.2 The AARP is unlike any other interest groups because it is a non-profit organization. Similarly to other interest groups, the AARP is a policy specialist that has a narrow view. Their three main policy goals are economic security for the elderly, affordable comprehensive health care for all, and improvements in the attitudes about the elderly in the workplace.4 Research on elderly needs and the economy, as well as a large volunteer network help the AARP influence thousands of potential members every year.5 The AARP is the oldest and largest interest group focused completely on senior citizens, using its numbers and resources to persuade policy makers for the benefit of the members of the organization.

The AARP has been successful in maintaining current programs for retired citizens, yet it has been unable to get new ideas passed that would drastically change the system. The AARP strongly advocates big government solutions that benefit seniors, however President Bill Clinton said in a state of the union address "The era of big government is over." While supporting the general consensus of the public, it opposes the ideals of the AARP. With republicans in control of congress, the AARP has come up against major resistance when attempting to pass legislation in their favor. Older citizens are no longer viewed as they were in the early half of the twentieth century, instead they are viewed as successful members of society that are no longer completely dependant on an outside organization for their welfare. Recently, the AARP has come under the scrutiny of the United States' senate, led by Senator Alan K. Simpson, a republican from Wyoming.22 The senator has done this by questioning their status as a non-profit organization benefited by a tax exemption and unlimited lobbying privileges.23 In addition, Senator Simpson questions the non-partisan nature of the group, saying that "the

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1473
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)