Years ago, when I became a member of the AARP, it was comforting to know that we had a voice speaking for the elderly in the country. That no longer exists, and I am sure that another organization will come along and try to help us.

I reference this past week when I received a notice from Social Security, that our premiums for Medicare were going up again this year, another $10 per month. While they were confusing everyone with their prescription drug plan, they snuck another increase into the medical plan.

Where was the AARP? They are still suffering from the sting of leaning liberal, when they decided to endorse Sen. John Kerry last year, and now I am sure that they feel like a loser. Also, AARP should realize that once you have dug yourselves into a hole, stop digging.

On an unrelated subject, I would like to commend Rex Rhoades on his touching article about his beloved Labrador that appeared in the Dec. 11 newspaper. We have a lab, and she is 12 years old and slowing down. We went through this 13 years ago, with still another dog. My wife and I cried for three days.

Our sympathies to Rex and his family. Only someone who owned a dog like that would know how you felt.

Ron Bonenfant, Lewiston