USA Next is a United States lobbyist group whose slogan is "Building a Legacy of Freedom for America's Families". It presents itself as a conservative senior citizens' organization, although the number of members it has has been challenged. Opponents view it as an astroturf group funded by pharmaceutical companies. Lobbying is the practice of private advocacy with the goal of influencing a governing body, in order to ensure that an individuals or organizations point of view is represented in the government. ... Conservatism or political conservatism is any of several historically related political philosophies or political ideologies. ... Old age consists of ages nearing the average lifespan of human beings, and thus the end of the human life cycle. ... In American politics and advertising, the expression astroturfing is used pejoratively to describe formal public relations projects which deliberately seek to engineer the impression of spontaneous public reactions to a politician or political grouping, product, service, event, etc. ... A pharmaceutical company is a licensed drug company, licensed to discover, develop, markets and distribute drugs. ...

USA Next presents itself as an interest group for senior citizens as an alternative to the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP). The organization, however, has no age requirement for membership and no stated agenda other than the discrediting of AARP and the dismantling of the American Social Security entitlement program. A recent "Opinion Poll" on the USA Next web site asked the question, "Did you know that the AARP has taken over $1 billion in taxpayer money over the last 20 years?" Old age consists of ages nearing the average lifespan of human beings, and thus the end of the human life cycle. ... AARP is the name of the United States non-profit organization formerly known as the American Association of Retired Persons. ... For specific national programs, see Social Security (United States), National insurance (UK), Social Security (Sweden) Social security mainly refers to a field of social welfare concerned with social protection, or protection against socially recognized needs. ...

In February of 2005, USA Next hired the advertising agency behind the infamous Swift Boat Veterans for Truth campaign that attacked former presidential candidate John F. Kerry. The group gained instant notoriety late in that month when they placed an advertisement on several conservative web sites and blogs. This advertisement depicted a large red 'x' over a picture of a soldier and a large green check mark over a picture of a just-married homosexual couple. The AARP has no position on marriage rights for homosexuals, but (along with many established groups including the AFL-CIO) opposed an amendment to Ohio's state constitution intended to prohibit gay marriage, claiming it would deprive all unmarried cohabitating couples of rights they currently enjoyed. The amendment was passed in November 2004 by Ohio voters. Swift Vets and POWs for Truth, formerly known as the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth (SBVT), is an organization of American Swift boat veterans and former prisoners of war of the Vietnam War, formed during the 2004 presidential election campaign. ... John Forbes Kerry (born December 11, 1943) is the junior United States Senator from Massachusetts. ... Conservatism or political conservatism is any of several historically related political philosophies or political ideologies. ... This article is about a type of web application. ... Categories: Stub | AFL-CIO ... State nickname: The Buckeye State Other U.S. States Capital Columbus Largest city Columbus Governor Bob Taft Official languages None Area 116,096 km² (34th)  - Land 106,154 km²  - Water 10,044 km² (8. ...

In March, 2005, the couple pictured in the advertisement filed a US$25 million lawsuit against USA Next, alleging that group used the couple's image without their permission. A restraining order preventing USA Next from running the ad was granted.

USA Next is headed by Charlie Jarvis, a former deputy undersecretary of the Interior in the Reagan and George H.W. Bush administrations. It claims over 1.5 million members, although in 2003, the organization claimed that it received no income from membership dues. Order: 40th President Vice President: George H.W. Bush Term of office: January 20, 1981 – January 20, 1989 Preceded by: Jimmy Carter Succeeded by: George H.W. Bush Date of birth: February 6, 1911 Place of birth: Tampico, Illinois Date of death: June 5, 2004 Place of death: Los Angeles... Order: 41st President Vice President: Dan Quayle Term of office: January 20, 1989 – January 20, 1993 Preceded by: Ronald Reagan Succeeded by: Bill Clinton Date of birth: June 12, 1924 Place of birth: Milton, Massachusetts First Lady: Barbara Pierce Bush Political party: Republican George Herbert Walker Bush, KBE (born June... 2003 is a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar, and also: The International Year of Freshwater The European Disability Year Events January January 1 - Luíz Inácio Lula Da Silva becomes the 37th President of Brazil. ...

References

1. Bischoff, Laura A. (October 2, 2004). "Opposition grows to gay-wed ban; AARP, OSU League oppose amendment proposal." Dayton Daily News, pg. B1
2. Justice, Glen (February 20, 2005). "A new battle For advisers To Swift Vets." New York Times, pg. A1.
3. Justice, Glen and David D. Kirkpatrick (February 22, 2005). "Group makes pre-emptive strike against AARP on benefits plan." New York Times, pg. A16.
4. Sarasohn, David (March 13, 2005). "A wedding photo shot from the right." The Oregonian, pg. E04.

External Links

• USA Next (http://www.usanext.org/)
• USA Next profile (http://rightweb.irc-online.org/org/usanext.php)