Just rejoined the NRA

U

USP45usp

Moderator
I have a talk show host here in Oregon by the name of Lars Larson. Dude does a great job of looking after Oregon and Washington and what our pols are doing and keeps an eye out for the nation since he's now got a national show.

He had on the Nuge today. Man is that guy fired up and feels the same way as I do.

I also found out that Lars is lifetime NRA also. So I decided to reinstate my NRA membership to get on the board and to vote. If we can get more folks like Ted on the board, Lars Larson being one like him, I think that we could turn this around and be more on the offensive than the defensive.

No matter how we feel about what the NRA is now, we need to look at what the NRA could be. Instead of ditching the organization, we should become lifetime members and start the change. We need to remove the weenies and put folks like Ted up on the forefront.

I know that some will think that's a bad idea, with Ted being as outspoken as he is, but dammit, those are the people that we need!

And also, don't forget about your states grass roots either, they are just as important.

Wayne
 
I thought that only Life members get to vote?


If you've only reinstituted an annual membership, might I recommend the Easy-Pay Life membership? You pay $25 per quarter, until the $750 Life Membership is paid off.

I started mine a few years ago, and then they sent mailers requesting that if I could, would I pay off the $400 balance because of the election nearing. They promised a little wooden desk clock, so how could I refuse? :p

I now sport a nifty gold-foil "NRA Life Member" sticker on the back of my little Subaru. I love it! Right next to AOPA and USPA!

-blackmind
 
Bad punctuation; worse information

"I thought that only Life members get to vote?"

I thought question marks were for - surprise! - questions; not declarative sentences..... :rolleyes:

Anyhow, you are misinformed. Any annual member with 5 consecutive years in gets a ballot. Note that if you miss a year, or even rewew LATE, you start all over again. I think it is an extremely poor policy, but there it is.

Of course, if you are a Life member, that isn't a problem. And the leather jacket is REALLY nice! :cool:
 
Blackmind,

You are right, I should have clarified, I reinstated my life time membership payoff so that I could vote and be on the board maybe later in life.

Thanks for allowing me to clarify :).

Wayne
 
For those who think that just signing up for the Life Membership will save them money in the long run, they are only fooling themselves. I get so many requests for money from the NRA even though I have a 5 year membership that isn't due for another 3 years. They keep coming up with these goofy promotions to get members to keep sending more money. I would love to see how much of my money is going to fighting for our gun rights versus money spent asking me for more money. I guess it's tough though. Most people don't like to part with their money.
 
I would love to see how much of my money is going to fighting for our gun rights versus money spent asking me for more money. I guess it's tough though. Most people don't like to part with their money.
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stephen426,

Appartently, you didn't read my post. I said that I reinstated my membership because now, I have a goal, get rid of the wussies and get people like Ted and Lars into the presidents seat.

As for the money, the NRA membership is to the NRA. The extra money that you may, or may not give, is requested for the NRAILA. They are two different organizations, one being tax free (the one able to fight) and the other being the NRA main.

Yes, for $25 dollars a year you get a free magazine (how many mags do you get at $25 per year... even at $19.95 per year, you think that the extra money is enough to do what they do?).

Then you pay the life time fee (and I really doubt that I will get a jacket, they seem to have stopped that). $350 or $750 (I am a disabled veteran so I get the cheaper price... you're disabled vet, then go for it :) ). Do you actually think that your measly $350 or $750 paid in payments pays for some of the things that they do? No, that is why they send out the mailers.

You've got to know where the money is going. And because the NRAILA is a different organization then the NRA.ORG, they much get there (damn, did I destroy English here or what?) They get much of their money from other sources.

I really wished that the NRA would make this more clear. You can get to all the sites from the NRA but you have to know that you are going from an profit organization to a non-profit organization.

Wayne
 
Wayne,

I did read your post. I know there are plenty of anti-gun people willing to part with their money. That is why I do support the NRA. The problem is that I get requests for money so often it is getting old. I'd feel better about my contributions if I know how much was being put to use for lobbying and other beneficial programs versus all the donation solicitations that often end up in the trash unopened.
 
"I'd feel better about my contributions if I know how much was being put to use for lobbying and other beneficial programs versus all the donation solicitations that often end up in the trash unopened."

The bottom line, then, Stephen, is that you need to make sure that your donations go to NRA-ILA rather than NRA. The NRA-ILA is the political arm of the NRA and does the lobbying. The NRA proper cannot use donations for lobbying; its money must be used for training, education, sports, etc.

Tim
 
Stephen,
Can you blame the NRA for trying to get more money? They fight a daily battle keeping up with the efforts of Ted Kennedy, Chuck Schumer, Dianne Feinstein, ad nauseum, to take away your rights. Those people get to make their attempts with government money! (OUR money!)

Fighting them tooth-and-nail for the retention of our rights and our Constitution is an expensive proposition.

I give when I can. I don't when I can't. Same with you.
But I doubt that the NRA would be continuing to send the solicitations if it were experiencing a net loss of funds.

-blackmind
 
That's a legitimate question that any organization should be up front about answering. What % of donations/dues goes to what category.

Has anyone asked the NRA that question? It is certainly a question I want an answer to from any charity before I give.
 
So have you asked them?

The basic answer was posted above - By law, dues can only be used for limited purposes. The NRA-ILA is a separate legal entity and it's mass mailings are self supporting and turning a profit. They do the Legislative heavy lifting - that's the L in ILA.

I've stayed in about every cheap motel the commonwealth could book at a discount and I wouldn't wish it on my enemies. Aren't you the same guys who criticize the government for buying weapons and equipment on low-bid?


Pulled from the NRA site FAQ:

Q: How can I reduce the amount of mail I receive from the NRA?
A: Simply email us at membership@nrahq.org or dial 800-NRA-3888 and request to be placed on the "Do Not Promote" list. This will significantly reduce the amount of mail you receive without affecting important mailings, magazine service, or your membership renewal.

Let's see, what else. You only get the leather jacket when you pay one lump sum for Life Member - the easy pay plan doesn't qualify. I haven't worn mine yet and probably won't because I like my Coronado jacket more.

And yes, they're relentless. They've just sent me a real steal of a deal on upgrading my Life membership to Endowment - only $175 instead of $750. I'm doing it today and I'll get a snazzy NRA pocket knife by CRKT or something like that. I doubt that I'll stop using my Sebenzas though.

There is a Presidential election coming up you know.

John
Member www.vcdl.org
 
Froman and LaPierre aint staying at the motel 6.
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What did I post, about the wussies.

That is why I've decided to get into the organization and change it (I can't do it on my own, help is needed), so that motel 6's are what the money goes for when they lobby out of town, the instead of steak and lobster, they have to deal with hamburgers and hotdogs (well, lesser priced meals anyway, I like hamburgers by the way so I would eat cheaper :D ).

I read on RKBA and on other places that bitch about the NRA but won't become life members to change it. They should be working to put themselves out of a job, not working to keep a job. I think that there are some on the board that believe the same, Ron Paul, Lars Larson, Ted Nugent just to name a few. Well, why don't we pay in to be life members and then push to get on the board? Then, when we get on the board, go for president or vice?

People, what I'm getting at is that maybe we should not only get involved but get in. Maybe (probably) I won't be able to do so, but others here, and elsewhere, can. Same with politics, instead of bitching, why don't we spend some money if able, get out in the streets, and maybe, just maybe, run for the office.

I think that the days of going to your computer with your favorite adult beverage and bitching is long gone. The day of getting off our asses and doing something is now, and that those that want to live in the old days, well, please don't be offended when I say, those days are long gone.

Sorry for the rant, but dammit folks, the same as I yell at you for believing whatever sound bites are given you without during research for yourself, I feel that I'm justified at yelling at you for not doing something and just sitting behind a computer keyboard and bitching all the time.

Okay, end of rant :).

Wayne
 
That is why I've decided to get into the organization and change it (I can't do it on my own, help is needed), so that motel 6's are what the money goes for when they lobby out of town, the instead of steak and lobster, they have to deal with hamburgers and hotdogs (well, lesser priced meals anyway, I like hamburgers by the way so I would eat cheaper ).
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Wow, that's quite an indictment of these people who live and breathe the fight to defend your rights. Is there any proof or evidence that they're constantly dining on steak and lobster? You should have some, before you go making the allegation. You act as though it's just "common knowledge" or "conventional wisdom" that they're frittering away the millions of dollars they take in from gun owners like us.

How did the AWB renewal get defeated? How did cops get 50-state carry reciprocity? How have we made headway in predatory lawsuit protection which may well become law soon?

I say, they're entitled to a few crustaceans and slabs of prime beef. They're carrying the water. As long as it's not corruption and embezzlement, who is to say when they're living too well, anyway? When I went on an expenses-paid trip to Utah for work training with 8 others from my office, we sure as hell did not skimp on the accommodations, the vehicle rentals, the food...

-blackmind
 
So have you asked them?
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Nope. Just started thinking about rejoining them after that NPR show Saturday. Waiting to see if that "joining fever" goes away or if it really is a good idea. Some of these ideas of mine need to mature before I follow up on them. There's a good lesson from an old man for you younguns out there.... :D
 
"Waiting to see if that "joining fever" goes away or if it really is a good idea. Some of these ideas of mine need to mature before I follow up on them."

Huh? Of *course* it's a good idea! The NRA is the most effective pro-gun organization on Earth (not just the US). Even if you think they're too wimpy or too gung-ho, you can't go wrong by joining. Your membership counts when NRA lobbyists meet with politicians. In addition to political activism, the NRA sponsors and promotes shooting education and sports.

An annual membership costs thirty-five bucks, and that includes a subscription to a first rate magazine. Please join the NRA.

Tim
 
I have been a member, off and on, several times. I get disenchanted with them from time to time, seems like they spend a lot of money and spin their wheels a lot. Lately they have been doing some good work, and I am thinking about it again - or maybe I will just send them $35 anonymously each year - that way they won't be sending me those expensive flyers asking for more money about every two weeks.

Last time I got ticked off with them they had sent me this truly stupid "survey" with the most loaded questions I had ever seen. Worse than the one Hilary sent out recently. It was so mind bogglingly intelligence insulting that I just gave up on them, for about two years now.

I am a full time member of the Texas State Rifle Association - which is a smaller organization that does great work here at home.
 
They need MORE people on the road and all of them better be out every night buying steak and lobster dinners for the folks they're lobbying.

That's the way the game is played at that level. Of course, if the guest wants hot dogs for dinner that's fine too. :)

They should not be back in some room at Motel 6 watching tv all evening.

John
Member www.vcdl.org

OT / P.S. - A buddy's wife is a partner in a law firm. She recently spent 3 weeks flying all the way around the world gathering documents for a very large case. Okay, a gigantic case. She didn't stay at Motel 6 either. She has a LOT of frequent flyer miles because she puts the charges for the entire work group on one charge card. The group this time numbered 30. That's not a typo, that's just business.
 
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