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A Green alternative to AAA

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AAA, who did well to focus on roadway safety reform through the 1940s, is isolating many consumers due to its stance on a more current safety issue: the environment. Most AAA members don't know that the organization "is a lobbyist for more roads, more pollution, and more gas guzzling. AAA is a member of the auto-industry backed American Highway Users Alliance, a group known for its love of laying new pavement. AAA's work with the AHUA isn't something it advertises with its members. Nor was the fact that AAA came out against the Clean Air Act back in 1990.
In fact most members don't know that AAA is involved in lobbying at all; but the group has a history of siding against everything from open-space measures, to public transportation funding, to the regulation of auto emissions.
In 2006 AAA's largest club, the Automobile Club of Southern California, worked against Prop. 87. The proposition would have established a "$4 billion program to reduce petroleum consumption (in California) by 25 percent, with research and production incentives for alternative energy, alternative energy vehicles, energy efficient technologies, and for education and training." The funding for the program would have been a gas tax, not on consumers at the pump, but on the "producers of oil extracted in California." Prop. 87 went on to specifically say that any additional costs would "not be passed on to consumers through higher prices for oil, gasoline or diesel fuel."

Better World Club may be an alternative for you even if you don't own a car but get around by bike!
twodee

9 responses // A Green alternative to AAA

  • I never knew this about AAA.

    I am a member for roadside service, but this is more than I thought I was paying for.

    Must take time to rethink this.
    jubal
  • I will have to re-think my membership too. It is hard to believe though it makes sense.
    WhiteCrow22
  • We will likely be switching over as well.
    twodee
  • I feel good for not having car issues in the last 10 years or so. Odd, though. Thought AAA was pretty good, but I guess you just have to dig in deeper for any company nowadays.
    -
    I guess my premium insurace is a helmet, some espresso and good air pressure in those skinny tires.
    meligrosa
  • Until recently I was a long time user of AAA. I gave up a car last month for multiple reasons. I had heard about AAAs hidden agenda and thought nothing of letting that renewal notice go into the recycling bin. This coming from a former big advocate. They saved my ass several times over the years. One instance 100 miles outside of Chicago where the nearest exit was 25 miles. Walked through the woods until I came upon a house you only see in horror movies. Thankfully someone was home and allowed me to use their rotary dial phone. AAA saved me that day from a long walk in 90+ degree heat. That aside, they can go to hell in a hand basket for all I care. There are other choices out there, seek them out.

    Lobbying not only gives unseen power to the powerful, but allows others with a good cause to go unheard!
    macdontcare
  • Sad to see an american icon like AAA is not keeping up with the times. In the past, oil use and highways really HAVE been more good than bad, at least as far as our economy goes.

    It took the american public (you and me) many years to shift perspective, and some of us have not made that paradigm shift yet.

    AAA will shift too, but only when their lack of membership hits their bottom line. It's the same with any corporation. We vote with our dollars. Spread the word, Vote smart.
    jahbini
  • You bring up an interesting point about American Icon. The car itself is an American Icon but is one of the worst designed machines when it come to efficiency. Much of the Industrial revolution IS an American Icon but the shortsightedness of powering any economy with fossil fuel has been one of mankind's biggest blunders. We have always had sustainable energy within reach yet never trusted that a booming economy could do as well if not better with it. We should have stopped our journey down the yellow brick road and clicked our ruby slippers long ago. there is no place like home. Our planet.
    twodee
  • I had no idea! I used to have a AAA card, but since my local car insurance plan offers the same benefits w/ towing and roadside repair, and my credit card has the same discounts on rentals, there was really no need. Now i really won't go back for sure.
    Elligirl
  • Me too. I just automatically renewed AAA, like I do every year for a 10+ year old car, even though my Ins Co & C/Cs probably cover the same thing. I doubt I'll be renewing in the future & seek a greener & cleaner alternative. Current & its contributors sure have a nice way of peeling back layers of assumptions to find the real truth & agendas in our overwhelming Corporate Age-Thanks!
    darkhorsejim

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