1 post tagged “better world auto club”

It was a hard thing to do, and I still feel a little weird about it, but today, I dumped the American Automobile Association.

As far back as I can remember, everyone in my family has been a member of "The Three A's" as my grandfather calls it. I think I enrolled when I graduated from college. Free maps, travelers' cheques, discounts on hotels, lock-out assistance, towing, and jumpstarts, and less clean air.

Yup, apparently, AAA lobbys. It lobbies on behalf of motorists, and I think it believes I am a member of their organization because I am a motorist, when really, all I do is drive a car sometimes, I like free maps, and I often leave my lights on.

It lobbied against the Clean Air Act in 1990. It lobbied against stronger air quality standards, vapor traps, stronger tailpipe emission standards, and airbags. If it were lobbying against gasbags, then perhaps I would understand, but lobbying against things I am for? Yeah, no thanks. I just needed a tow because I am a dumbass, I don't need less safety features. It was great to know that an organization to which I have paid over a thousand dollars over the years has used that money to work against things I am for, and for things I am against.

That does not make sense in my consumer ethic. I don't buy Burt's Bees anymore because I don't buy bleach, and Clorox owns Burt's Bees, so why would I pay lobbyists for wider roads that encourage more driving, when I actually favor less?

No more.

I enrolled in the Better World Auto Club. It cost a few dollars less than AAA, and we'll see how it goes. It feels strange, like I am betraying an old friend, and I admit to being skeptical. Old habits die hard. But I don't think the Three A's will miss me much.