Pissing on the third rail
Tip O'Neill was right when he said, "Social Security is the third rail of American politics." Step on it and you'll get a big jolt. President Bush isn't just touching the third rail, he's pissing on it.
Bush's plan, to the extent that he has one, is not designed to fix any problems. The system isn't "bankrupt;" it's healthier than the rest of the federal government. Private accounts would have a terrible rate of return and seem designed to drive people out of the system. Bush's benefit cuts are huge — bigger than if we did nothing but wait passively for the crunch. The President doesn't want to save Social Security: his plan is unsocial and insecure. Republicans have always hated Social Security, and their plan seems designed to phase it out. Those College Republicans who chanted, "Hey hey, ho ho, Social Security has got to go!" were just saying the unofficial Republican party line. Bush isn't just touching the third rail, he's whizzing on it like a frat boy after a kegger.
Congressional Republicans know there's a problem. That's why they're looking frantically for an exit strategy. Holding Bush's hand is painful when there's 600 volts zapping through it.
The White House knows there's a problem, too. Bush's approval rating on Social Security is in free fall; it's down to just 26%. That's why they keep changing the name — first "privatization," then "private accounts," then "personal accounts" — I bet the next name is "freedom accounts." That's why Bush is now attempting to blame Democrats for his party's reluctance to act. He doesn't like the way the current is arcing, and he's trying to move the stream of urine away. If he can't break the connection, at least he can try to splash some onto the Democrats..
Democrats should stay up on the platform, away from the puddles. They can help the poor, crispy Republicans by tossing buckets of water on them (salt water is best). If the electricity doesn't put the GOP out of its misery, well ... the light at the end of the tunnel is a train.
(crossposted at Daily Kos.)
Bush's plan, to the extent that he has one, is not designed to fix any problems. The system isn't "bankrupt;" it's healthier than the rest of the federal government. Private accounts would have a terrible rate of return and seem designed to drive people out of the system. Bush's benefit cuts are huge — bigger than if we did nothing but wait passively for the crunch. The President doesn't want to save Social Security: his plan is unsocial and insecure. Republicans have always hated Social Security, and their plan seems designed to phase it out. Those College Republicans who chanted, "Hey hey, ho ho, Social Security has got to go!" were just saying the unofficial Republican party line. Bush isn't just touching the third rail, he's whizzing on it like a frat boy after a kegger.
Congressional Republicans know there's a problem. That's why they're looking frantically for an exit strategy. Holding Bush's hand is painful when there's 600 volts zapping through it.
The White House knows there's a problem, too. Bush's approval rating on Social Security is in free fall; it's down to just 26%. That's why they keep changing the name — first "privatization," then "private accounts," then "personal accounts" — I bet the next name is "freedom accounts." That's why Bush is now attempting to blame Democrats for his party's reluctance to act. He doesn't like the way the current is arcing, and he's trying to move the stream of urine away. If he can't break the connection, at least he can try to splash some onto the Democrats..
Democrats should stay up on the platform, away from the puddles. They can help the poor, crispy Republicans by tossing buckets of water on them (salt water is best). If the electricity doesn't put the GOP out of its misery, well ... the light at the end of the tunnel is a train.
(crossposted at Daily Kos.)
posted by scott at 3:02 AM
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