Social Security

"President Bush isn't trying to reform Social Security. He isn't even trying to "partially privatize" it. His plan is, in essence, to dismantle the program, replacing it with a system that may be social but doesn't provide security. And the goal, as with his tax cuts, is to undermine the legacy of Franklin Roosevelt."
-- Paul Krugman, who as usual puts complex economic terms in easy to understand language in this piece, as well as a previous one on the failure of Britain's privitization back in the '80s.

Or for the even bigger picture of how this fits into the GOP's overall plan:

"...when it comes to the economy, it's survival-of-the-fittest Social Darwinism all the way. The corporate rich are the Elect of God. Any interference with their absolute power is a heathen affront. To aid those less fortunate is to prolong the existence of inferior beings who are predetermined for Divine rejection. That means dismantling all government programs that might help anyone other than the very rich. Or that stand in the way of destroying the natural environment to pave the way for the return of the Messiah."
-- Harvey Wasserman, from The Columbia Free Press

Looks to the Average Man like Bush is once again attempting to manufacture a "crisis" to further his own private goals. In this case, it's a longstanding Republican obsession with our government's most successful program, plus the millions in fees that would go to stockbrokers and the banking industry (any surprise that MBNA was Bush's single largest campaign contributor?)

What they don't seem to understand is that Social Security is not a retirement plan, it's an insurance plan. It ensures that if the Average Man has worked for a living, he won't wind up in poverty when he grows old or if he becomes disabled. If you want to invest for your retirement, ask your company if they offer 401K matching, or go to the bank and open an IRA. You don't need the government to do it for you.

Meanwhile, despite big budget cuts in essential services from education and environmental protection to health care to law enforcement, Bush has actually increased the size of government as well as run our country into ever-increasing debt. Fortunately, Republicans who remember what they stand for are not going along with his plans.

To send a message to congress rejecting Bush's budget, visit Campaign for America's Future (they also made a handy list of the 10 worst things about it), and/or sign the DNC's petition. Thanks to TrueMajority, you can see how our budget stacks up in Oreo cookies, and even send your congressperson a suggestion of how you think your tax dollars should be allocated!

Which reminds me, I'm hungry. Hope we've got some milk to wash down those Oreos.

Groundhog Day and the State of the Union Address

As Air America Radio pointed out, it is an ironic juxtaposition:

One involves a meaningless ritual in which we look to a creature of little intelligence for prognostication. The other involves a groundhog.