When I'm 64

Let me start by saying that I did not watch the State of the Union speech last night. I specifically ignored it and though I perused the stories about it in the Washington Post this morning, I did not read the text of the speech and nor do I intend to. Maybe this isn't the best way to deal with the fact that we have to live through another 4 years of total disaster with W as our president, but it is MY way. I have listened to W at times. I have tried to make an effort to understand what half of America sees in him. But I just can't see it and so I didn't want to listen to it.

That being said I know that the bulk of what was talked about was Social Security and its (supposed) imminent crisis. As a younger American let me just say that I totally don't expect that I will one day be able to collect Social Security as long as things are kept the way they are. And I have no idea whether it will take small tweaks or a major overhaul to change this. But I have serious problems with W's push to deal with this now. First, IRAQ. I should be able to stop there with no further explanation but I will explain anyway. We are spending tremendous amounts of money in Irag. Our troops are spread thin and despite everyone's rosy look at the election I don't think that the problems there are suddenly going to disappear. Why are we trying to overhaul a major staple of our government when we need to be spending time and energy dealing with an actual crisis? Maybe because we are trying to make people forget about Iraq? Maybe because major campaign backers will benefit from these changes? Maybe because killing social security will take away a major Democratic issue and weaken the Democrats even further? Nothing in this is actually about saving social security at all. Hey W, you want a real crisis? How about HEALTH CARE!!!!!!

I know I sound cynical. I had hope before this past election. Now I have only doubt and suspicions. But if W is allowed to get away with once again shifting the debate, lying to everyone, and overpowering any and all dissent, more than social security will be in crisis.