"A Revolution"

I was listening to a local newstalk station, 1200 WOAI, while making breakfast for myself this morning, as I customarily do. Pags* was talking to Jim Pinkerton of Newsday and Fox News Watch about President Bush's State of the Union address last night. I didn't pay close attention until Pinkerton mentioned the sight of Henry Paulson, the Treasury Secretary. I had a feeling when he mentioned his name, he might talk about social security, based on reports that Paulson is going about quietly the process of negotiating with members of Congress social security reform. Why quietly? Because reports have been floating around, pretty much since Paulson was confirmed last June, that W might be willing to allow taxes to go up as part of a compromise. And make no doubt about it, discriminately raising, if not all out eliminating the cap on earnings subject to the social security tax is just as much a tax increase as "rolling back" or "repealing" (as liberals like to say) Bush's tax cuts on the wealthiest American taxpayers. I used to wonder why there was such a cap. Then I figured out that people making that much per year, currently in the mid $90Ks, probably will not rely as much on social security when they retire (if they do, given that they are indeed the most productive members of society) as will those who make less. Then, it made perfect sense: welfare restrained. I like it!

Pinkerton finished by saying that if such a thing happens, there will be a "revolution" within the republican ranks. I hope, for the good of the economy, and society, that the cap is left alone (better yet to privatize it all together, but who am I kidding?). But, if it is lifted or eliminated, I welcome a "revolution". What's more, I look forward to seeing how current congressman (Ron Paul) and senators (McCain, Brownback) vote for it, and how that will effect the position on the issue staked out by those running for the nomination who will not have a vote, like Guiliani.

One of these days, someone running for public office will take seriously those who wish the government was at least half the size it is today.

And one other thing that has been on my mind for a while. Those for a vastly simpler tax code, such as myself, should have known better (and probably did) than to think Bush would be the one to deliver, given how he wants to address the health care issue.

*I give credit to Joe Pagliarulo. He started as the host of WOAI's morning program about a year or so ago. My first impression: 'Sheesh; what a radio voice!', which is another way of saying 'Ugh! What a fake!' He repeated himself, some of the things he said, so much from day to day, I started to wonder if it was a recording. But I must say, I have come to like him doing that job, and that's probably only partially because it seems he holds many of the same beliefs as me.