Joe Klein: Wanker-in-Chief

The Time columnist writes a piece on how Bush sorta kinda maybe blew it a little by making killing Social Security as we know it the centerpiece of his second term agenda, when he could have achieved real success by focusing on a plan for energy independence. Okay, I'm with you there Joe. That's something, he notes, that Bush probably could have found support -- or, at least a willingness to negotiate -- among Democrats while also giving "national security conservatives" and even social conservatives like little Gary Bauer something to get behind.

But, in classic Joe Klein fashion, he has to throw out this bizarre non-sequitor:

Several days after traveling the uneven path, the President began his prime-time press conference with a few words about high gasoline prices--the same old words: No easy solution, drill more, expand the use of coal and nuclear and figure out ways to conserve. This perfunctory recitation was quickly forgotten as Bush turned to Social Security and proceeded to make some news. He proposed that the system be made solvent by reducing benefits on a sliding scale, according to income. This utterly responsible and progressive proposition was greeted by phony bleats of outrage from leading Democrats, who proved once again that they are more interested in the demagogic exploitation of the issue than they are in the impact of baby boom retirement on their grandchildren. It also brought to the surface a question that has been bubbling in Washington for the past few weeks: Has Bush chosen the wrong issue to burnish his legacy? What if he had reversed these two priorities, gone bold on energy independence--an issue on which compromise with Democrats is possible--instead of Social Security? [yeah, yeah, my emphasis]

"Utterly responsible and progressive proposition," eh? To turn Social Security into the dole is something the Democrats shouldn't "bleat" over in "phony outrage." After all, we know how much George W. Bush's conservative base loves "progressive" taxation, why not "progressive" benefits as well? Particularly if middle class taxpayers are required to pay into a system for which they are promised to get...nothing. That's a program that's sure to garner long-term support from Congress and voters. And we've already seen what an expert on Social Security (that "Industrial Age" relic) Klein is.

Joe Klein is an ass. A tool. A wanker.