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What the heck does GW have to do with "Stox Woes"?

Two things. If one listens to another, then that person in turn is more likely to listen back. By extension, if a person sees one listening to people like him, then that person is more likely to listen to the person who listened to his peers.

And since Bush's social security privitization plan is dependent upon the public having confidence enough in the markets to give him public backing on the issue, Bush has to do what he can to establish trust with the public on the issue of the stock markets.

Not to mention that the framers of the Constitution make the position of President a political position, and as such it is not surprising or out of design that the man holding the office would play politics at times.

make = made. Sorry for the typo.

Bush has to do what he can to establish trust with the public on the issue of the stock markets

Let me be blunt. This is a stupid and losing strategy of the Bushies.

(1) They didn't create the problem.

(2) By failing to correctly identify who _did_ create the problem they are undermining their own credibility.

(3) Beating up on the rich is a Democratic strategy. The Democrats are better at it. Rather than luring the soccer moms such a strategy legitimizes class warfare and the Democrat's platform. The voters will remember who to call when they want their big government "fix".

(4) If the market continues to tank (and I believe it will) the administration will look foolish no matter what they say or do. I have already had a variety of people refer to George Herbert Hoover Bush. Hoover (lest we all forget) was a Republican "centrist" who through a variety of stupid government interventions dug a deep hole for the country. FDR then continued similar policies and turned the deep hole into a trench.

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So what should the administration do?

(1) Lower taxes--income taxes, capital gains taxes, etc.

(2) Use existing laws to indict and convict criminal activities.

(3) On the political front, educate the public on the horrible laws passed by Congress in the 90s, naming names (Republicans and Democrats).

(4) Tell the truth about the stock market. It is risky and people near retirement should not be taking such risks.

(5) Slam the Democratic demagogues. Pound them every day. Embarass them. Show their hypocrisy. Take off the gloves and fight like your re-election and the party's fate in November depends on it. Because--it does.

Thanks. Sincerely. I really hadn't thought through the Social Security privatization issue. My beady, cynical, old fart brain was simply tied to the political gamesmanship. It seems as if 8 years of Clinton has really taken its toll on my ability to reasonably look at any politician.