I seriously wanted to give politics a rest for a while--at least until after New Year's day. But here I am, forced to raise my voice by the ridiculous news media who keeps repeating the Big Lie that Social Security is in a crisis.

You see, the experts say, and the media ignores the fact, that Social Security is healthy. And it also happens to be one of the most successful programs in the history of our country. I think the current drive to "fix it" is either a simple ideological move (they think the government should get out of all social programs) or a greedy capitalistic move (Bush's rich friends at the investment companies can be making huge commissions on this stuff!). Either way, the media seems to be buying it hook, line, and sinker.

Let's just get something straight here: Social Security is healthy, and it's going to be solvent for decades to come. If they would just increase the cap on income that pays into it (so that rich people would pay their fair share for once) and make a few other small adjustments (I'll work till 70, okay?), then it will continue to be the positive force it so many American lives. Just think about all those civilian soldiers we've got in Iraq--the ones from the National Guard who hold civilian jobs and pay into Social Security. If they're killed, their widows and kids have Social Security to help them.

I guess what I'm saying is, don't believe the media when they talk about Social Security being an "investment." It's not. It's an INSURANCE program--you pay in now and reap benefits if you can no long work (through injury, old age, or death). Just like you buy into health insurance, this is economic insurance. There is no inherent risk. But now they want to change it from insurance into a high-risk investment--and if the stock market crashes? Well, at least the big investment firms got their big commissions before losing all your money for you.

Mom, you're a new recipient of Social Security. What's your take?

PS. Take a look at Paul Krugman's thoughts about this.