Social Security: Message of the Day!!!

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I’ve received five six seven eight emails from the DNC and the Obama campaign since 11:00 pm last night about Social Security. Most of them attack John McCain.

“DNC Releases New Web Ad Highlighting the Threat John McCain Poses to Social Security.”

“MCCAIN WATCH: SAME-AS-BUSH PLAN TO PRIVATIZE SOCIAL SECURITY.”

And so on. McCain has suggested in the past that he supports private savings accounts, but he has always fudged on what they would look like and whether or not they would mirror exactly the ones in the controversial plan President Bush pushed several years back. Moreover, McCain has called the basic funding mechanism of Social Security a “disgrace,” meaning he doesn’t philosophically agree with the program or doesn’t understand how it works. The Democrats are right to hit him for all of that.

But there’s a distinctly lame feel to the Democrats excitement here — You’re not supposed to talk about Social Security in campaigns because it pisses people off! McCain is talking about it! Let’s nail him! You can’t claim the guy is a fake maverick and then attack him when he talks out of school.

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BEFORE YOU CLICK AWAY!

“Lying.” “Disgusting.” “Scum.” “Slime.” “Corrupt.” “Enemy of the people.” Donald Trump has always made clear what he thinks of journalists. And it’s plain now that his administration intends to do everything it can to stop journalists from reporting things they don’t like—which is most things that are true.

No one gets to tell Mother Jones what to publish or not publish, because no one owns our fiercely independent newsroom. But that also means we need to directly raise the resources it takes to keep our journalism alive. There’s only one way for that to happen, and it’s readers like you stepping up. Please help with a donation today if you can—even a few bucks will make a real difference. A monthly gift would be incredible.

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