Interestingly, the Journal/NBC poll shows that Social Security is getting too little emphasis in Washington. But pollster Scott Rasmussen points out a real land mine for the Bush reform proposals of Social Security IRAs and the progressive indexing of benefits. Retirees have always opposed reform, and younger people seem to favor it. But it's the age group of 50 to 64 years that is completely opposed to what they're hearing. To them, Washington is planning a higher wage cap for Social Security taxes, lower benefits and no new IRAs. This group is the most likely segment of the voting population for the midterm elections -- not a good sign for GOP strategists.
Meanwhile, a lackluster stock market, which has not nearly recovered from the plunge of 2000-2002, appears to have driven the investor/owner class into real estate. Prices in that sector are hot, and tax benefits are enormous. One wonders if support for Social Security reform would rise astronomically if the president made home purchases part of an individual lock-box strategy.
Which leads us to a difficult question: Are the White House and its congressional allies selling policy reforms that voters simply are not buying? The seemingly more popular issue of tax reform is not even on the table. But will tax-reform commissioners Connie Mack and John Breaux ever get their proposals to see the light of day in the current obstructionist congressional climate?
Speaking of obstructionism, the Democrats should take no comfort in the Journal/NBC poll. Even with the poor political weighting of the sample, by 38 to 30 percent the public opposes Democratic efforts to prevent the president's judicial nominations from coming up for a vote.
All senators have dirt on their hands these days. The Senate, if you can believe it, just delivered a budget-busting, pork-laden $295 billion highway bill, featuring several thousand special-interest earmarks and a phony tax-transfer from general revenues to the trust fund. Where was the allegedly conservative Republican-controlled Senate? This bill was voted through 89 to 11 , opening the door for President Bush's very first veto.
Oh, and let's not forget a potential trade and currency war with China and perhaps Europe as well. But at least this is backed by a bipartisan coalition anchored by Sen. Smoot Schumer and Sen. Hawley Graham.
There's plenty of work to be done in Washington, but it's not getting done. Meanwhile, the capital city seems to be disconnecting from the country. Cynics say gridlock means less government -- a healthy omen for the economy. Would that were true. This is surely the dreariest political spring I can remember.