Last Friday [February 4, 2005] when promoting social security reform with "regular" citizens in Omaha, Nebraska, President Bush walked into an awkward unscripted moment in which he stated that carrying three jobs at a time is "uniquely American."
While talking with audience participants, the president met Mary Mornin, a woman in her late fifties who told the president she was a divorced mother of three, including a "mentally challenged" son.
The President comforted Mornin on the security of social security stating that "the promises made will be kept by the government."
But without prompting, Mornin began to elaborate on her life circumstances.
Begin transcript:
MS. MORNIN: That's good, because I work three jobs and I feel like I contribute.
THE PRESIDENT: You work three jobs?
MS. MORNIN: Three jobs, yes.
THE PRESIDENT: Uniquely American, isn't it? I mean, that is fantastic that you're doing that. (Applause.) Get any sleep? (Laughter.)
The report ends there, and I would love to see a video clip of the woman's expression when the president and her fellow citizens laughed about her having to work three jobs to make ends meet and not getting enough sleep!
It's nice of the president to feel so close to the taxpayers that making fun of them is acceptable. I guess the word is "endearing."
It's likely her own fault, anyhow! Why should the president concern himself with the quality of life of the citizenry when there are struggling corporations to prop-up?
If we prop-up failing corporations, they can provide jobs for people like Ms. Mornin.
Of course, they should not be required to pay a living wage or provide health insurance or retirement benefits; because those things cut into profits, and that's the point of government: to protect corporate interests.
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