I'm not sure what stuns me more.
THE PRESIDENT: Good. Okay, Mary, tell us about yourself.
MS. MORNIN: Okay, I'm a divorced, single mother with three grown, adult
children. I have one child, Robbie, who is mentally challenged, and I have two
daughters.
THE PRESIDENT: Fantastic. First of all, you've got the hardest job in
America, being a single mom.
MS. MORNIN: Thank you. (Applause.)
THE PRESIDENT: You and I are baby boomers.
MS. MORNIN: Yes, and I am concerned about -- that the system stays the
same for me.
THE PRESIDENT: Right.
MS. MORNIN: But I do want to see change and reform for my children because
I realize that we will be in trouble down the road.
THE PRESIDENT: It's an interesting point, and I hear this a lot -- will
the system be the same for me? And the answer is, absolutely. One of the
things we have to continue to clarify to people who have retired or near
retirement -- you fall in the near retirement.
MS. MORNIN: Yes, unfortunately, yes. (Laughter.)
THE PRESIDENT: Well, I don't know. I'm not going to tell your age, but
you're one year younger than me, and I'm just getting started. (Laughter.)
MS. MORNIN: Okay, okay.
THE PRESIDENT: I feel great, don't you?
MS. MORNIN: Yes, I do.
THE PRESIDENT: I remember when I turned 50, I used to think 50 was really
old. Now I think it's young, and getting ready to turn 60 here in a couple of
years, and I still feel young. I mean, we are living longer, and people are
working longer, and the truth of the matter is, elderly baby boomers have got
a lot to offer to our society, and we shouldn't think about giving up our
responsibilities in society. (Applause.) Isn't that right?
MS. MORNIN: That's right.
THE PRESIDENT: Yes, but nevertheless, there's a certain comfort to know
that the promises made will be kept by the government.
MS. MORNIN: Yes.
THE PRESIDENT: And so thank you for asking that. You don't have to worry.
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.)
MS. MORNIN: Not much. Not much.
THE PRESIDENT: Well, hopefully, this will help you get you sleep to know
that when we talk about Social Security, nothing changes.
You can get the whole exchange at PR Newswire.
Should I be outraged that the President is able to laugh at a woman who is working two jobs, or should I be saddened by the woman herself, who meekly thanks him after she has been mocked?
And WHAT THE FUCK is so "uniquely American" about holding down three jobs to keep a roof over one's head?
Only in a Bush economy could he be proud of folks working two and three jobs.
