June 23, 2005

WARNING: this is the longest blog entry EVER! Read at your own risk. If your eyes become tired please take a break. Thank you.

Well, I just saw the President, and some of you are going to be infuriated or dissapointed, or perhaps happy and overjoyed, but I felt he did an amazing job. He spoke eloquently and clearly, and came across as very intelligent. Additionally, he was extremely funny. He had the audiance laughing out loud ("LOL"ing for those in know) several times. Its quite a different thing to see the man in person as opposed to the media created version.

I'll tell you exactly how the morning went. I woke up at about 6:15, looked at the clock and went back to sleep. Then I woke up at 6:30. I got dressed and all. I figured dressing with a nice shirt and slacks would be more than adequate. I was wrong, everyone in the place was wearing a suit except for me and like 3 other people. So, I drove down there with plenty of time to spare, or so I thought. It took me a good 25 minutes to get from baltimore to the DC beltway. Then, to get from 95 to university blvd on the beltway (a total of 2 exits and maybe 3 miles) took a whopping half-hour. I hate the beltway. So I pull into the parking lot and a guy in a suit with a thing that said RNC around his neck and a guy that definately looked like a secret service agent told me I couldnt park there, and they directed me to park at some school that was far away, and then take a shuttle in. I thought to myself, "F-that." So I drove one street down and parked in a neighberhood and walked 5 minutes to the school. Then I was stopped by more secret service looking agents and I told them I had a ticket waiting for me. They looked at me like I was lying, perhaps because I wasn't wearing a suit like every other person there. I was lucky cuz the people who were supposed to give me the ticket were standing right there, so I got it from them, and got by the first round of security. Then I came to some desk where I had to show them my ticket and they scrutinized my drivers liscence and then let me by. Security round two passed. Then I came to a metal detector. After emptying out my pockets of their metallic contents I went throught the metal detector. The security guards went as far as to open up my cell phone and the battery pack of my camera to check inside. They really are not messing around with security for the president. I guess it is understandable. That was security round 3. Next, as I walked through the school to the auditorium, I had not one, not two, but three more people ask to see my ticket. What, do I have a beard and a turban or something? finally I came to the auditorium, showed my ticket to one last person and found a seat.

I sat about 7 rows back. It was a pretty small auditorium, and sat maybe 150-200 people. There was also, not surprisingly, an extremely diverse collection of young people sitting on the stage behind where the president was going to be. In the back and the side of the auditorium was a collection of cameras, cameramen and other assorted press. So then, having found a good seat I waited.... and waited... and waited.... It was ok cuz I had my dental decks to study, and I could listen to people with their republican banter. It seemed like everyone there was a congressional intern or a hardcore college republican. I think this is the major flaw in Bush's speaking tour. He is preaching to the converted. Everyone there probably worships the ground he walks on, and if he told them that they were all getting shipped off to Iraq to polish soldiers shoes they would've cheered and shrieked with joy. Bush did an excellent job presenting his viewpoint, and if there were more democrats in the audience his time would have been much better spent.

So, after I waited a good 45 minutes the sound guy came out and checked the sound and then a bunch of secret service agents started going around the audience. A secret service agent came to a girl sitting behind me who had a pile of papers in her lap. He asked to see her papers. I believe there was some anti-bush things written on the papers and the agent very politely asked the girl if he could keep the papers until after the speech. She obliged. Note: he did not force her to hand over the papers, nor did he demand them. He was cordial and clearly stated he would give the papers back after the speech. I think it is understandable, because the agents do not want to deal with some sort of crazy scene.

After a few more minutes they announced Ben Stein, and he came onto the stage. Then they said "Please welcome the President of the United States" and President Bush walked in to a standing ovation and hearty applause. He sat down and told the audience to sit. He began his prepared speech. I'm sure he's given the speech many times, but this is where he started to impress me. He spoke eloquently, and had perfect tone and clarity in his voice. Throughout the whole morning he utilized self-depreciating humor in an extremely effective manner. He was, for lack of a better way of saying it, very very funny. After his prepared speech he began the dialogue with the other people on the stage with him. If you look in the pictures you may be able to tell that there are 4 other people on the stage with him. The panel members were Ben Stein, some chick from reisterstown who is a financial analyst, a 23 year old who just got his first job, and a 22 year old who started a college organization promoting change in social security. Bush spent a few minutes talking to each panel member. This is where Bush really shined. His responses to their statements, although clearly not rehearsed, hit all the points that I wanted him to focus on. Before the speech I was for changing social security, but now after hearing Bush, he convinced me not only do changes need to be made, but also his plan is the best plan for making these changes as far as people my age are concerned.

Some points Bush (or the other members of the panel) made that I felt were good:

• Over the last hundred years, if you take any continuous 20 year segment, and look at the percent interest gained on an investment in the S&P 500 over the 20 years, the LEAST percent of interest gained during ANY 20 year period is a whopping 8%. Compare this to the 1.2% interest gained in social security over the same period of time. That will add up to alot of money for ANYONE.
• The government will place some basic restrictions on what types of stocks and bonds you can purchase with your personal account. This will keep people from betting all their money on riskier options. Bush actually said "you can't take your money and bet it at the racetrack." Well, there goes my sports betting idea.
• Today's elderly people will be guarenteed that they will receive all of their social security money. Thus, they have no reason not to support personal accounts, unless of course they hate their grandkids.
• Under the current system, if your spouse dies before retirement age, when you reach retirement age you get to chose to either get your social security allowances OR your spouses, but not both. The other persons money that they worked hard for is poof... gone. Under Bush's plan your personal account can be inherited by a spouse.
• The main focus of the personal accounts is to help young people. Everyone agrees that the social security system will run out of money sooner or later. Assuming that social security no longer exists, or is greatly reduced by the time that I grow up, then these personal accounts will be my own private source of money the government cannot take away.

There were other points made, that I forget right now, but maybe I'll think of them later. Feel free to debate/attack/slander me about what I've said. I think a little debate is healthy and fun.

So, after Bush and panelists finished, Bush went around and started shaking people's hands. I tried to get up close to the stage, but there was a mad rush and I was about three thickensses of people back. I took a picture of Bush up close and personal, and then stuck my hand out to try and shake his. He shook some peoples' hands around me, but alas, my hand got skipped. Thats alright though, as it was pretty thrilling to be that close to the most important man in the world. So after he finished, I went to downtown silverspring (the new hoppin' place!) and hung out at borders and studied. And then I had chipotle with some friends. Mmmmm.... 'potle. And that was that.

To sum up my experience, Bush really impressed me with his Presidential attitude, his intelligence and his humor. I am convinced that his social security plan is the best one out there as of now. And before all you people start attacking me, this is one of few issues that I agree with Bush on. I don't think there is anything wrong with having some views of both parties. In this day in age am I allowed to be pro-choice but anti-affirmative action? Can I be anti-guns but pro-social security reform? Do I have to be 100% left or 100% right? If I had to rank myself right now, I'd say I was 65% left leaning. But who knows what'll happen in the future... the see-saw could tip either way depending on what happens in the world. There I made my political manifesto and if you are reading this then that means you read this entire blog entry. Mucho props to you! I really should stop writting and go study now though.