Molly Ivins - Good at Math!

Or at least in her latest article, which is yet another good rundown of last weeks Social Security press conference.

In another interesting development from President Bush's news conference, if you make more than $20,000 a year, you are wealthy. That's what the president said -- "wealthy."

Well, then again, maybe President Bush has been studying at Springfield Elementary.

Nelson: Hey, look how much money Skinner makes. $25,000 a year!
[the students say, "wow"]
Bart:[putting the numbers in a calculator] Let's see, he's 40 years old times 25 grand -- whoa, he's a millionaire.
[the students sound impressed]
Skinner: I wasn't a principal when I was 1!
Nelson: Plus, in the summer, he paints houses.
Milhouse: He's a billionaire!
[the students say "wow" again]
Skinner:If I were a billionaire, why would I be living with my mother?

Yeah, that might explain President Bush's confusion on relative wealth. But let's see how he does on consistency.

Bush said, "I know some Americans have reservations about investing in the stock market, so I propose that one investment option will consist entirely of treasury bonds, which are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States government." These are exactly the same treasury bonds that currently guarantee Social Security and have been described by Bush, including in the very same press conference, as a cabinet full of "worthless IOUs."

Hmmmmmm. That just doesn't seem very consistent.

So go check out Molly Ivins. Good at math and fun to read too.