http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7407269/

Extract

The poll, conducted by Hart/McInturff, shows that only 34 percent of
those polled believe that the country is headed in the right direction,
compared with 51 percent who say it’s headed in the wrong direction.
That’s a significant drop from the last survey in February, when 42
percent said the nation was on the right track.

In addition, approval of Bush’s handling of the economy has declined 5
points, from 46 percent in February to 41 percent in this survey — the
lowest point of his presidency. (Bush’s economic-handling approval also
reached 41 percent in the May 2004 NBC/Journal survey.)

The poll shows that a whopping 71 percent say that Congress should not
be active in cases of family illnesses and health such as Schiavo’s.
Moreover, 51 percent say the Schiavo case made them lose respect for the
media, while 50 percent lost respect for Congress, 46 lost respect for
the courts and 35 percent lost respect for Bush. McInturff says the
Schiavo matter had an “anti-Midas touch.” “Everyone who touched it,
people lost respect for,” he said.

On Social Security, the poll shows that support for the president’s plan
to partly privatize the government program has dropped, even though the
Bush administration has spent the last few months campaigning
aggressively for it. Fifty-five percent believe that it’s a bad idea to
allow workers to invest their Social Security contributions in the stock
market, while 35 percent think it’s a good idea. That’s a drop from the
February survey, which found that 51 percent opposed Bush’s plan versus
40 percent who supported it. “Opinions are hardening, and they are
hardening in a way that makes Bush’s job more difficult,” McInturff
said. “It reflects the caution that you’ve been hearing from members of
Congress.”

Fifty-five percent believe that it=92s a bad idea to
allow workers to invest their Social Security contributions in the
stock
market, while 35 percent think it=92s a good idea. That=92s a drop from the

February survey, which found that 51 percent opposed Bush=92s plan versus

40 percent who supported it. =93Opinions are hardening, and they are
hardening in a way that makes Bush=92s job more difficult,=94

*************

Dr. Mr Price, Mr. Waterhouse, Mr. Smith, Mr. Barney, et al

I regret to inform you that the campaign to divert
about 1/4 of Social Security collections and tens of millions of
unsophisticated investors to your firms seems to be running up against
a political wall. Naturally, this was not what we had in mind when you
all contributed so generously to my landslide victory over the
traitorous Socialist Kerry last November. However, unlike the previous
occupant of my office, I believe that what "is", is.

Please be assured that although you may not be acquiring tens of
millions of additional Ma & PA accounts to churn for commissions, your
contributions are highly appreciated and will not be forgotten.

Good news for you all: You make money whether the economy is improving
or declining as people rush into, or out of securities. We have reason
to believe that the economy will change drastically as the
welfare-level interest rates return to normal and Americans become
accustomed to the appropriate price to pay for a bbl of Texas crude
oil. It is certain that the spiralling deficit will accelerate the
impending chaos. While I may not have been able to deliver the SS money
to your brokerage firms as promised, please be assured that I am doing
everything I can on your behalf.

All my best,

George