What's the Deal with Cindy McCain?

A friend of mine recently asked: "What's the deal with Cindy McCain?" We'd both noticed that she always seems to be with John McCain while he's on the stump.

My friend asked if I thought Cindy McCain was so insecure that she had to accompany John McCain everywhere. After all, John had just selected a much younger - and most unqualified - woman to run with him. In the age of Viagra, there might be something stirring in his loins.

While that's possible, I'd come up with another explanation. The last time the Republicans ran an "experienced" (well, actually, old) guy for President, he had many problems and needed much handling. Among other things, his mind was going. His wife, Nancy, took to managing him closely. She even used a psychic to offer proper guidance to "Ronnie."

The official word was that the "old gipper" was very healthy. Those who looked more closely saw the truth.

Perhaps Cindy McCain is hovering about to keep John McCain focused, on message, and out of trouble. While his mind seems okay, how is anyone supposed to know for sure? I suppose that when he starts calling Cindy "Mommy" the truth will be out.

If John McCain is elected, one thing for sure is that the Republicans will attempt to "fix" Social Security the same way they did with their last old President. They'll prop up their really old President - no matter how diminished he might be - as a perfect example of how people can continue to work well into their seventies, eighties, and beyond. They'll declare the only way to fix Social Security is to raise the retirement age to 76 years old (or older).

But, maybe raising the retirement age to 76 won't be so bad. With the fine economic mess the Republicans have created, retirement is a shattered dream for most Americans anyway.

Besides, with the failed health care system the Republicans keep promoting, the average American doesn't have a prayer of living to be 76 years old.