I first thought the Ryan nomination would make it easier for the Democratic leadership to put together their "grand bargain" (funny--fucking the little people is "grand") to cut Social Security. I figured it would make Democratic partisans more likely to believe the best we could do is what the President, Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi could hash out behind closed doors, rather than standing behind one of the most successful government programs in American history.
But it looks like hanging Social Security cuts on the Republicans is irresistible. I still fear the lame duck session, and the first year of an Obama second term, but Biden has provided an accountability moment.
You might want to give your elected officials a call when they get back to "work."