According to a new poll released by Associated Press, most Americans don't believe Medicare or Social Security need to be cut in order to balance the federal budget.  It also found that about 60% of those polled say both programs are vital to their basic financial security as they age.

This survey suggests that the effort made by congressional Republicans to overhaul these programs to reduce the debt have been unsuccessful.  It's particularly surprising because everything you read, see, and hear about this issue is how critical the problem is and how important it is that something be done.  I think there's more than one way that they can be fixed, but I agree that something has to be done.  The fact that there are so many who disagree suggests one of the great truths I have learned in my life:  people will so often say one thing and think something else altogether.  I think many of us want to go along with what seems like the popular point of view; we may even know the wisdom of it.  But when it comes right down to it, all of us will revert to acting in our own best interests.  I don't mean to sound judgmental; I think it's only natural and right.  I also think it's why I can't for the life of me understand why anyone would want to get into politics.  Accomplishing anything on your own terms will never happen.

Here's a link to the story:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110523/ap_on_bi_ge/us_ap_poll_retirement_insecurity

iPhone users looking to add software that is available other than on iTunes have been out of luck--until the federal government decided to permit unlocking the phone to get and run software not approved by Apple, a process known as "jailbreaking".

Here's the details. 

Big Jim is new to Newsradio 570 WSYR, but certainly not new to radio.  He’s been around a microphone since the early ‘70’s, and worked all over the Western US before moving to Syracuse in 1992.  He hosted a music show for many years here, and now has come to Newsradio 570 WSYR to try his hand at talking for more that 15 seconds at a time!

Big Jim is a Pacific Northwest native, growing up on the Oregon coast.  It took some doing to adjust to the snow, since it only falls there once every few years.  But after 18 years in the Salt City, he’s an old hand at it!  Big Jim also does lots of public address announcing for SU and Colgate University, and is active in Sons Of Norway.

Big Jim and his wife Christine, who’s an executive assistant at Lockheed, live in Liverpool with Christine’s son Kyle (when he’s not away at college), Zoe their cat and Edgar their dog.

Check out Big Jim Saturday mornings from 6-8 for Central New York’s Saturday Morning New on Newsradio 570 WSYR!