The Real Meaning of “Ownership Society”

[[H U H ?]] * Now we understand why George W. Bush grows so temperamental whenever folks question or criticize his “leadership” in Washington, D.C. While trying to defend his administration’s acceptance of a plan that would put a Dubai-government-owned company in charge of six major U.S. seaports, the prez told reporters on Thursday that “people don’t need to worry about security.” And he added:

“The more people learn about the transaction that has been scrutinized and approved by my government, the more they’ll be comforted that our ports will be secure.”

Gee, maybe I’m naïve and all, but I always thought that as American citizens, it was our government, not the possession of Bush or any other president.

How easily power can go to the heads of some poor sods. Bush’s statement reminds me of another arrogant remark by a Texas Republican, made just a few years back by none other than that great law-abiding lawmaker Tom DeLay. Asked by the owner of Ruth’s Chris Steak House to extinguish his cigar in the restaurant, because federal government regulations forbade smoking in the building, the then-U.S. House majority leader retorted: “I am the federal government.”

We all know how well that gig turned out for ol’ Tom.