Small Wording, Big Implication

This is another one of those "little issue/big issue" things that depends on which side of the fence you sit.

It involves a small phrase buried in a statement by President Bush regarding the Dubai port deal, and I think it's pretty clear that the Left will be up in arms about it while the Right says "What? It means NOTHING!". I think it's also pretty clear that had Clinton used the same phrase, the reactions would have been the same with the roles reversed.

Given, however, my impression of this President, I think it is a slip of the tongue which probably speaks volumes as to his view of the world.

The phrase is "my government". (link here) It was said in the following sentence: "The more people learn about the transaction that has been scrutinized and approved by my government the more they will be comforted that our ports will be secure."

It's not worth making a federal case over, but it is worth noting because it is emblematic of how it appears President Bush views the power in this country. Not "my Administration" or "my cabinet", but "my government", as though rather than being at the head of one of the three supposedly equal branches of our federal government, he views himself as sitting atop the entire federal government.

If you don't agree that he feels this way, then you will likely not have any issue with the use of the words "my government". But you will understand why those of us who perceive that Bush seems to view checks and balances as unconstitutional impediments on his executive power might be a little bit more concerned about the world view behind the words.

In my view, in terms of Bush quotes, this goes not in the pile of "misunderestimations" and "subliminables", but in the same pile as "Stop throwing the Constitution in my face. It’s just a goddamned piece of paper!" (link here).

Liam.