Sunday, January 16, 2005

The Monty Python President

With apologies to the fine comedians of Monty Python, but they couldn't have written a better script.)

Here is an excerpt of an interview conducted by a reporter of the Washington Post and Preznit Gee Dubya Chimp. The interviewer asked him about his plan to privatize social security. (A little background: The Bushites called it privatizing social security until polls showed that people weren't in favor of the plan so they decided to call it personal accounts to make it seem more acceptable. It's the same plan marketed under a new name.)

The Post: Will you talk to Senate Democrats about your privatization plan?

THE PRESIDENT: You mean, the personal savings accounts?

The Post: Yes, exactly. Scott has been --

THE PRESIDENT: We don't want to be editorializing, at least in the questions.

The Post: You used partial privatization yourself last year, sir.

THE PRESIDENT: Yes?

The Post: Yes, three times in one sentence. We had to figure this out, because we're in an argument with the RNC [Republican National Committee] about how we should actually word this. [Post staff writer] Mike Allen, the industrious Mike Allen, found it.

THE PRESIDENT: Allen did what now?

The Post: You used partial privatization.

THE PRESIDENT: I did, personally?

The Post: Right.

THE PRESIDENT: When?

The Post: To describe it.

THE PRESIDENT: When, when was it?

The Post: Mike said it was right around the election.

THE PRESIDENT: Seriously?

The Post: It was right around the election. We'll send it over.

THE PRESIDENT: I'm surprised. Maybe I did. It's amazing what happens when you're tired. Anyway, your question was? I'm sorry for interrupting.