“My government” – Malapropism, Freudian Slip, or Oxymoron

First of all, three definitions:

• Malapropism – A ludicrous misuse of a word that sounds like the one intended. ex: “Lead the way and we’ll precede.” (should be proceed), the unintentional misuse of a word by confusion with one that sounds similar    
• Freudian slip – A slip-up that (according to Sigmund Freud) results from the operation of unconscious wishes or conflicts and can reveal unconscious processes in normal healthy individuals
• Oxymoron -  The inappropriate yoking together of a democratic institution and — well, a moron.

Here are a few of the hundreds of G. W. Bush quotes with “my government:”

PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH’S PRESS CONFERENCE AFTER 9/11/2001 – The actions my government takes, in concert with other countries, the actions we take at home to defend ourselves will serve as a go-by for future presidents, or future prime ministers in Britain, for example, or future FBI directors. It is important that we stay the course, bring these people to justice, to show — and show others how to fight the new wars of the 21st century.

Press Conference by President Bush and President Havel of Czech Republic – “Some of the comments that have been uttered about Islam do not reflect the sentiments of my government or the sentiments of most Americans.”

Press conference: Prime Minister Tony Blair and President George Bush – Later this week Prime Minister Blair and the Taoiseach will release a plan setting out the remaining actions that must be taken to realise the promise of the Good Friday Agreement. I support, and my government strongly supports, their efforts. 

2004 Presidential Candidates’ Views on the Middle East – “There’s a — the murderous ambitions of a few are trying to derail the hopes of many. And my government wants to work with governments to prevent that from happening.  

Tokyo War Crimes indictment against George W. Bush – ” Since 11 September, my government has obtained clear and compelling information that the Al Qaeda organization which is supported by the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, had a central role in the attacks. There is much we do not know .Our enquiry is in its early stages .We may find that our self-defense requires further actions with respect to other organizations and States ”

President Addresses the Nation in Prime Time Press Conference – I mean, one of the things about Elisabeth’s question was, I step back and I’ve asked myself a lot, is there anything we could have done to stop the attacks. Of course, I’ve asked that question — as have many people of my government.  

President George W. Bush; King Abdullah II of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan – The free trade agreement between Jordan and the United States is a model for the region, as my government works to build a Middle East free trade agreement.

OPENING OF THE ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES GENERAL ASSEMBLY – Working with our partners in the region, my government has helped the leaders of this hemisphere meet our goal of delivering treatment to 600,000 HIV sufferers across the region.

President condemns climate change treaty, dependence on Middle East oil – “I think that people who look at my government they’ll say that old George W. has surrounded himself with some great people. And I have.”

President Discusses Hurricane Katrina Lessons Learned Report with Cabinet - 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. 

President Discusses Strong U.S.-India Partnership in New Delhi, India. – “My government is helping Americans who have lost their jobs get new skills for new careers. ”

And here is Mr. W’s most recent use of the phrase.   It’s the Decider’s world. We just live in it – “And they can try to have their votes of no confidence [on AG Gonzales], but it’s not going to determine — make the determination who serves in my government.”

I could go on and on, but let me close with an article by Marty Kaplan from February 23, 2006 on the same topic and the definition that best fits this on going situation:

Here’s how W is defending the Dubai decision: “The more people learn about the transaction that has been scrutinized and approved by my government, the more they’ll be comforted…”

For a moment, set aside the “trust-me” part of this, and focus instead on the “my government” bit.

If he’d said “my administration,” I wouldn’t have blinked. “My cabinet” would also have raised no hackles. If he really wanted to use the word “government,” then how about these pronouns as antecedents for “people”: “their government” or “our government.”

But no, he said “my government.” I don’t think that’s just a garden variety Bushism, a trivial malapropism. I think it goes right to his understanding of who he is, and who we are. It’s not a Freudian slip; it’s an Orwellian siren, an anti-democratic red alert.

The founding documents of our nation talk about the government, our government, a government, any government. If my is used, it’s said on behalf of the citizens, not their rulers.

But W really believes that it’s his government. He doesn’t see himself as a steward, a trustee, a caretaker, someone who temporarily gets to steer the ship of state because of the momentary consent of the governed and an enduring set of rules. No, he believes it’s his ship, his state, his rules — his and his ideological fellow-travelers.

The heads of some countries with parliamentary systems, like India, sometimes say “my government“; when they do, it means ‘my Cabinet,” “my temporary ruling co[a]lition,” “my majority” — which could fall in an instant, if there were a no-confidence vote.

But in the US, we don’t have governments that get made and dissolved year-round; we have Administrations, that get formed every four years.

In the American context, unless it’s an ordinary citizen like you or me speaking, let’s recognize the expression “my government” as what it really is: a deeply troubling oxymoron, the inappropriate yoking together of a democratic institution and — well, a moron.