One of the many reasons that the Democrats were big losers in the last election is that they did not have a team of people with a maniacal focus on making sure that the messages placed in front of the public were perfectly framed for mass consumption.

For example, the Bush Administration is currently delivering new marching orders to the press and anyone who’ll listen which basically say “ixnay the ermtay ivatizationpray”.

So, if you talk about the plans to privatize Social Security, then you are being pejorative and cynical… a Democrat. The new acceptable terminology?

“Personal retirement accounts”.

See? Don’t you feel your fears melting away already? I mean, “privatization” conjures up all those nasty, sinful thoughts like “mutual fund companies and brokerages will be feeding at the public trough”. But see, now that it’s all personal, you can focus on the fact that you will own it. It’s yours. Never mind that you’ll also own more risk than before; you’ll be a part of the ownership society!

So, sit back, relax, let the Bushies take care of it. While you’re at it, have some soma. It’s on the house!

Oh, and Billmon (clever guy, him), has the usual fun confluence of quotes on privatizationpersonal accounts.