When George Bush finished his second term he had to shift to private lodgings and, apparently, has been seen carrying shopping bags and has been heard complaining about picking up dog poo. Not so our politicians. They stay forever in houses costing more than Rs. 2 billion for years with 24 hour security and travel expenses paid for by the taxpayer. Not only that even the daughter who does not occupy any post gets the same privileges. Now in a show of supreme hypocrisy these shameless people are flying economy class to show austerity. I wait to see our footlicking press eulogising these hypocrites in flowery prose and, genetic chamchas that we are, we will applaud oh so gratefully. Meanwhile the Chief Justice India, Mr. K. G. Balakrishnan has said that kleptocrats are consistently escaping punishment for their crimes because investigating agencies have to seek permission before prosecuting any civil servant. 99% of civil servants are criminals or, to put it another way, only those with criminal tendencies seek sarkari jobs. Reminiscent of George Orwell this impunity is afforded by the aptly named Prevention of Corruption Act. Of course, it is all in the service of the aam aadmi.