“Give it to me!”

Are these words of responsibility or socialism or what? From The Associated Press: Obama takes possession of economy:

With four simple words — “Give it to me!” — President Barack Obama took possession of the economy.

For months, the White House and Obama’s economic team have laid the economic crisis at the feet of President George W. Bush. But there comes a point in a presidency when inheritance becomes ownership. Obama made that pivot Tuesday in Michigan, the state suffering the worst unemployment in the nation.

“I love these folks who helped get us in this mess and then suddenly say, ‘Well, this is Obama’s economy,'” the president said in a pointed deviation from his prepared text. “That’s fine. Give it to me!”

It was a defiant moment, reminiscent of Bush’s own “Bring ’em on!” taunt in 2003 to militants in Iraq.

Like Bush’s brash challenge, Obama’s could haunt him, too. It’s a calculated risk that confronts his critics head-on and casts him as an activist, on-the-job president.

If he means that he is taking responsibility for the state of the economy, I find these words refreshing and give the president credit. At the same time, there is an ironic double meaning–give me the economy!–that is unsettling.