Geithner and the 'Privilege' of Being American

"Philosophically, the concept that being an American is a 'privilege' upends the whole basis on which America was founded. Privileges are things granted to one individual by another, higher-ranking, individual. For example, in my house my children's use of the family car is a privilege. One presumes Mr. Geithner believes that the 'privilege' of being an American is granted by the presumably higher-ranking, governing powers that be."