By Steve Barrett

You first, Jackie

What is it about life in a free society that makes some celebrities so blind to oppression?

I’m not talking (this time) about Danny Glover’s backhanded defense of Castro’s Cuba. Rather, I’m talking about Jackie Chan.

Hong Kong-born Mr. Chan is an international superstar. Assuming he has the faintest caution with his finances, he is a millionaire many times over, and he got that way through hard work in free-market nations.

Yet here is what he said during a business conference in Mainland China: “I’m not sure if it’s good to have freedom or not. I’m gradually beginning to feel that we Chinese need to be controlled. If we’re not being controlled, we’ll just do what we want.”

He added that Hong Kong — which is run by China these days but retains many freedoms denied to other Chinese — and Taiwan have become “chaotic” societies because of the liberties they enjoy.

I cannot speak to what chaos may or may not exist in Hong Kong or Taiwan, but Jackie, whatever may ail those places, their citizens are vastly better off than the Chinese who live with the boot of totalitarianism on their necks.

If you’re so fired up about “control,” try a little experiment: Move to Mainland China permanently. Reject any and all preferential treatment by the Chinese government or the Chinese businessmen who applauded your remarks. Surrender enough of your earnings that you will have the same standard of living as the average Chinese. Then tell us how much you like “being controlled.”

Steve Barrett can be reached at sbarrett@timesfreepress.com.