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The U. S. Congress recently wasted billions of taxpayer dollars on an airline industry bailout. Now a Senate and House conference committee is working feverishly on an emergency airline and airport security bill. Congress and President Bush correctly recognize that they cannot force us to fly. This can only be addressed by dramatically improving airline safety. Unfortunately, what they are considering will not fix the problem.
Federalizing airport security does nothing but waste more taxpayer money. Even if Congress decided to federalize the entire airline industry and replace it with military transports, nothing would be fixed. The reason I know this is simple. Federal government has been unable to eliminate weapons in federal prisons. If they can’t prevent weapons in federal prisons, how will they eliminate them in airports and on airplanes?
If Congress is bound and determined to do something, I recommend the following.
Mandate armed guards with fragmented ammo on each airplane
Mandate that passenger lists match luggage lists
Mandate that ALL luggage be scanned for bombs
This may work, except that Congress would likely force all of us to pay for it. This is wrong. The reason it’s wrong, is because many people do not fly. Those who choose to fly should be required to bear any additional costs associated with these mandates. This is fair. The proper function of government is to protect each of us equally, and nothing more.
Shortsighted representatives are playing fast and loose with our property and safety. Instead, they should be protecting our right to govern our own actions so long we do not harm or infringe on another person's right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. These are not silly words and nonsense. They are the values and principles outlined in the Declaration of Independence and Constitution. When people, businesses, and countries come to Congress seeking favoritism, money, ammo, and protection, Congress should go back to these founding principles.
How many times do our state and federal leaders ask the question, “Is this wrong, and is this a proper function for government?” I believe our leaders think about the outcome they want before they consider the values and principles this great country was founded on.
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