Big Gubmint Regulation - The FAA Crackdown
 

Great article on the perils of politically driven oversight and regulation. Something to read while you sit in the airport...

We thought we'd left this hypernanny state mentality in the 1970s, but with this Democratic Congress it is back with a vengeance.

The FAA fiasco gives us a glimpse of what the world would look like under this reregulatory assault. It would mean that every business misstep, no matter how rare, could potentially result in industry-wide repercussions. Congress would call for more rules and greater enforcement, in the name of "safety." And regulatory agencies would respond with overkill. The cost of doing business would rise, and consumers would pay for it in higher prices, less convenience or both.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120787056112706437.html?mod=djemEditorialPage

But if you're opposed to this, you must be opposed to safer air travel! Oh, the horror! What's wrong with you! Think of the CHILDREN!!!



(yes, this tactic disgusts me too).

Total grandstanding.

"Look people, look what we are doing for you! Look what we are doing to keep you SAFE! Those mean, nasty big businesses were putting your lives on the line, but your friends in Congress will protect you! Look how effective we are!"

This way the look like they are really helping the public, without pissing off anyone during an election year. The airlines take the fall, because they are the ones who cancel flights. The media plays right into their hands, because the morons know nothing about aircraft, and want to sell their "flying deathtraps" story on the news. Exponential stupidity, that's all it is.

This is exactly what I think of airport security - total grandstanding to make people think the people in power are doing something to make them safer. If it causes so much difficulty it must be doing something good, right?

+1 on the grandstanding. Ever read the editorial page of Useless Today? Never, ever is their a word of praise for the FAA. Maybe I'm oversensitive because I'm a 26-year employee (not aircraft inspection), but the FAA is wrong no matter what. Not too many years ago we were beaten bloody because we weren't being responsive enough to the big air carriers. Now we're too cozy. And the politics? Puhleeze! There's more to this story, but you'll never see it in the MSM.