We keep hearing about the "meat cleaver" approach to government spending that comes from the sequester; it has become president Obama's mantra. We are told that cuts in the growth of spending will bring disaster. One of the favorite threats is that there will be long lines at airports because TSA will have to furlough workers. Indeed, since the sequester went into effect four days ago, there have been stories in the press that the long lines are already showing up at the airports. Let's be clear: THIS IS A LIE!!! Not a single TSA employee has been furloughed. In fact, no employee of TSA could have been put on furlough since these folks are required to get 30 days notice before any furlough could begin. That's right, there could not be any layoffs until early April, so there cannot be long lines now resulting from furloughs.
What we have found out, though, today is that just last week, the Department of Homeland Security signed a major contract to get new uniforms for all TSA workers. Again, let's be clear. These are not uniforms needed to replace ones that have worn out. No, these are uniforms intended to rebrand the workers to make their appearance more inviting and to better "represent" the government that employs them. TSA is spending over $1000 per worker to buy these new uniforms. One may properly ask the TSA what in God's name it is doing. Putting this in perspective, this is roughly the equivalent of painting the walls of one's living room to improve its appearance while the rest of the house is burning down. It is total idiocy. Just think how many of those supposed long lines could be avoided if TSA employees in their current uniforms were kept working rather than opting for some fancy new uniform and fewer employees due to layoffs.
Is it any wonder that Americans cast a dubious eye on the Obama claims that any spending reduction will cause disaster. Anyone with a brain understands that the federal government could cut spending by ten times the amount of the sequester and still function with very little reduction in actual services. Of course, that would require someone with half a brain looking at the government and cutting out the waste and stupidity -- clearly something that is not happening now.
What we have found out, though, today is that just last week, the Department of Homeland Security signed a major contract to get new uniforms for all TSA workers. Again, let's be clear. These are not uniforms needed to replace ones that have worn out. No, these are uniforms intended to rebrand the workers to make their appearance more inviting and to better "represent" the government that employs them. TSA is spending over $1000 per worker to buy these new uniforms. One may properly ask the TSA what in God's name it is doing. Putting this in perspective, this is roughly the equivalent of painting the walls of one's living room to improve its appearance while the rest of the house is burning down. It is total idiocy. Just think how many of those supposed long lines could be avoided if TSA employees in their current uniforms were kept working rather than opting for some fancy new uniform and fewer employees due to layoffs.
Is it any wonder that Americans cast a dubious eye on the Obama claims that any spending reduction will cause disaster. Anyone with a brain understands that the federal government could cut spending by ten times the amount of the sequester and still function with very little reduction in actual services. Of course, that would require someone with half a brain looking at the government and cutting out the waste and stupidity -- clearly something that is not happening now.
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