As usual, our power-hungry Congress is reacting badly to a crisis. Whenever that happens, freedom usually suffers.
Last week the Senate passed a pair of bills that – fortunately – more cooler heads in the GOP-controlled House oppose, at least so far.
On a vote of 100-0 on Thursday, senators passed a bill that would allow pilots to carry guns if airlines permitted; would put armed federal guards at “key checkpoints” (whatever that means); hire more plainclothes air marshals; and add tens of thousands of airport baggage handlers and security “screeners” to the federal payroll.
That means taxpayers will have to foot the bill forever and ever, amen.
Also on Thursday, the Senate voted 96-1 for a bill that will allow a huge expansion of federal law-enforcement powers, including increased authority to tap suspected terrorists’ phones (wherever they go) as well as hold “suspected” terrorists indefinitely. The House wants a time limit on these provisions; the Senate does not.
If these two federal expansions of power weren’t enough, House and Senate Democrats – right on cue, like the good little socialists most of them are – want the taxpayer to foot the bill for billions more in “relief” payments to workers laid off or otherwise sidelined by a U.S. economy that has admittedly worsened since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. This, despite the fact that they are already collecting federal unemployment benefits. So what’s the “extra” money for?
Groan.
At precisely a time when Americans are hurting financially, Democrats want more of our money.
And at precisely a time when Americans are feeling the most vulnerable, the power-mongers on Capitol Hill are trying to take advantage of the fear and confusion to expand Washington’s power over the masses.
Both actions are as contemptible as they are unnecessary, and Americans shouldn’t put up with either of these new measures.
The last thing the federal government needs is more employees – mostly because additional employees never come without additional inefficient bureaucracy. Also, the worse the economy gets, the less taxes Americans should have to pay – not the other way around. History has proven that when taxes are reduced, personal spending flourishes and a bad economy goes away.
The Senate is trying to act as though it is “doing something” about the Sept. 11 attacks. Don’t be fooled by rhetoric – Congress has already authorized that “something” be done by giving President Bush the authority he needs to wage our war on terrorism.
In the meantime, Americans should work diligently with their lawmakers to keep as much of their freedom and money as possible. That means no new federal employees, no new federal power and no new legislation to enact either of those things.
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WND Staff