Republicans control both the House of Representatives and the White House. The president’s approval rating is near 90 percent. Democrats have a slim one-vote edge in the Senate, far from control since it takes a three-fifths vote to limit debate and vote a bill into law. Then, why, oh why did the Republicans cave in on the airport security bill and agree to add 28,000 new workers to the federal bureaucracy?
We are being told that this is a compromise between the House and the Senate bill. Senate Minority Leader Trent Lott called it, “A victory for both sides.” If this were true, why, during the vote on the House floor, were the only smiles on the faces of liberal Democrats. Conservative Republicans were milling around in a state of bewilderment. Last Wednesday, the House Republican Conference was working overtime placing members on radio and television shows to tell us why a federalized work force was a bad idea. On Thursday, GOP whip, Tom Delay, R-Texas, was passing out a two-page fact sheet extolling the virtues of a bill that drives private companies out of the airport screening business.
Like dutiful “Stepford Wives,” they cast their votes. Only nine brave Republicans chose not to stay aboard this sinking party ship. Kevin Brady, Texas; Howard Coble, N.C.; Mac Collins, Ga.; Ron Paul, Texas; Pete Sessions, Texas; Bob Schaffer, Colo.; John Shaddag, Ariz.; Bob Stump, Ariz. and Charles Taylor, N.C.
The biggest problem of a federalized work force, is that a federal worker is much more likely than a private worker to become a union worker and a union worker is much more difficult to fire for poor performance. A provision was added that ostensibly would allow the Department of Transportation to bypass federal rulemaking procedures in order to dismiss unsatisfactory workers.
Shadegg, an attorney and chairman of the 25-year-old Republican Study Committee put out a memo to let members know that the language “leaves it unclear whether the under-secretary would be required to follow certain established procedural protections (including internal and external appeals – including the courts) before terminating or disciplining employees.”
However, even if this were true, it is rare for an employee of the federal government to be fired, no matter how unsatisfactory he or she may be for one simple reason: It’s just too much trouble and federal managers, unlike managers in the private sector, never have to worry about the bottom line.
Most companies presently holding the big airport-screening contracts have done a poor job. However, many of the problems that have been highlighted, such as the hiring of non-citizens, poor performance and lack of background checks, are the result of lack of oversight, watered-down laws due to airline lobbying, pressure from the airlines to hold the price down and pressure from the government itself through the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to hire and retain these people.
A better solution would be tough new standards and “three strikes you’re out.” If a company fails an inspection three times, it is tossed out permanently.
A compromise indicates an even playing field. This one isn’t. Within a year, the government will take over airport screening at all 450 of the nation’s airports. After the system is in place, five airports out of the 450 can opt out and hire private contractors for what is termed “demonstration projects.” What airport manager would put his or her job at risk and swim against this tide? Three years later, when the feds are firmly in control, other airports can opt out if they wish. Sure!
The idea that a federal work force somehow will be a better work force and will make less mistakes than a private work force is ludicrous. The kinder, more customer-friendly Internal Revenue Service is a case in point. After two years of pressure from Congress, a Treasury Department sampling of service at IRS walk-in centers this year found that agents gave taxpayers incorrect or insufficient advice on their tax questions 73 percent of the time – a slight improvement over last year’s 81 percent error rate. Put that record up against the companies presently doing airport screening and even Argenbright begins to look competent.
So why did Republicans cave? Some say it was the pressure of the Thanksgiving holiday, traditionally the busiest travel period of the year. The bill will not affect security during this period but it’s symbolism over substance. Others say that by giving in to the Democrats on airport security, they expect the Democrats to give in to them on the stimulus bill.
One thing should be clear: The biggest Thanksgiving turkeys this year aren’t the ones on dining tables.
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