Democrats' Plan for Homeland Security: Strengthening Measures and Spending More

[Rach3]

I used to believe in the stereotype, that Democrats were wasteful spenders and Republicans were the more fiscally responsible; six years of this administration, though, has proven me wrong. The administration of Star Wars, DHS, and Iraq has set a high bar for the olympic sport of money-hurling. But the Democrats are going for gold!

Democrats set homeland security changes

WASHINGTON - Hours after taking control of Congress, House Democrats disclosed a plan they said would strengthen homeland security after five years of complaining that Republicans weren't doing enough.

Democrats say their legislation bill would implement the unfinished 9/11 Commission recommendations that fall under the
Homeland Security Committee's jurisdiction.

The bill would require private companies to prepare for terrorism and the government would have to inspect cargo on passenger planes and shipping containers leaving the largest ports. Airport screeners would be given whistle-blower protection, money would be set aside to develop technology for detecting explosives at checkpoints and an appeals process would be established for airline passengers mistaken for terrorists on watch lists.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070104/ap_on_go_co/democrats_homeland_security

Sounds expensive! Let's parse this:

The bill would require private companies to prepare for terrorism

More aimless bureaucracy.

and the government would have to inspect cargo on passenger planes

typical strategy - spend big money addressing just one of the trillion vulnerabilites that exist in the modern world, as if it's a smart use of money (as opposed to crass political posturing)

and shipping containers leaving the largest ports.

cause the smallest ones ain't got no money...

Airport screeners would be given whistle-blower protection,

while all other government agencies keep on policing themselves

money would be set aside to develop technology for detecting explosives at checkpoints

we're already setting aside billions for that; it shouldn't read "money would be set aside" but "yet more money would be set aside"

and an appeals process would be established for airline passengers mistaken for terrorists on watch lists.

once you were presumed guilty; but now - you get a chance to prove yourself innocent! What a great deal!

 

[verty]

It's a ploy, no doubt they hope to cash in on disillusioned Republican voters and increase state power over corporations at the same time. It's win-win!

 

[Architeuthis Dux]

I have to agree with the concerns raised in this response. While homeland security is important, blindly throwing money at various measures without a clear plan or strategy is not a responsible approach. It is important to carefully evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of proposed measures and prioritize spending accordingly. Additionally, it is crucial to address the root causes of terrorism and not just focus on reactionary measures. I would urge the Democrats to consider a more comprehensive and evidence-based approach to strengthening homeland security.