Do we need the Dept. of Homeland Security?
As Napolitano leaves, can this offer an opportunity to reevaluate the need for this department?
It was established after 9/11, when members of Congress and the administration were climbing over each other to offer their patriotism and sincerity at protecting us. Yes, same time as the ill-named "Patriot Act" was enacted.
It was supposed to unify different departments and agencies in charge of national security but instead, I think, just created another bureaucratic monster.
As it is, there are already 14 vacancies in the Dept.
From http://www.denverpost.com/nationworld/ci_23656317/napolitanos-departure-bares-gaps-homeland-security-leadership
The leadership vacancy created by Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano's resignation is the latest and greatest blow to a department where one-third of the heads of key agencies and divisions have been filled with acting officials or remained vacant for months.
Napolitano's departure, slated for September, will create the 15th hole in the department's 45 leadership positions.
Napolitano's chief of staff and director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement are leaving this month. The deputy secretary, general counsel, heads of Customs and Border Protection, privacy, legislative affairs, intelligence and analysis and more are filled with acting officials. Other key positions — executive secretariat, inspector general and deputy undersecretary for cybersecurity — remain vacant.
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Some years back there was an interview with Richard Clarke - a national security expert under the Reagan through the Bush Jr. administrations. And he pointed out large building complexes and a huge bureaucracy gobbling a lot of money with not much benefit to show.
So, just thinking.
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