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In reply to the discussion: The Republicans SERIOUSLY fucked themselves with the FAA thing [View all]JDPriestly
(57,936 posts)You state:
Across-the-board cuts were a stupid idea in the first place. There are a lot of posts on here about how the rich needed the FAA cuts to end...probably so their private jets wouldn't be affected. Well gee guys, tell a little girl whose new kidney is two time zones away, a family going to Walter Reed to visit one of George Bush's victims or a hundred factory workers in Minnesota who won't work tomorrow if a critical machine part doesn't get here from California by 9 am that air service isn't important. The reality is that everything the government does is important to someone.
It isn't s matter of slowing down traffic. It is a matter of imposing the cost of supporting air traffic on those who fly and not on seniors and the poor.
Do as Canada does and make the airports non-profits supported by fees and airline ticket charges to those who fly.
We should not subsidize the airlines. Those who fly should pay the costs of the airports.
The situations you describe -- a little girl who needs a kidney or delivery of a critical machine part are very rare. It is not worth imposing the entire expense of airport security, air traffic control and all the other costs that air traffic now impose on the general public on those who do not drive.
An elderly, disabled person should not have to do without meals on wheels so that the rich can afford cheap rates for their trip to Bermuda. The cuts to meals on wheels and the trips to Bermuda or wherever are everyday realities. The rushed delivery of a kidney or parts for a factory are relatively rare.
Airlines are one of the many big corporate bullies that externalize their costs and make those who do not understand the concept of externalizing costs pay for the airlines huge profits.
Sorry, but I have to call the faulty argument. It isn't personal. But you must understand that people will suffer in order to make cheap vacation fares possible for the rich.