Proof that oversight is blind and needs jail time
Just the kind of story that further solidifies public opinion that much about government is dysfunctional to a degree that borders on perverse. This of course is a reminder of Air Pelosi and the first woman Speaker’s need for special aircraft claimed to be a security concern. Government regulations previously allowed first or business class passage for federal employees if there were security or disability concerns, etc. The article below indicates many government employees were ignoring the regs and doing as they pleased. So much for draining the swamp and letting sunlight disinfect the behavior of government workers including Congress.
Since two out of three business or first class trips by government employees failed to show cause for public funds paying for such perks, now they have to justify such travel arrangements. So what is different about the way it was and the changes suggested by this legislation? Nothing!! The regs required approval for seating above coach before and was ignored so how is requiring it with a new law supposed to change anything?
Would it be too much to terminate employees who violate federal regulations? Would it be excessive to consider penalties involving jail time to remedy the situation? This is in effect stealing federal funds and/or defrauding the public. But so much of what goes on in government is so the whole bunch may be in jeopardy of jail time if strict rules were enforced.
Senator Norm Coleman suggests his bill will allow Congress to oversee government travel to correct the problem. How ridiculous is that? Congress can’t even oversee their own members and eliminate illegal activity. How will Congress be able to oversee other government employees misuse of public funds? Oh, maybe that is the whole idea. Perpetrate another hoax on the American taxpayer. You might wonder if there is any adult supervision within the ranks of public employment. Why does Congress need to oversee something that should be handled by supervisors or managers in the offending employees work place?
Another disgraceful aspect of this story is the article’s lone example of travel rules violations involved employees of the Department of Justice. It is extremely disheartening that most of what is said in government is meaningless talk that shares no resemblance to the actions of that same government. More layers of incompetent or misleading oversight will solve nothing in this case or any other area of government as long as the fox is guarding the hen house. Not unlike the thin blue line it appears everyone in government is either trying to line their pockets with public money or are unwilling or unable to impede others from doing it. Perhaps it is the cost of doing business. But then that is as useless an excuse as the ones that come from Washington. It is more likely public apathy and refusal to hold those who violate the law responsible for their actions. If someone else doesn’t do it they feel no obligation to fill the void. That would be all of us folks. We are all either part of the solution or part of the problem.