Tag: common sense view on government

Government Regulation Does Not Fly; nor should it.

Posted on by Ladmann

Another example of lack of productive government regulation is the Federal Aviation Administration [FAA]. You might believe that traveling at 30,000 feet above the earth deserves some guidance. You would think that maintaining the best quality personnel, technology and funding would be minimum expectations.

How does the FAA measure up?

  • Air Missions system [NOTAM] was installed 30 years ago with no upgrades planned for another 6 years. [i]
  • FAA’s NextGen Project is 10 years behind schedule.
  • No funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act passed by Congress 2 years ago.
  • 77% of critical air traffic control facilities are staffed below FAA’s 85% threshold. [85%??????]
  • 22% of total air traffic controllers are trainees. [ii]

So much for the government benefit of technology, personnel, and funding.

Yet according to the FAA website, “Today, the major capital programs under development in the FAA are on track…” [iii]

How about privatization of air traffic control [ATC]? Several countries have successfully implemented privatization: Canada [iv], United Kingdom [v], France, Germany, Australia, and New Zealand [vi].

 

 

[i] Corrupt software introduced by contractors took down FAA system, officials say (nbcnews.com)

[ii] More Airline Regulations? Regulation, The Cato Review of Business and Government; Fall 2023, Vol. 46, No.3, pg.4.

[iii] Technology | Federal Aviation Administration (faa.gov)

[iv] Q&A: The pros and cons of privatizing air traffic control | AP News

[v] Delta Report 1.29

[vi] Privatization of ATC – The Pros and Cons | (airinsight.com)

Government Waste vs. Investment

Posted on by Ladmann

Government Waste vs. Investment

Though I am a Libertarian, I believe we are at a flexing point in our country where we need to invest in basic foundations, that solidify the freedoms we believe in. A sample of these investments are:

  • Physical infrastructure; roads, bridges, dams, water, climate change, housing,
  • Reduction in regulations that overburden all aspects of our society,
  • “Green Energy” technology,
  • Job training and education for the new economic realities.

Obviously, these all require spending from funds not available, except through additional debt. So additional sources of funding are required. A sample of these are:

  • Reducing unnecessary spending in government programs and departments lacking the urgent priorities facing us,
  • Eliminating tax subsidies no longer necessary and counter-productive such as tobacco, oil, coal, agriculture, etc.,
  • Closing multiple military bases overseas, and returning troops home,
  • Reducing NASA budgets for space exploration, living on Mars is not the answer,
  • Reducing international interference and involvement in other countries.

It is not governments job to solve all problems and fund all projects. By trying to do too much, we lesson the benefits to all.

It is not our country’s job to be the policeman of the world. We continuously spend vast sums in blood and treasure in short-sited, inappropriate, and incorrect activities.

We require a small and more focused government at all levels.