Wow — somebody listened!

Dave Ross Commentary – Listen: Wow — somebody listened!

Since many of us were critical of Congress for shutting down a big chunk of the FAA for no reason, it’s only fair that we compliment them for making amends.

The FAA had been forced to send 70,000 airport construction workers, and 4,000 of its own employees home, and suspend collection of airline taxes when Democrats and Republicans couldn’t agree on a $16 million subsidy to rural airports.

Then — Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood practically fell on his knees and wept:

“Calling them back. Come back to Washington. Leave your vacations, just for a couple hours.”

Prompting Rep. Steven LaTourette (R.-OH.) to reveal that the secretary could break the stalemate all by himself:

“If Senator Reid and Senator Rockefeller called up the secretary and say, ‘Hey, there’s a waiver provision, and I would like to make the case that it’s too difficult for my people in Morgantown West Virginia to drive to Pittsburgh, will you grant me a waiver?”

And just like that — problem solved. Everyone could be back to work WITH pay on Monday. It’s turns out there never was a problem. And because of the problem that never was, honest workers lost two weeks pay and 30 million dollars a day in taxes went uncollected in the name of saving $16 million dollars!

I admit it is tempting to say something snarky, but after the week we’ve had, what’s the point?

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