The reason why "investing" in the economy in the form of government spending always, without fail, leads to adverse results and negative returns, is because unlike the private sector, there are neither checks and balances, nor punishment if one fails at their job. Case in point, the much maligned Transportation Security Administration, aka the TSA, best known for groping women and infants at airport checkpoints is about to be even more maligned because according to an exclusive report from ABC [10], TSA screeners failed ailed to detect mock explosives and weapons in 95% of tests carried out by undercover agents.
From ABC [10]:
According to officials briefed on the results of a recent Homeland Security Inspector General’s report, TSA agents failed 67 out of 70 tests, with Red Team members repeatedly able to get potential weapons through checkpoints.
In one test an undercover agent was stopped after setting off an alarm at a magnetometer, but TSA screeners failed to detect a fake explosive device that was taped to his back during a follow-on pat down.
Officials would not divulge the exact time period of the testing other than to say it concluded recently.
Not surprisingly for the world's most transparent administration, even the utmost failure of government has to be kept a total secret. Or rather "especially"
Johnson issued a statement on Monday saying the results of the security checks were classified but that he had directed the TSA to revise screening procedures "to address specific vulnerabilities identified" in the undercover operation. He also ordered training for all TSA officers and supervisors across the country and testing of airports' screening equipment.
So, "we can't tell you what the vulnerabilities are, but make sure you address them." Ok then.
The result was so shocking to a government worker, he could not possibly fathom how other government workers could be so utterly worthless.
Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson was apparently so frustrated by the findings he sought a detailed briefing on them last week at TSA headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, according to sources. U.S. officials insisted changes have already been made at airports to address vulnerabilities identified by the latest tests.
“Upon learning the initial findings of the Office of Inspector General's report, Secretary Johnson immediately directed TSA to implement a series of actions, several of which are now in place, to address the issues raised in the report,” the DHS said in a written statement to ABC News.
He also unleashed a stern talking down of TSA agents because what is he going to do: fire them? Gotta keep that artificial GDP elevated somehow; take away billions in "sunk" government funds to keep Personal Consumption high and next come the triple seasonal-adjustments.
Well, unlike previous occasions during which the TSA fared just as poorly, this time there a consequence: the acting administrator for the Transportation Security Administration was reassigned.
"The numbers in these reports never look good out of context but they are a critical element in the continual evolution of our aviation security," Johnson said. "We take these findings very seriously in our continued effort to test, measure and enhance our capabilities and techniques as threats evolve."
Johnson noted that President Barack Obama had nominated Coast Guard Vice Admiral Pete Neffenger to be the next TSA administrator, and urged the U.S. Senate to confirm his nomination as quickly as possible.
And just like that, with that single act of "punishment" in which a government worker will continue to collect a government pay if at a diffent part of the government, all the incompetence, corruption and smothering bureaucracy in the government sector will be promptly fixed. Just like Greece.
