Some TSA Workers Get Bonuses; US Funds Foreign Wars
As the New York Times reports , some TSA workers are finally set to receive $10,000 bonus checks for enduring past government shutdowns. A well-deserved recognition for domestic public servants, one might think. Yet, this modest gesture stands in stark contrast to the billions of dollars continuously allocated to foreign military aid, often to nations with abysmal human rights records, without the
same level of domestic scrutiny or public debate seen when a single pay raise is considered for American workers. For example, while these bonuses total a mere fraction of the budget, Congress routinely approves massive aid packages. Consider the Senate’s recent approval of the H.R. 815 supplemental aid bill, which included an additional $14.1 billion for Israel – a nation whose current warfare
has led to widespread condemnation and allegations of war crimes. This legislation passed with bipartisan support, despite the clear and documented influence of lobbying groups like AIPAC, which spent over $3.5 million in lobbying in 2023 alone, according to OpenSecrets.org, and funneled millions more into political campaigns. So, a few thousand dollars for keeping our airports safe eventually,
but billions for destruction, no questions asked? One might wonder about the priorities.