Regarding “ICE agents check traveler IDs at IAH and Hobby as Bush Airport lines top 4 hours again,” (March 27): Well, it finally happened. I missed a flight Tuesday morning at George Bush Intercontinental Airport. I had a flight at 8 a.m. from Terminal A, arrived a little after 5 a.m., encountering a serpentine line that began in the main lobby, snaked down through baggage claim and parking, then to the tunnel system past the train stop in Terminal C. Think about that: a 5-hour wait. I cancelled the trip, losing about $600. I sympathize with the TSA agents — they are just pawns in this perverse funding battle going on. They all eventually get their money. I will not.
I had called all three of my federal elected officials telling them this was unacceptable, and that they should be doing what they were elected to do which is to govern for us, not for the ideology of a party. Who do I blame for the disgrace at IAH? All of us. The Transportation Security Administration should have more robust contingency plans at a major hub. The city and Mayor John Whitmire can’t hide from this. There are other proven private alternatives. This is truly a blight on Houston’s otherwise wonderful airports.
Most of all, I blame Washington for just playing games and blaming everyone but themselves for this mess. We all deserve better than this. The election outcomes would say at least half of the folks waiting in line in the tunnel yesterday voted for the parties in control right now. How, in any reality, do any of you find this current state of affairs acceptable? You may insist on defending your principles or party mantras, but don’t drag me or the rest of the travelers trying to use our airports down with you.
The members of Congress, both houses, swore an oath to uphold the Constitution. Nowhere did they agree to support the president first or their party first, or even their constituents that elected them. Their paramount duty is to the Constitution. It is readily apparent that, even though some of them carry one around, they have failed to read it or reread it or even consider it in their actions. They have the responsibility to act as one-third of our democratic system and to act as a check and balance of the other two-thirds, the executive and the judicial. Without them acting in that way, they have abrogated their responsibility to the country and its citizens.
Within the Constitution are an enumeration of the rights and responsibilities of the legislative branch. They make the laws, the judicial branch interprets the laws and the executive branch carries out the laws. All of that is abundantly clear. Legislators who don’t uphold the Constitution face penalties ranging from political sanctions, such as censure, reprimand or expulsion by their respective legislative body. They also are subject to legal consequences, including impeachment, removal from office, civil suits and even criminal prosecution.
In practice, however, none of them seem willing to take to task any colleagues in their own party. To me, that seems like it’s a “you leave me alone and I’ll leave you alone” situation. When history (if we can outlast the current state of affairs) looks back on all three branches of our government during this day and age, and especially this presidential term, they will be judged and found very lacking.
I only hope our democracy can continue to exist into its 251st year, but I’m extremely concerned for my children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. They’ll be left behind to pick up the pieces.