Pro-Business Republicans Still Meddling in the Private Sector

by Brent Smith | May 2, 2017 12:02 am

I thought the swamp was supposed to be drained, or at least draining – because this is pretty swampish. This incident is a shining example of the hyper-regulated State.
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On April 9, Congress intends to drag Oscar Munoz and Scott Kirby, the Chief Executive Officer and President respectively of UAL, parent company of United Airlines, to testify regarding a passenger, the now famous Dr. David Dao. Recall that the doctor was forcibly removed, dragged out and screaming like a girl, by authorities when he refused to vacate a United Airlines flight.
 
Many might say that no – they’re not being dragged before Congress – they are voluntarily testifying. Right. When the all-powerful federal government requests your presence at a hearing, is it really advisable to decline?
 
My feelings toward Dr. Dao not withstanding, this was the dumbest move United could have made – and boy are they paying for it now.
 
All that aside, can anyone please tell me how or why the federal House of Representatives has the right or authority to summon the head of a privately owned corporation for something which is clearly none of the government’s business?
 
Fox Business writes  that the House Transportation Committee will hear testimony by not only the two UAL execs but also from “lower level executives from American Airlines Inc, Alaska Airlines and Southwest Airlines.”
 
“The hearing is aimed at determining ‘what can be done to improve the flying experience for American travelers,” the committee said.
 
Again – how is this the business of the government? It isn’t. Not even close, but they make it their business because they feel they can. This is a photo op for Congressman, who normally labor in relative anonymity, to get their mugs on camera, and show their constituents back home (and the media) how much they care about the safety and welfare of the flying public.
 
And of course, not to be out done, a “U.S. Senate panel plans a similar hearing on Thursday, but has not disclosed witnesses.” Witnesses? Witnesses to what?
 
This really bothers me. I recall not too long ago when the Republican controlled House and Senate would whine that President Obama didn’t have the authority or right to do many things he did, such as just changing the ObamaCare law whenever he saw fit. I vaguely remember that then Speaker of the House, John Boehner, claimed he was going to file a lawsuit against Obama over it. That’s how much they said Obama overstepped his bounds.
 
Of this they had every right to complain. The House and Senate have complained about much of the Obama administration’s lawlessness and usurpation of authority – from the IRS, to the EPA, etc. – targeting private citizens and industries.
 
These lawmakers also complain that the federal courts are rogue – that have no right to judge on this or that. All of these complaints are valid examples of government overreach of one sort or another.
 
However, the Dr. Dao video “touched off a public outcry, and prompted calls from congressmen for new industry regulation.” Naturally – because as we know, and has been demonstrated so often, a new law and/or regulation will fix everything.
 
Now when the Republicans have a golden opportunity to do the right thing and just leave the private sector to work things out on its own, they instead take the path of government overreach and meddling – doing the same thing they whined about for so many years under Obama.
 
They have been given a chance to tell the “outcrying” public that while we agree that the United Airlines incident was terribly handled, it is really none of our business. Whether a “new industry regulation” might help things or not is immaterial. The Republican House and Senate would prefer to ere on the side of freedom. 
Of course this is all academic, for after these hearings conclude, a new industry regulation will likely result.
Also see,
New Sheriff at the FCC Will Undo Net Neutrality
Endnotes:
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