The Biden Administration and its Congressional allies are all for holding businesses accountable for harm inflicted on consumers – even if that harm is simply making a profit. But who is holding government responsible for its actions?
Airlines are in the crosshairs as widespread flight delays and cancellations roiled the holidays last year. They’ve earned the ire of passengers and lawmakers.
As reported, the White House said Monday it’s preparing new rules aimed at requiring airlines to compensate passengers for significant flight delays or cancellations when the carriers are responsible.
“When an airline causes a flight cancellation or delay, passengers should not foot the bill,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a statement.
Well done. But when the president and lawmakers cause fiscal harm to Americans through actions which spur inflation and subsequent interest rate increases, why should we foot the bill?
The Biden Administration’s trillion-plus dollar spending spree helped fuel inflation, with prices rising so high that even wage increases couldn’t keep pace. Americans suffered as food dollars couldn’t stretch far enough. Combined with higher gas and oil prices as the White House kneecapped U.S. energy independence, and the past few years have been an economic nightmare for ordinary Americans.
Where’s the compensation for that?
It’s understandable that a new administration would govern according to the agenda spelled out on the campaign trail – but when policies are having a negative impact on citizens, it’s time to hit the brakes and set a new course.
That’s not happening, and the only significant pushback has come from across the aisle, which gets chalked up to partisan bickering.
If the White House can see widespread flight delays and cancellations as a problem that needs to be owned by the airlines and compensated for, how can responsibility for the price hikes which have upended so many American family budgets be dismissed?
A similar economic disaster looms as President Biden awaits word from the Supreme Court on forgiving student loan debt, a plan he and fellow Democrats view as vital.
Even if the Court votes against it, he could still campaign for student loan forgiveness as he seeks re-election, buoyed by progressives. The Congressional Budget Office found that the plan would cost about $400 billion over the next 30 years, adding to the country’s deficit.
Here’s the train coming in the opposite direction: According to Census data for 2020, fewer than half of working-age Americans have any retirement savings. In the 55- to 64-year-old boomer age group, 58% of Americans own retirement accounts. Without those savings, most retirees count on Social Security.
Adding to the country’s deficit by billions as a wide swath of Americans turn to Social Security is a recipe for disaster.
If and when that happens, how will the government compensate for such poor decision-making? Knowing Capitol Hill, the buck will stop elsewhere.
