Tuesday, May 16, 2006

"Up on an airplane"

So I can't shock you, but maybe the federal government can.

Did you know that when you buy an airplane ticket now, that you pay a tax that is titled the "September 11th security tax" on each ticket?

Yes, yes, I know that non-flyers should not necessarily be responsible for airport security...but can you imagine the irony should a terrorist manage again to hijack an airplane (for any purpose)...knowing all the while that you paid for the privilege of the security failure?

And would it really have allowed the family members of the dead or injured some solace to know that the passengers on the flights that were hijacked had paid taxes to an agency that did not protect their loved ones?

Or should I be outraged at the idea that the airline industry fought this bill, arguing that a $2.50 - $5.00 additional tax would be too much of a burden for the consumer?

Am I too cynical? Or do I just need more sex to get my mind off of such weighty matters?

In other fronts, I've been thinking about immigration lately (damn election year diversionary tactics!), and I've been wondering, what good are borders in an increasingly globalized economy, anyway?

Yeah, you're right, I need more sex.

6 comments:

Flash said...

MORE sex?
Yep, that'd do it!

Jessica said...

I think it's interesting how you're linking sex with distraction from these pressing and frustrating political issues. It reminds me of the East German magazines. In the 1970s, the communist party (a.k.a. government) inserted sex photos into a party magazine because they sensed the stirring of a revolt against the opressive government. A little bit of nudey photos, they reasoned, and the population would be satisfied enough to forget about their political grievances.

From what it seems, you're getting a lot of sex, and still able to feel these frustrations about the political situation. Lesson? Although sex could distract one temporarily it's not enough to weaken our instincts for a politically fucked-up society. (1989 did happen, and the Berlin Wall did fall...)

Another more positive example that you could have sex AND political awareness simultaneously would be the whole "Make love not war" movement in this country in the '60s and '70s. Sexual liberalization went together with political protest... Ahhhh... those were the days!!

have a good day, with lots of sex and politics,
Hammer

Erika said...

The most intriguing part of that post is your inate reaction to the security tax, not believing for one second that it is actually making the air any safer. I'm with you on that, but it is a rather telling cynicism.

And always go for more sex.

Anonymous said...

Thieves will steal from anyone and any excuse will do.

Ethel said...

I'm just glad we haven't been struck with a "Snakes on a Plane" tax.

Yet.

Cody Bones said...

I'm not a big fan of single-use taxes my self. God, I must need sex too.