When the humiliating scanners and grope searches were put in place, I believed that the government could be convinced to make changes that would respect human dignity and American rights.

It has become evident that the government from the President on down, have no interest in having a discussion on the issue. They have made it clear that they will not change course.

Their response to the legitimate claims of American citizens have been a rush of public officials and “so called” security experts to explain that this is absolutely necessary and that those who oppose these measures do not understand the dangers. At every point in this series of events, those criticizing the policies have been insulted, marginalized and ridiculed.

I have predicted and I firmly believe that the government’s next step will be to blame people with views like mine of empowering the terrorists.

Based on my observations of what has happened so far, it is now evident that private screening companies are far more amenable to public opinion and criticism than the government of the United States.

The government has taken the position that criticism on this issue is the result of internet activists and paranoid zealots.

I have long been a critic of private industry and the common abuse of citizens by exorbitant fees and other wrong doing.

But the government has indicated through its actions that criticism is not acceptable.

It is as if the government itself were a private corporation acting as if its actions were merely its own concern.

This is wrong.

Destroying this regulatory agency will be an important signal to the government to heed the people of the United States and their legitimate concerns.

I do not believe that this administration has any interest in middle class Americans, their struggles or their concerns.

James Pilant