Still yet further proof——not that any was needed——that government monopoly produces inefficiencies with accompanying higher costs and lower productivity:  A congressional investigation found airport screeners employed by private companies do a better job detecting dangerous objects than government screeners, according to a House member who has seen the classified report.
 
Unfortunately only five airports——in San Francisco, Rochester, NY, Kansas City, Mo and tiny Jackson Hole Wyoming and Tupelo, Mississippi——employ private screeners which does severely limit plane travel for safety addicts. 
 
But if you believe government workers should toil in luxurious surroundings well hey
 
In a separate report issued Tuesday, the inspector general for the Homeland Security Department faulted the Transportation Security Administration for allowing lavish spending on a $19 million crisis management center, including about $500,000 to acquire artwork, silk plants and other decorative and miscellaneous items.
 
There, don't you feel safer already?

Ethel C. Fenig   4 20 05