[Antoninus II]

First of all, if the Repubs had EXERCISED they're MAJORITY status, they could have prevented the Federalising of the airport screeners. It's the Unionized, liberal, federal workers that give the Dems an advantage. Reagan proved that it's not written in stone when he fired the air traffic controllers, union be damned. IMO national security during wartime trumps "seniority". Transfer the dead wood, obstructionists to a different dept. The State Dept has a critical role. It should be controlled by the Executive Branch. Not cow-towed to!

[jim-x]

I can agree with you on everything except the first two sentences. The screeners should have always been government employees. Probably Coast Guard, in fact, they are charged with securing America's ports of entry. And armed.

The vast majority of federal workers are not unionized. The federal union is worthless and most realize it. It protects the deadbeats. And, although my experience is within the Defense Department, I would say the majority are not Democrats. Perhaps only slightly in favor of republicans but still not liberally inclined, especially in the DoD.