[KCmark]

Me: I am not willing to give that up in the name of security. I'm surprised by anyone who would.

You: At least you didn't trot out the same tired old Ben Franklin quote that everybody else uses when somebody doesn't pander to anarchy. For that I thank you.
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I came pretty close though. ;-)

I also don't think the highway system is analogous. That is built by the public, for the public. Airlines are capitalistic enterprises and should adhere to the rules of 'if WE don't like it, THEY go out of business.'

And you say:
While there are still wide-open spaces, there are simply too many of us to allow the same laissez-faire attitude that we had at the beginning of our "third rate agricultural experiment." Things will continue to change, I'm afraid, and not necessarily for the better.

I wonder if you will feel the same way when they try to take our guns. All in the name of security, of course.

[strela]

I wonder if you will feel the same way when they try to take our guns. All in the name of security, of course.

A false comparison. An airline openly posting and enforcing its rules does not equal jackbooted thugs kicking down my door and confiscating my firearms. Don't like the rules? Then don't fly.

As for the issue of the airlines receiving money from the government, haven't you heard of that "Crazy Larry" guy on the radio with his commercials? Why, he claims that the government will give you money for working on your invention, taking dance lessons, etc. Guess that means that I need to get that bar code tattoed on my forehead because I received $3.76 in a government check for my gerbil ranch in Montana ... ;)