Is Homeland Security bloated?

[Wetzelbill]

I have a friend who is a Border patrol investigator and press spokesman for his unit and he told me that Homeland Security is bloated. He is a wannabe conservative - calls himself a "conservative democrat"- and utters some of the dumbest statements this side of Sean Hannity,so usually I dismiss most of what he says. I also know that he is friends - or claims to be anyway - with an Arizona Republican Congressman named John Shadegg who is ridiculously anti-government. My friend was adamant in his praise for Shadegg, because the congressman actually tried to reduce the Homeland Security budget this year. Again, this is the first time I ever heard of the Department being bloated and overfunded, but my friend actually works in the field and I don't so I wonder if there is any credence to it at all. He did tell me that "Democrats like to throw money at a problem," which leads me to believe that my pal - who has never had an original thought in his life - is getting duped by his so-called friend in Congress.

Anybody know more about Homeland Security funding and if it is adequate or what?

[Wickerman]

1. What Dens, exactly, would be throwing the money?

We have control, presently, of, uh, lets see, uh, the dog pound in Berkeley? 20 Governorships? Its the repubs spending money, its the Repubs who are supposed to be spending it wisely.

I would say that all that new money finding its way to a new agency like HS would have one hell of a time making it out of the sieve at the top that should channel it to where it is needed. Some areas are bound to be too fat or bloated - I am certain other critical areas, often for political reasons, are starving.

[stellanoir]

2. well think about it. . .

we have two colossally bloated and anitiquated "intellegence" agencies who, due largely to their lack of efficiency, missed the small fact that the U.S.S.R was going broke in the late '80's, Then they preside in their stubbornly Cold War fashion and miss the warning signals of 9/11. These clanking old bureaucratic agencies were not functioning or communicating. So what do we do. . .? Streamline and clean up these agencies. . .? Nooooooo, we create a new one which is wasting more dough than anything else. But don't fear. . .they got Tommy Chong.

Bush has created an increase of national spending by an estimated 27%. While looting Medicare, the treasury , social security, and insisting that trickle down economics work. As the deficits swell we're more concerned about who'll be interning for Donald Trump

Hello. . .is anyone paying attention.

Maybe we would if only we had a "Survivor Falluja". . .

[Columbia]

3. I agree with you...

However, the two "intel" agencies you speak of are not part of DHS. Amazing, the two organizations that failed us the most are not part of the most major reorganization of the government since WWII as the response to that failure.

[finecraft]

4. Local result of the Dept. of Homeland Security

The Sheriff of St. Landry Parish (county) here in Louisiana has gotten some outrageous crap funded by the Dept. of Homeland Security. St. Landry Parish's biggest town is Opelousas (population of Opelousas is 20,000, and the total parish population is around 83,000). Their largest business is the Evangeline Downs Racetrack and Casino. There is no federal or military installation in St. Landry Parish....it is a rural parish that grows sugarcane. The agriculture business is the largest employer. The Sheriff has gotten a 16-person armored personnel carrier.....An Abrams tank....a couple 50-mm machineguns...some rocket and grenade launchers...ceramic plated vests for the deputies, and has just put in a order for a couple armored Hummers for his staff. What are they going to protect that would need this much armor, and who the heck would want to attack St. Landry Parish?????? If crap like this is going on in other small towns, just think of how much money is being waster by this department. It is shameful!!!

[leftofthedial]

5. "homeland security" is a fraud

it doesn't make us any safer.

It is a PR program for the bushgang--nothing more.

One penny spent on it constitutes "bloated."