Why not just mint 17 of them and pay off the national debt??

Don't forget the Oklahoma City bombing, which occurred AFTER explosives were regulated and killed 19 children under the age of 6.

First time I've ever disagreed with Dr. Sowell. A million dollars a year would be a pay CUT for many of these 'flea market' politicians if they had to give up their outside income. If they don't have to give that up, it's just an $850,000 per year raise that they will gladly accept. On the contrary, these positions should pay little or nothing, with no retirement or other benefits. Then we'll find out which of these politicians are there to serve "the public" or serve themselves. If nothing else, it would encourage turnover, something the present system is sadly lacking.

Don't have the 'tools' to measure unemployment? How about this: Do about a 1200 person poll and ask them, "Are you presently employed?" Where did we ever get the notion that using unemployment payments was an accurate way of measuring unemployment?

Why does this article mention ALPA? American's pilots are not represented by ALPA.