Have they ever caught anyone with anything?

Yes, like razors, but no one who was intending to do anything. One could argue that their very presence is a deterrent.

Moronic, jackbooted TSA thugs also take cigarette lighters from folks, and other items like nail polish, and toothpaste tubes that are judged too big, for whatever reason. They probably keep what they steal for themselves, or sell them off and split the money.

They also enjoy appropriating large quantities of cash from travelers, and even checks, which they probably keep as well, employing local paperhangers to forge and pass the checks for them.

Isn't freedom wonderful?

Don't get angry at the TSA, get angry at the ones who put them there.

@ ProfElwood:

You mistake anger for utter contempt, coupled with resignation. Really, what will anger against untouchable legions of elected criminals get anyone?

If you actually think that voting will get rid of such amoral gangsters, think again - they are firmly entrenched, they are determined, from top to bottom, to turn the United States into a jail, and they will lie, cheat, steal or even murder to maintain their stranglehold on power. Those are the glaring facts of the situation - they can get away with anything, and they do, every day. The old commissars of the USSR were more respectable, and they were a pack of murderous bastards with no morals at all.

That said, if you, I, or anyone else get in their way, they will eliminate us, using any means necessary. You know exactly what I mean - by employing character assassination, false charges, or at last resort the old standby - "the big sleep".

The only solution seems to be the obvious - a revolution, and the American people are too fat, lazy and cowardly to even remotely consider that option.

grrr... meant to say I wouldn't trade my liberty and freedom for more government regulations.

@Conway193
There's an order to these things. Peaceful means must always be the first resort, and at this time, there aren't enough people disgusted with the state of politics to achieve either a peaceful or violent revolution. Violence at this stage would only backfire. In fact, people have to be vigilant against staged violence at this time, since faking attacks has become a popular way to attempt to discredit the opposition.

When Great Depression II hits in the next couple of years (months?), then we'll see what truly angry people can accomplish.

@ ProfElwood:

I agree with you in principle, however, I don't think Americans have the ability or the guts to change anything, whether by peaceful means or violence. Most are brainwashed fools who are only interested in the latest ball game, sitcom or Hollywood slut.

Anger accomplishes nothing, cold, determined calculation does.

A lot of people aren't concerned with their own future until they hit the wall. The only group that's hit the wall (as a group) so far are the ones who don't vote anyway. Also, I'm not worried about old guard violence -- it will backfire for them as well.

When I first became a Libertarian, we were getting around 2-3% of the vote in three way races. Around here, we're now getting 10-15% for active candidates and 5-10% for paper candidates. Every election cycle is getting more people to give up their binary thinking and pull the Libertarian (or independent) lever. Last year, I voted (at the local level) for multiple Democrats, Republicans, independents, and Libertarians, which was never even physically possible before.

Don't give up -- the cracks are starting to show in the armor.

I think the tsa gets people used to being treated like sheeple. Tsa has now gone beyond airports violating the 4th admendment all along the way.