Since the Sept. 11 attacks, President George W. Bush has been prompting Americans to support homeland security, and he has introduced a $37.7 billion homeland defense budget proposal to help protect our nation from potential acts of terrorism. This figure is up from the $19.5 billion spent in 2001. Although it is admirable for Bush to be so dedicated to protecting the United States, his proposal wastes money that could be used to fix the government’s internal security problems.
The Office of Homeland Security’s mission — to protect the country from terrorist threats or attacks — is practically impossible to fulfill. Regardless of most of the security steps we’re taking, determined terrorists will still find avenues to penetrate our country. Timothy McVeigh’s bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City showed that some American citizens are capable of domestic terrorism as well.
America has created a plethora of government agencies whose duty it is to protect Americans from all forms of harm. If these agencies weren’t spread thin financially in the first place, Bush wouldn’t need to increase the domestic security budget. He wants to bump up spending on bioterrorism research, border protection and police and fire departments to help prevent acts of terrorism.
To his credit, Bush has proposed that $3.5 billion be appropriated to help “first responders” such as firefighters, police and rescue squads. But he is also asking for $10.6 billion to bulk up security at the nation’s borders. While border protection is important, a better use of the allocation would be the reinforcement of local emergency response teams. If and when terrorists do infiltrate the country again, everyone at the local level should be prepared. Basic emergency equipment should be working, and local fire and police stations need to have the resources to protect Americans in the same manner Bush demands.
The National Guard, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Federal Aviation Administration, National Security Administration and local law enforcement agencies should be capable enough to handle national emergencies without continuing to fund and operate the Office of Homeland Security. The Bush administration has been pumping emergency funds into this agency for months to help “protect the nation,” but there have still been a number of high-profile security breaches.
Airport security is one of the areas where security failures are most noticeable. Airports are continually being shut down because of faulty security equipment, causing delays and frustration for travelers and airport staff alike. After all of the rhetoric surrounding the decision to make airport security workers federal employees, improvement in security is coming slowly.
The Bush administration should do all it can to help protect the nation from any further terrorist attacks. However, Bush’s $37.7 billion homeland defense proposal would be allocated to the wrong cause if passed. We need to invest in the agencies that already exist instead of operating them on a shoestring. Protecting the nation against terrorism means funneling money to pre-existing agencies at the local and national level, not developing new security measures.