Does the State Department think we're all criminals?

[nosillies]

This article is an interesting read -- it's about how the passport debacle is going to cost nearly a billion dollars.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20288072/

But the last line is my favorite:

When challenged by Congress, State Department officials said they were surprised so many Americans complied with the new law.

So a law is passed which travelers have to follow if they want to legally re-enter this country, but then officials are surprised that people are actually following the law?

Did they think travelers were all just going to take one-way trips out of the country, never to return?

Or did they think travelers were all just going to sneak in and out of America, perhaps in shipping containers, hot air balloons, etc.?

I'll ask for the millionth time...who are these idiots in charge of our country?

[BOSSHOG]

1. Christians with conservative values (to answer your question)

[TechBear_Seattle]

2. I think what the State Department *really* means is...

"We are surprised that so many Americans obediently did as told and did not kick up a fuss. And now that we know we can push the envelope this far, it is back to the drawing board to decide how we can push it further."

[nosillies]

3. That's scary, but you're probably right

I did imagine this scenario:

"We've heard people grumble for the past seven years that they're going to leave this stupid country and never come back, and we just thought they were serious. Perhaps they feel there's real hope for a change in 2008 and they've just decided to stick it out."

[tanyev]

4. No one could have anticipated that so many Americans travel outside the country.

[Solo_in_MD]

5. I read that as a reference to typical "up the system" anarchist streak that runs deep in Americans

Which is in many ways a good thing. The state and its bureaucrats rarely know best in the eyes of Americians. That often means a less docile electorate. The exception is war and terror.

Dems are associated with a nanny state mentaility. The Repukes have got the war and terror gigs down tight.