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RedStaters know I’ve written before about Rep. Bill Shuster’s supposed air traffic control privatization scheme that Heritage has called out involving quite a few union giveaways (which is, incidentally, why the air traffic controllers’ union is just fine with it).
In the weeks since Trump’s win, the Shuster plan seems to have been given a boost, first by Shirley Ybarra being part of the transition and then by the nomination of Elaine Chao as Secretary of Transportation. As a reminder, Ybarra, generally in favor of public-private partnerships, called the system that would be instituted by the Shuster plan “corporatized” (as opposed to “privatized”). And Chao is generally seen as a pretty pro-private sector voice in public policy, too.
But there is a problem. There’s a hurdle that comes with Chao’s appointment when it comes to Shuster’s proposal. The former Labor Secretary doesn’t exactly have a reputation as being a friend to Big Labor, unlike Shuster who was supported by unions in his re-election bid against a Tea Party insurgent. So, to the extent she’s on board with privatization, it’s probably going to have to look pretty different from what Shuster is proposing in order to measure up for her.
Here are some of the things that Chao did as Labor Secretary that all of us probably think are awesome, but that hint at why she might not support a “reform” that involves giving a big union— the one taken head on by Ronald Reagan, no less— exactly what they want on an array of items.
It would be great if Chao’s appointment, plus Republican majorities in both chambers of Congress, could be used to push FAA reform in a legitimately conservative, as opposed to cronyist, direction. It’s a challenge Republicans are facing across the board, and the President-elect isn’t setting a great example. But we must continue to advocate for what is good and smart, not what is popular or populist or Trumpist.
The post Elaine Chao’s Nomination Might be a Big Problem for One Big Trumper. Here’s How… appeared first on RedState.