As the dust settles on the Biden administration, a clearer picture of its wastefulness and ineptitude begins to emerge.
The latest revelation involves the former Transportation Secretary, Pete Buttigieg, who is now under scrutiny for his questionable spending priorities during his tenure. The focus of his spending? Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
According to RedState, Buttigieg, colloquially known as "Pothole Pete," failed to address the pressing need for updating the country's outdated air traffic control systems. Instead, his department reportedly funneled tens of billions of dollars into DEI programs. This information comes from federal spending records and insiders within the airline industry.
The Biden administration's penchant for such spending is hardly surprising. Buttigieg, in particular, seemed to have a vague understanding of his role as Transportation Secretary, much like his previous tenure as mayor of South Bend, Indiana. His focus appeared to be more on promoting DEI initiatives than on addressing the pressing needs of the transportation sector.
Sources reveal that during a meeting with industry executives, Buttigieg, who is rumored to be considering a presidential run in 2028, questioned the need for air traffic control upgrades. He reportedly asked why it would be in his interest to allow more planes to fly.
Instead, his department seemed more invested in distributing DEI grants. Over four years, these grants amounted to more than $80 billion, which is roughly half of the Department of Transportation's typical annual budget.
An official from the air industry noted that Buttigieg showed "little to no interest" in modernizing air traffic control. Instead, he spent his time in President Biden's cabinet blaming airlines for delays and criticizing the industry. He denied that his department's DEI agenda contributed to any staffing shortages in air traffic control or that it was responsible for maintaining an outdated safety system.
This tendency to shift blame rather than take responsibility for system failures is another example of the administration's incompetence. Thankfully, Buttigieg's successor appears to be more competent.
The Biden administration's excessive spending on DEI initiatives raises questions about their value and effectiveness. How have these programs improved government functions at any level? And have they inadvertently sidelined competent individuals in favor of less qualified ones to fulfill a diversity quota?
Despite these concerns, Buttigieg remains popular among Democrats. A recent Emerson College poll of registered voters showed him leading the 2028 Democratic presidential primary field with 16% support, followed by former Vice President Kamala Harris at 13%.
To those national Democrats, one can only say: Please, run Buttigieg for President in 2028. It would indeed be intriguing to see him debate with conservative stalwarts like JD Vance or Ron DeSantis.
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