After the FAA was shuttered almost two weeks ago, federal ticket taxes, to the tune of $200 million per week, were no longer being collected because the FAA's authority expired. Rather than pass on this savings to consumers, airlines instead raised ticket prices to match the previous tax-adjusted price even though a tax of roughly $60 per ticket was no longer being collected.

Some Democrats have called on the airlines to refund the money to consumers, but while appearing on Fox News last night, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Shitkicker) defended the airlines by saying that they're just doing what any good business would do -- rip people off.

CANTOR: And what airlines have done is have stepped in and said, well, if we’re not going to pay that money to the federal government, we’re going to keep it towards our own bottom line. And I guess that’s what business does.

Ripping people off while the Republicans hold the FAA hostage because they want to weaken the collective bargaining rights of airline employees: It's just what business does!

It's no secret that Republicans will use every chance they get to display their appreciation of Corporatism, but this is about as unethical as it gets.

Update... Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D) has reached an agreement for a temporary extension of FAA authority which does not trample union rights.