But short term results need to be seen, even if they're just totally fabricated and superficial.
The disadvantage to a bipartisan government is that the main political agenda turns into staying in office. Nobody's interested in passing bills and laws that will only take effect after their administration has come and gone. It's pretty simple to see in "the war on drugs." We make a big deal when there's a drug bust.
So, we go after the dealers. What's done is very visual, concrete. The public can SEE results, however ineffectual they are. Nobody in the current administration is interested in majorly investing an investigation into the real problem: Why so many damn drugs are being used, why people feel that they need them, etc. This is a much more subtle approach, one that takes time. The only problem is, nobody wants to do it if everyone's covering their own asses first and foremost.
Anyway, my point is, as ineffectual as these security measures are, they're being done for a reason, not necessarily with the public's safety in mind. They're well aware that anyone with the intent and resources to do something like bomb an airport or some other terrorist act will have a good chance of pulling it off.
