Republican and Democrat alike continue to spend recklessly while no one stands up for earmarks and pork barrel spending or demonstrates a commendable example of fiscal prudence. Back in the day America was a production powerhouse. We thought up things, we created things, we exported things all over the world and we grew. Business was good for a lot of people but the wealth went to our heads. Soon the desire was born for a federal backup plan. Insurance for your retirement, for your health, and for your income –among others- became government mandates.
There is an issue that every American should be aware of. It is reckless spending, it is waste and it is inefficiency. Ask yourselves these questions:
Whether you are a republican, democrat, independent, libertarian, fascist, socialist, communist, or any other political affiliation do you believe we could not have created a better system for supplementary retirement income then the current social security system? Do you think we could not have achieved what we have achieved in the past and present and not racked up the massive debt of $12 trillion and counting? Do you think we could not have designed and executed a plan to provide welfare and see better results?
I think it is fair to assume that everyone agrees there is room for improvement in many of these and other programs. Sure we will never get it perfect, but are the elected politicians even trying to give us the most bang for our buck?
The trend in creating government programs goes like this: A nice thought is put into a bill form with a few ideas that jive. It passes and as the years go by the errors and issues become all the more obvious. This is not to say that the plans don’t work -although some fall very short- but they are far from effective or efficient. These programs fail to achieve to the maximum, and added on top of the rest of our budget, pork barrel spending, and government waste we cannot afford it!
We are over 12 trillion dollars in debt! As I am writing this it is at about $12,439,178,152,365 and increasing quickly. Take a minute to let that number sink in. Our total GDP is $14 trillion. That would be about the same as you being in debt as much as your annual income. We need to save money and stop increasing the debt!
Many speak of budget cuts, some with fear others with hope, yet there is little mention of reform. After bipartisan welfare reform during Clinton’s reign, many feared the results would be disastrous. But since 1996 there has been a 57 percent decline in welfare roles as of 2005. However there is still much ground to cover. In 2005 the federal government spent on average $12,892 for every poor man woman and child. This may not sound huge but consider that it includes payouts for children and does not factor in state or local spending. Can we do better still? I think so.
The common mistake in modern problem solving for politicians is to throw more money at it. With welfare and many other systems it is apparent that more money does not equal a better result. The solution is often much more complex and requires careful analysis and bright thinkers independent of political games. Another prime example is public education. In the 2004-2005 term spending per pupil was $9,266. The average yearly tuition for a private school was $3,267 in 2003. Yet private school students consistently outperform those in public schools. It takes 1.5-2.5 years for the average public school student to catch up with their private school counterpart. Is more money really the right solution?
The moral of the story is we need a new outlook on government programs. Just like everyone looks for the best deal on their next car or even the groceries, we need to ensure we are getting the most for our money when it comes to these programs. As the debt reaches even higher levels and the future of many of these programs looks bleak, let’s all look at these programs with a critical eye and demand better results from our elected officials. They are wasting our money!
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Matt,
Just a few items for thought to add my two centavos to your great article.
First is that these programs are created KNOWING that there will be waste. It’s factored in to the original cost. That’s something that has to stop. Additionally the resources for hunting down and stopping fraud against the program are woefully inadequate. And rarely given consideration during the planning. According to their own auditors, Medicare knowingly overpays for almost everything it buys. Examples include:
– $7,215 to rent an oxygen concentrator, when the purchase price is $600.
– $4,018 for a standard wheelchair, while the private sector pays $1,048.
– $1,825 for a hospital bed, compared to an Internet price of $1,071.
– $3,335 for a respiratory pump, versus an advertised price of $1,987.
– $82 for a diabetic supply kit, instead of a $47 price on the Web.
The second problem is the bleeding hearted. ‘Won’t somebody PLEASE think of the ****!!” Fill in the blank, children, elderly, needy, homeless, poor, lower class, minority, physically challenged, left handed, fashion challenged, mentally handicapped, or Democrats. Once that little line is pulled out of the air it’s hard to argue against without being castigated as intolerant, cruel, mean, callous, baby killing, steak eating, male, rich, white, old, etc. Yet when you look at the bigger picture as the liberals like to cry “The Greater Good” some callousness hast to be there in order for it all to jell. It’s a tactic that needs to be countered.
The last problem as I see it is politicians themselves. The longer they are in office the more the temptation to settle into the line at the money trough of government. Look at the back room deals that were made to get the VOTE OF ONE DEMOCRAT. His state would have been exempt from Medicare taxes for 5 YEARS! You want to REALLY CLEAN UP GOVERNMENT? Enact term limits for ALL REPRESENTATIVES as follows.
They can only serve two terms as their state representative in the house or senate. Not consecutively in both. Meaning two years a senator, two years a representative would not be allowed.
They have to take a one term break before being able to run again.
This eliminates career politicians. If you can’t get the work done in two terms then you don’t belong there. (Yes Chuckles Rangel I am looking at you!) If the Representative is such a GREAT person then they should easily be elected again after their forced vacation. This allows for new ideas to come into the fold easier, and for the corruption & greed to be more easily weeded out of Government.
Another great and thoughtful piece. Kudos!
J Byron,
“Altruism may be found privately, rarely corporately and never bureaucratically.” Hallelujah!! Sing it from the mountain kids! This is exactly spot on!
Matt,
All you say makes good common sense, however………
You grant the government good intention, I do not. By giving them the benefit of doubt, you afford them the ability to say, let’s just look ahead and correct our path. Sounds good, but then we learn nothing from the histories.
I believe that safety nets and all most all federal government programs were initiated and developed for the acquisition of power. Greed for power and almost unlimited funds to achieve it. Altruism may be found privately, rarely corporately and never bureaucratically.
There is a giant chess game going on for control. Not for money, but for military and social control. Money is merely a pawn in the game.
The real prize sought is to control as many chess pieces as possible.
Or maybe I’m just feelin a little fickle tonight and I’ll wake up and reconsider my rant tomorrow.