The American Spectator

home
ADVERTISEMENT
The Nation's Pulse
Print Email
Text Size

The Nation's Pulse

Expensive Ineptitude

By on 12.21.10 @ 6:07AM

There’s just no getting through to Washington.

“Washington, D.C.’s workers enjoy the highest salaries of any U.S. city, with a median household income of $85,198,” recently reported CNNMoney.

It’s even higher for the federal workers segment of the city’s workers, with an average wage last year for federal civilian workers of $81,258 per person (per person, not per household). That’s over $30,000 more than last year’s average private-sector wage. Add the cost of benefits and pensions and the average compensation gap between federal and private-sector workers jumps to nearly $62,000 per year — $123,049 vs. $61,051.

That doesn’t mean they work the hardest or that they’re twice as smart.

Try phoning any of the major federal agencies in D.C. and see how long it takes for someone to pick up the phone, or how long it takes to get the right person in the right department who still can’t provide a dime’s worth of help.

I got a letter last June from the main Social Security office asking me to clarify something about my automatically deducted contributions at work. They requested that I call an 800 number in Washington.

Knowing how things work — or don’t work — in D.C., I ordered a Greek salad with feta, red wine and a turkey club on pita and took a seat on the restaurant’s patio with my Wall Street Journal and the morning’s local newspaper before I dialed the 800 number.

The phone began ringing in D.C. at five minutes past the hour. My lunch order was delivered to the table after 10 minutes or so and I had finished my salad, sandwich, wine and two newspapers in about another 20 minutes and the phone was still ringing at the designated office of the central planners.

Taking a chance on losing my spot in the phone queue, I left my connected phone on the patio table and went inside the restaurant to order another wine and to find something more to read.

The phone was still ringing when I got back to my table. Curious to see how much longer it would take for someone to pick up, I stayed on the line.

It was 47 minutes when she finally picked up. I thought it sounded like she was in Bangladesh.

I didn’t say anything about the wait. If I complained, I thought they’d just hire even more people and raise my taxes, or borrow even more money from Beijing. We’re already being forced to turn over nearly 20 cents out of every dollar we earn, coast to coast, from New York to Los Angeles, into this 68 square mile area that’s the District of Columbia — and that’s not counting the money that’s extracted from our wallets to pay the price of ever-expanding federal regulations and mandates, and not counting the various tax bites at the state, city, county and local levels.

I got only a few seconds into telling her what was in the letter from the Social Security office when she told me I had the wrong phone number. I explained that her phone number was in the letter but she said she didn’t know anything, didn’t have a clue, and that I should make a visit to my local Social Security office at such-and-such address. I told her that the office closed 10 years ago.

I thanked her, hung up the phone, gave up, and realized again why we haven’t really won a war since the 1940s — unless you count Grenada, code-named Operation Urgent Fury, but that just lasted 37 hours.

About the Author

Ralph R. Reiland is the B. Kenneth Simon professor of free enterprise and an associate professor of economics at Robert Morris University in Pittsburgh.

Letter to the Editor View all comments (127) |

Appleby| 12.21.10 @ 6:38AM

George Carlin once observed that during snow emergencies in DC, the word goes out that *All non-essential personnel* should stay home. His suggestion was that we find out who stayed home and fire them all. *If they are non-essential,* he said, *why are they there at all?*

Paul D| 12.21.10 @ 9:19AM

Wow! That's it! We could balance the budget in a week if we did that!

Purpleguy| 12.21.10 @ 10:40AM

Did he mean himself too? In fact, 90% of us are non-essentials. They meant first responders and such, not really that non-essentials are useless people.
Are any of you "essential" to your work? The company will break down without you? If not, should you be fired too?

Bruce Berger| 12.21.10 @ 10:52AM

Except businesses fail if they have too many non-essentials. Governments, not so much.

Publius| 12.21.10 @ 11:50PM

Yeah, Purpleguy's comment is dense; if a commercial enterprise employs too many non-essential people, it goes out of business. When government employees hundred of thousands of non-essential people, we lose liberty. What's difficult to understand, Purpleguy?

Alan Brooks| 12.21.10 @ 1:26PM

And which family did more to bloat the Fed?
a) the Kennedys
b) the Clintons
c) the Bushes

Take a guess.

c. j. acworth| 12.21.10 @ 6:32PM

Who cares which family did more to bloat the fed. The question we need to answer is what will it take to cut it down to size? Say about 1/3 the size it is now.

Alan Brooks| 12.21.10 @ 8:30PM

The Jeffersons.

Think about it.

RD| 12.21.10 @ 8:37PM

Al, add LBJ (and his $ 7 trillion Great Society Program) as d), then change your answer key.

Publius| 12.21.10 @ 11:51PM

Easy - the Kennedy family did, no question. But what's the point, Alan?

Connie| 12.22.10 @ 10:10AM

Recently my sister-in-law lost her sister to cancer. Her sister was retired from the Federal government and was receiving a monthly retirement benefit. When my sister-in-law finally got someone to answer the phone after several frustrating tries, she was told that paper work would arrive in 4-6 weeks for her to complete to stop the monthly benefit check. Lo and behold, the paperwork did arrive 6 weeks later. When she took the paperwork to the estate attorney, she was told that was only the first set of paperwork that had to be completed!!! I can hardly wait for the Government to take over health care along with everything else that Obama has his heart set on!! My Canadians friends wonder what we have gotten ourselves into?!! They have lived this "government" knows best!!

roadmaster| 12.21.10 @ 7:23AM

The entire bureaucracy is purposely designed to be incompetent, inefficient and unresponsive - to the people who pay for it, US! They are in the business of sucking up as many tax dollars as possible, and distributing it amongst themselves. Entitlement programs are not for the benefit of the needy, but are vehicles of power and employment for millions of apparatchiks.
Mostly out of curiosity, my wife applied for Obama's home refinancing program. After two full days of filling out endless forms, talking to dozens of know-nothings and jumping through a never ending series of hoops, she concluded the program is designed NOT to help anyone. Later the statistics bore her out - only 3% of applicants were approved.
The greatest enemy we face today, just above Islamofacists, is our own gubbermint.

Melvin| 12.21.10 @ 7:37AM

Only 3% were approved. Hmm. I wonder what it cost the taxpayer to fund the worthless program? It appears that many if not all of these, "Help the little guy programs," were nothing more than elaborate schemes by the Democrats, and even could be said for the Republicans to funnel and launder funding to be used to not where it was intended or being funneled to special interest groups who also launder this funding to be given back to the politicians as clean campaign funding or for personal use.
Congressman Rangel or Congresswoman Waters would be more able to explain the money laundering system that exists in tax payer funded schemes.

The Big Kahuna| 12.21.10 @ 7:57AM

Thsml G*d they are so inefficient and inept. Just think of the consequences if government were even close to 50% efficienrt???

The Big Kahuna| 12.21.10 @ 8:02AM

Thank G*D I dont have spell check or I would be 100 % efficient.

Paul D| 12.21.10 @ 9:22AM

Actually, "efficiency" is not want you want in government. If the government were "efficient," it would shut the whole country down.

Purpleguy| 12.21.10 @ 10:46AM

Last I looked, the Armed Forces of the United States were the "Government"... Are you suggesting they are inept and inefficient? They make up more than 1/2 the government's payroll.
But, we don't mind paying to train them to the be the best - do we? A little hypocrisy going on here, railing against those who's job you don't want to invest in or pay for.
In any job - If you don't pay them to do the job you expect, how can you criticize them when they don't deliver what you expect. It's stupid.

solipslip| 12.21.10 @ 12:17PM

what a useless waste of what little grey matter you posses. the military is a primary obligation of the US Federal Gvt - protect the people, protect their rights.

What a maroon! - B. Bunny

Purpleguy| 12.21.10 @ 1:44PM

I see, so you see no use for the FBI, the CIA or the NSA either, as the primary obligation of the US Federal Government?
If you actually read the US Constitution, you would know that the Federal Government is imbued with obligations, responsibilities and authorities that go far beyond only protecting the people or their rights. "... Establish Justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty ..."
Does that ring a bell?
You really should read the Constitution ... it's quite enlightening.

GavInTucson| 12.21.10 @ 10:57PM

Yes, it's called the preamble to the Constitution, which has nothing to do with the enumerated powers laid out thereafter. Thanks for playing.

The preamble basically says "this is what the government wants to do" and the enumerated powers are "what the government can do to do it."

Ol Will| 12.21.10 @ 6:12PM

Gosh, purpleguy, when we were operating off the coast of Vietnam under the genius Robert (More Bang for the Buck) McNamara, and his "Whiz Kids", we couldn't get a sufficient supply of toilet paper to supply the needs of the ship.

I'd call that inept.

Purpleguy| 12.21.10 @ 8:39PM

Wow, what reach back into the 60's to find government ineptness ... that's fascinating - surely you've seen more since then. Government and Non-government are just people folks - they make mistakes. Just like American cars have every bit of quality as Japanese cars do today - or more so in Toyota's case - the unresponsive bureaucrat is not the same as those of yesteryear - they are more efficient, responsive and not inept as you remember from 40 years ago.

But you won't let them change will you -

GavInTucson| 12.21.10 @ 11:00PM

I'd say a 47 minute ringing phone, and incorrect agency phone number on government letterhead, and referring a person to an office that hasn't existed in 10 years is pretty inept.

Publius| 12.22.10 @ 12:01AM

Wow, purpleguy, wrong on virtually every point.
The DoD budget is NOT more than half of the Federal budget. In fact, for 2009, it wasn't even as large as the "stimulus."

As far as the U.S. military being efficient, it depends on how you define it. Efficient compared to what? On what the taxpayers get out of an E-3 working the flight deck? Absolutely. In terms of what the taxpayer got for the F-22 development or DDX? Not at all.

And don't try that "how would you know" argument: 23 years and counting in the U.S. Navy here. How about you?

Purpleguy| 12.21.10 @ 10:50AM

Did we forget Tom Delay and Jack Abramoff, Duke Cunningham and the other Republican thieves that were thrown out of Congress and many into jail for bribery, money laundering and other criminal acts?

I could be mistaken, but which of the Democrats is sitting in jail now for those criminal charges? Hmmm?

Purple Lips| 12.21.10 @ 11:20AM

Charles Rangle did much worse than any of the three you mentioned. And he ran the House Ways and Means Committee, as well as set our tax codes (which he broke with impunity). He is a free man.

As are other Dems who committed felonies:

The late Jack Murtha, Treasury Sec Geithner, Christopher Dodd, Terry McCauliffe (an old Clinton friend and DNC executive), and Tom Daschle. The last time I checked they were all free. Of course, no one can top Bernie Madoff. That old liberal investor, committed the ultimate sin. He took advantage of liberals, and seperated them from thier money.

Purpleguy| 12.21.10 @ 1:36PM

Let's stick to elected officials, shall we? None of the ELECTED Democratic officials you mentioned were put behind bars. Not so, on the Republican side. They break the law, just as the obfuscate the truth.

Bernie Madoff ? Ha! Don't make me laugh.
http://www.freerepublic.com/fo.....9423/posts does say he gave contributions to Democrats ... $400,000 over 10 years ... from a 50 Billion fortune? That's peanuts. What we haven't uncovered is any contributions to Republicans, but no matter.

Publius| 12.22.10 @ 12:09AM

OK, how about: Melvin Reynolds, Jim Trafficant, Dan Rostenkowski, Kwame Kilpatrick and William Jefferson?

Ok, not all in jail and one has been pardoned but then those you listed are not all in jail either.

Alan Brooks| 12.21.10 @ 1:28PM

...if you guessed 'c',
you guessed correctly.

Purpleguy| 12.21.10 @ 2:04PM

Hahaha - The dittoheads are just in denial ....

Alan Brooks| 12.21.10 @ 5:22PM

Yes, and they feel guilt, too. My conscience is clear, and I think yours is as well. Did we vote for incompetent politicians. Did we vote for Dole and Dubya, Nixon and McCain?

dave| 12.21.10 @ 6:49PM

Purpleguy and Brooks,
You guys are a riot. Now I realize how all the stupid idiots who vote Democratic live with themselves. You just spend time with the other idiots backslapping each other and never look at the real world.

Purpleguy| 12.21.10 @ 8:42PM

Isn't that like the POT calling the Kettle BLACK? Have you ever really paid attention to the mutual admiration society here that echos Fixed Noise and Rush Loudmouth as if they were actually factual? Please ... go learn something and stop the name calling - it only shows low intelligence and reflects poorly on others here who are not.

Publius| 12.22.10 @ 12:10AM

dittoheads in denial, maybe, but also soon to be in power in the House and much more influential in the Senate.

Laugh away!

mwinkey.com | 12.21.10 @ 7:29AM

Our Store mainly engaged in sales of Windows and Office product key. All products are fully authorized by Microsoft directly. Mwinkey'Store will provide the full range of products. Buy our products you will enjoy the cheap prices and professional service.you can find our store with follow keywords.

JAWilson| 12.21.10 @ 7:47AM

I endured a call to the IRS as directed by the form that was demanding money. That call was with a BWA and entirely unpleasant. Same ending as Ralph's too.

David Carr| 12.21.10 @ 10:12AM

BWA?

Ol Will| 12.21.10 @ 6:20PM

Take your pick.
http://www.acronymfinder.com/BWA.html

Deborah D | 12.21.10 @ 8:19AM

It's truly getting difficult not to get depressed. The libs have succeeded in turning our country into a lesser version of the inefficient Soviet Union. I can hardly wait until Obama becomes dictator -- um, with the FCC vote coming today, perhaps we're already there.

Purpleguy| 12.21.10 @ 9:09AM

Hmmm, since we've had a Republican President 20 out of the last 30 years, and the President is in charge of the executive branch (bureaucracy), I think you can put the mantle of inefficiency around their necks, don't you? Add the Department of Hopeless Security, the Medicare Drug Benefit and the TSA from Dubya's watch, and you can hardly blame the Dems for the bureaucracy which has been wrought by conservatives.

Bruce Berger| 12.21.10 @ 10:55AM

But yet, in your other posts, you seem to defend the bureaucracy. Who is the hyprocrite now?

Purpleguy| 12.21.10 @ 11:13AM

Defending the workers, yes. Any issues with Business, Corporate or Government delivery of services is the result of the management not providing that which creates good service, which in the case of the Federal Bureaucracy, is in the hands of the President. As I stated earlier, has been in Republican/Conservative hands for most of the last 50 years.

Bruce Berger| 12.21.10 @ 11:25AM

Well, I guess you could say that the management has been in the hands of Repubs for "most" of the last 50 years. Let's see. The Repubs have been in power (White House) for 56% of the time, while Dems have been 44% of the time. I don't view that as a big discrepancy, but perhaps you do. Even granting that, it seems safe to say that the Dems haven't done a great job in management with their 44% allocation.

Purpleguy| 12.21.10 @ 2:03PM

By my reckoning, if you go back to Eisenhower, which is 58 years, 62% of the time R's were in power, and 38% were D's in power.
Au contraire, when the D's had power for 20 straight years, (FDR and Truman) right before Eisenhower's time, we got Social Security, the Air Force, the CIA, the NSA, the AEC, the SEC, the TVA, the Wagner Act, defeated the Axis powers, turned this country into the "Arsenal of Democracy" and back again, the FDIC, Glass-Steagall Act, reversed Prohibition, the Truman Doctrine, the Marshall Plan, Armed Forces desegregation, the United Nations ... and much, much more...

Hardly a bad job in managing and organizing our way out of the Depression and WWII and the Cold War beginnings. On the other hand, GW couldn't manage a simple invasion of the Flintstones (Iraq) and it's aftermath, nor could he manage an oh so predicted Hurricane Katrina disaster, nor could he catch a 6'5 Islamic ahole in 8 years. His father I must give Kudos for the 1st Persian Gulf war conductance, but Reagan really botched our country with his "Government is the problem" motto and started us on the path that we are living with today - Not enough government caused our latest economic woes.

Bruce Berger| 12.21.10 @ 2:13PM

Yes, it is your reckoning and it is nonsense.

Purpleguy| 12.21.10 @ 2:41PM

Whoops - can't argue, can you when you're wrong ... so dismiss it as nonsense ... excellent way to lose your argument. It's simple math as you say.
It's okay, no need to pout.

Bruce Berger| 12.21.10 @ 2:58PM

No, the reason I didn't respond is that your arguments were nonsense and therefore not worthy of response.

But just to point out how wrong you are, while hopefully not wasting too much of my time, I will hit the highlights. By my reckoning all of the original sins of big Government have happened on the Dems' watch.

1. Social Security should/could have been designed like a real pension system. Instead FDR made the political decision to make it pay-as-you-go (aka Ponzi) so that "no one would ever take my Social Security away". It started the whole entitlement concept of taxing people a dollar to promise someone else two dollars, which in turn has led to unfunded entitlements way beyond what we can afford.

2. Imposed price/wage controls after WWII, which led to the tethering of healthcare to employment, which was later made worse by making healthcare purchases by companies tax-deductible. The healthcare market has suffered greatly from this distortion ever since.

3. Medicare - The Big Kahuna. After adjusting for senior population growth and medical care inflation, Medicare is over TEN times as costly as originally budgeted by your competent geniuses in the Democratic party. Medicare is the item that will swamp every other item over the next 50-100 years and it was your team that gave it to us. Thank you very much.

By the way, if Bin Laden were easy to catch and/ or a competent commander-in-chief could have caught him then he would have been captured in the last two years. So either he is difficult to catch and/or Obama is incompetent. I'll let you decide which narrative you prefer.

In your own mind you get to decide history. That is fine. It is a free country. Don't let the fact that you are wrong dissuade you. Most of all, don't pout.

Negro X| 12.21.10 @ 6:39PM

pg,
You are a complete moron, spending your way to finanical success are you? Big fan of Zinn it seems.

Purpleguy| 12.21.10 @ 8:45PM

Another brain trust heard from - no argument, just name calling - what? are you high school? Do you know anything at all? Be gone, and let the grown-ups debate ...

Purple Lips| 12.21.10 @ 11:21AM

I would say niether of the Bushes were conservative. And Reagan actually fired PATCO, slowed the growth of the federal government.

Purpleguy| 12.21.10 @ 2:42PM

Do you mean imply they are not conservative enough? Are you Libertarian? Reagan slowed the growth? Really? Go check again, pal.

Deborah D | 12.21.10 @ 2:52PM

Who created the bureaucracy? Who unionized the bureaucracy? Who loves unions? Who created the Dept. of Education -- that has ruined education in the country -- basically dumbing down your average government worker? Who created the Energy Dept. that has made us dependent on foreign countries for our fuel? Who hates the country enough to put our own energy supplies out of reach to us? Those green/reds -- also known as Democrats. Who created the Ponzi Scheme known as Social Security? Who created the messes we now have known as Medicare and Medicaid? There is much more. Who created the welfare state? Who wants Americans dependent on the government? Who thinks government is the end-all be-all? A lot of Democrats have made this country what it is today -- a POS. Just look at the 111th Congress for their current destruction.

Purpleguy| 12.21.10 @ 10:05PM

Wow - "A lot of Democrats have made this country what it is today -- a POS. " I thought conservatives love their country - sure doesn't sound like you do.
Let's examine some of your so-called issues that make the country a POS. Like Unions...

"Congress enacted the National Labor Relations Act ("NLRA") in 1935 to protect the rights of employees and employers, to encourage collective bargaining, and to curtail certain private sector labor and management practices, which can harm the general welfare of workers, businesses and the U.S. economy."

Did you know you owe your paid vacation to unions? Your employer provided health insurance ? Did you know you know there is a minimum wage because of unions?
Union Values:
To improve lives. Social justice. Dignity. Just and humane. Security. People in unions believe things like: Solidarity: Stick together. Protect jobs. We're in this together. Good wages and good benefits for any of us help all of us. And this means workers and businesses together. Seriously, working people take pride in what they do, and like every else they want the organizations they are part of to succeed. In the case of businesses of course the interests of working people are that their companies do well because then they do well. Everyone is happiest when there is harmony and good times are shared.

These are values that so many of us agree with. When these values were more widespread our economy was functions in a better way. The middle class was strong, and gains year after year. But in recent decades we have seen a Wall Street/big-corporate/conservative campaign of propaganda against these values. We hear praise for the wealthy CEO cult and the largest monopolistic corporations, and are confronted by an attitude that all of us should serve the interests of the entitled wealthiest, as if we exist at their behest. For them it is about getting as much money and power as they can, for themselves and only for themselves. We hear about how a few "top performers" deserve vast fortunes. We hear, "Greed is good," "The market should decide." We hear divisive class-warfare, like, "Rich people create jobs" and, "Did you ever get a job from a poor person?" We hear that if we dare tax them to pay for the infrastructure that enables their prosperity they will pack up their companies and take their jobs with them. These slogans come from a different kind of business interest -- the Wall Streeters and monopolistic giant corporations who want everything for themselves and to leave the mess behind for the rest of us.

The result of the conservative-values approach is that a very few at the top do better and better while the rest of us -- including most of the businesses in the country -- find it harder and harder to just get by. Jobs and factories are shifted out of the country - beyond the protections of our business, labor and environmental laws and regulatory protections. Local and regional businesses are knocked out or swallowed up. As a result of this shift toward Wall Street values today's workplace is characterized by increasing working hours or just workload, high stress, fear of layoffs, low or reduced wages, jobs sent overseas, loss of health care, loss of pensions and a general loss of dignity and security.

How is this shift away from labor's values -- working America and small/medium business' values -- to Wall Street/ Wal-Mart values working out for all of us? Think about it, please...

Deborah D | 12.22.10 @ 6:05AM

"To improve lives. Social justice. Dignity. Just and humane. Security. People in unions believe things like: Solidarity: Stick together. Protect jobs. We're in this together. Good wages and good benefits for any of us help all of us. And this means workers and businesses together. "

Social Justice -- another name for Communism. This is not a communist country, yet! Although that's what you and the rest of the Purple (SEIU?) people want for it. You don't address education, because you can't. It's all about power for the unions -- dumbing down the children of this country has been the greatest threat to this country (making it in the process of becoming a POS--and it will get there sooner with your likes in charge.) There was a time when unions served a purpose -- now they serve themselves and screw the country that allows them. Parasites sucking the blood out of taxpayers, state governments, union employees and the companies that try to stay afloat. You're not convincing anyone with your oh so pious -- "we're all about the little guy" ... You're all about the climbing over the little guy to get what you want -- socialism which leads to communism.

Political correctness, multiculturalism, anti-Americanism, unionism -- all the same thing...inroads to communism. Spout away -- I don't listen to communists.

Louis Jenkins| 12.21.10 @ 8:25AM

The bottm line is that the District of Criminals has become so large that the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is up to. We created a leviathan, or allowed it to be created under our very noses. America has slept while this was going on, and now we're paying the price. We can only expect it to get bigger, unless we're willing to say ENOUGH! I suspect Mr. Reiland to have more phone calls of this nature.

Kris Lepine| 12.21.10 @ 9:13AM

This is so sad it's almost funny. I have had the same experience with different agencies. In fact, the IRS called us recently to tell us we'd over paid our taxes by $1.00 and are sending it back.

Here's what I find really funny. Supposedly really smart, rich people, like Bill Gates and Warren Buffet want to give "the government" more of their money. And what does our government do when it gets more money? It spends it! Anyone out there have statistics on how much is wasted? I would hazzard a guess that's it's way above 50%. What type of highly educated, successful person would do that? Only one answer to that question: A liberal who has replaced God and common sense with big, bigger, biggest Government.

Purpleguy| 12.21.10 @ 9:23AM

It's hilarious how you complain on one hand about poor service and then on the other that you would have to pay more for the service if you complained about wanting good service. Which is your major problem? Like all conservatives you want what you want when you want it, but you don't want to pay for it. You prefer to sit and have breakfast, lolling around waiting for your call to go through, at your leisure, and then complain when you are too lazy to go to the local Social Security Office and - wait for it - OMG, YOU would have to stand in line and wait your turn. You couldn't do that! How degrading mingling with all those people!

Moreover, since Republicans have been in charge of the Federal Bureaucracy in 36 of the last 58 years, and 20 of the last 30 years, look to them to understand what you don't like about the Federal Bureaucracy. They like to have power, but they don't know how to govern, because they don't like government, remember?

Next time you don't like your service from a Federal, State or Local Government, remember to write you Congressman, Senator, State Legislator, Governor, President and tell them you'd rather have good service and pay a little more than have lousy service and save a buck. Otherwise, shut your mouth and put up with what you get.

Paul D| 12.21.10 @ 9:35AM

Away with your lame strawman argument! Who the hell says we conservatives want these government services? Here is a short list of government services/institutions I could do without:

The Department of Labor
HUD
OSHA
The Department of Education
EPA
DHS
The Department of Energy
The Department of Agriculture

I'm sure I could come up with a few more if I put in a few more seconds to dwell on it....

Purpleguy| 12.21.10 @ 10:17AM

Interestingly, 5 of the 8 agencies you list as those you could do without were created under REPUBLICAN Presidents!
Nice talking points and GOP gospel. Do you even know what any of these departments do for you and what you would do without, if they weren't there? It is possible you NEVER use or benefit from any of these agencies' services, but I doubt it.

You're just out here parroting what the conservative party line is, being a good little Bundist minion, without any thought of the consequences.

Paul D| 12.21.10 @ 11:11AM

I am not a "REPUBLICAN", I am a conservative. I am also a licensed attorney and know exactly what these agencies do as I have studied them and live and work in the Washington, DC area. They are of absolutely no use to me and the case can be made they do me more harm than good as an American citizen and taxpayer.

The logical fallacies you create by making false assumptions are quite numerous.

Purpleguy| 12.21.10 @ 11:21AM

I'm sure, as an attorney, your daily travails dealing with a government you mean to extract something from is frustrating. But unless you can categorically list all of the functions/services that an agency provides and provide evidence of why YOU above all people can do without them, complaining about paperwork or the treatment you've been given at the hands of the bureaucracy is just whining. Poor Paul, his day is so frustrating having to deal with all those bureaucrats who just won't treat him the way he wants to be treated.
You do know how most people feel about lawyers, don't you? Do you think THAT is fair?

And, you do realize that you probably have a job because of all the bureaucrats and regulations that attempt to ameliorate our daily lives, but that also cause litigation? It's not nice to bite the hand that feeds you ...

Purple Lips| 12.21.10 @ 11:27AM

Nope. I bet he would actually enjoy life better drawing up contracts (state laws), estates (without the Death Tax, he would only deal with state laws), adoptions (state laws), bankruptices (again, without the federal regs, his job would be easier), and zoning laws. He could actually be home at night, and weekends. He would have more clients (federal court fees are upwards of $750/hour), and actually enjoy his work.

Your cynical point is that liberals have stacked the deck to thier benefit and it is hypocrtical to dissent. Everyone is on the federal dole in your opinion. And thus, we should all bow down and thank our Beltway overlords.

Sorry to break the news, but the gig is up. We are more than broke. The Gravy Train has left the station and it ain't coming back.

Paul D| 12.21.10 @ 11:29AM

Purpleguy,

Once again you are undone by your assumptions. I said I was a licensed attorney. I did not say I practiced as one. I did not tell you what I do for a living.

BTW, I also love lawyer jokes.

Purpleguy| 12.21.10 @ 2:17PM

When someone specifically calls himself out as a "licensed attorney" and how much you deal with the D.C. bureaucracy, what did u think would be implied?
So, pray tell, what extreme value does our limited education system beget from educating you to become a licensed attorney who doesn't practice law? Did you not take the place of someone who really wanted to be a lawyer? Did you ride on the public funds through school or did daddy pay your way? Personally, I don't care what you do for a living, but you allude to your legal dealings with D.C.

Ol Guy| 12.21.10 @ 6:35PM

Purpleguy, daddy paying your way is one of the legitimate ways to finance an education. Some fathers even consider it a privilege and some children are actually grateful for the blessing of such a demonstration of love. You try to make it sound shameful.

Feral Gov't involvement in financing someone's education is not Constitutional. Education at the unconstitutional expense of others is what's shameful.

Purpleguy| 12.21.10 @ 10:33PM

You completely missed the point that we have a licensed attorney who doesn't practice law. Did he not take some deserving person's place that would actually serve society as a practicing attorney. Who pays for his education is a side issue, but taking a valued spot from another is the main issue here.

And, sorry to say, but it isn't up to you or anyone else here to say what is constitutional or not. But conservative ranks are filled with armchair Supreme Court Justices I see.

Education of any helps all, by promoting the "general welfare" , so you are so wrong that financing of education is not constitutional, but as I said, it's not up to me to determine. The Courts have already spoken, and you lose.
BTW - is it okay for the State or County to take taxes from you to help someone else's children in grade and high school? Is it? Selfish attitudes abound .. it's my tax money and I want it - whiny cry babies. Pay your fair share and stop moaning - as if you don't benefit from the government - at all levels.

Paul D| 12.21.10 @ 7:30PM

Purpleguy,

Yes, I'll admit I was not clear, and that you could assume I was practicing law. But many attorneys work in other fields. Why, some even become community activists!

I paid my way throught law school with assistance from my father. Many of my friends used government loans. Some used the loans to buy sports cars (the interest rate was lower). It took the "efficient" government a few years to catch on to that scam before they shut it down.

Purpleguy| 12.21.10 @ 10:39PM

So by your reckoning, because some soldiers in Iraq committed heinous deeds, then all military should be locked up? Because some Congressmen step on the wrong side of the law - they're all bad? And, now there were some bad apples that scammed the student loan system - all students should be denied access to loans? And, this coming from a self-confessed "Daddy paid my way" ?

While I don't decry your father's ability to pay your way through school, isn't it a much more conservative principle to be an individual, making it on your own steam, beholden to no one?

solidground| 12.21.10 @ 9:41AM

So, listening to a phone ring for 46 minutes instead of 47 minutes would constitute "good service?" Really, Purpleguy, I think you got your argument mixed up in your underwear and stuck an arm through where a leg is supposed to go.

Purpleguy| 12.21.10 @ 10:23AM

Apparently, you can't read. My whole point is that complaining about a service that you rail against being awful, don't want to pay for to improve and would rather abolish altogether rather than correct, is hypocritical at best, or just plain stupid.

You can't have your cake and eat it too - unless you pay for it.

All of you who enjoy not paying for government services should move to Mississippi, where the don't pay for the State services many of us enjoy. Try it, if you like it, stay there.

The Federal bureaucracy we're all stuck with - thanks to the Republican Presidents who say one thing, but do the other ... look to them for leadership - NOT.

Paul D| 12.21.10 @ 11:24AM

Purpleguy,

Do you work for a living?

Purpleguy| 12.21.10 @ 2:26PM

Yes, and I for one am glad I have clean, hot water to help me get ready for work, bathroom facilities and sanitation same, a safe car to ride to work in, a safe road to ride to work on, a safe plane or train, should I take one of those to work. I enjoy being able to afford child-care for my young ones, and especially the school that educates my older ones.
I also enjoy the clean air a non-smoking work environment provides, and I really enjoy the safe food that I eat with confidence. All of these and more are daily activities that affect me and countless others, including ALL of YOU brought to you by your Federal and State/Local governments.
Instead of railing against the government that, as you say, everyone is on the public dole, you should be trying to help improve it. If you aren't part of the solution, YOU are part of the problem.

Paul D| 12.21.10 @ 4:22PM

You have clean hot water because the private sector makes reliable hot water heaters that they sell for a profit. If they were not reliable, no one would by them.

You have a safe reliable car because American manufactuers make a profit by building them to satisfy the market demands for them. If they were not reliable, no one would buy them. Governments make Yugos and Trabants.

Your affordable child care is market based and if you have access to a good public school you must live in a Latte liberal upscale community with high taxes.

If a grocery store sold you unsafe food you would be a fool to buy from them again, and no doubt such a foolish careless store would go out of business quickly.

But since the government is obviously your god, you will brook no heresy. Feel free to keep worshipping at the altar of Leviathan.

Negro X| 12.21.10 @ 6:42PM

PG,
You also enjoy the freedom of being free of independent thought.

Purple Lips| 12.21.10 @ 11:31AM

Here's some numbers:

In FY 2010 the Fed ran up $3.5 trillion in spending, of which $1 trillion was borrowed.

In FY 2010 states and local governments ran up $1 trillion in spending, of which $300 billion was borrowed.

Our economy is just over $13 trillion. Combined state and federal spending is $4.5 trillion, of which almost $2 trillion is borrowed. Do the math. And for all of that spending, the Beltway cannot provide operators who speak Enlgish and know thier jobs. And you want more of it.

Purpleguy| 12.21.10 @ 2:31PM

Of course, Bush put us in a deep hole, we all know that. The deficit is less this year than last year, but did you even hear that on Fixed Noise? Nope, you didn't.
Having goods and services is great - but you have to PAY for them. You can't have clean air, water, safe schools, safe streets, clean roads, efficient transportation and dozens of other services if you don't pay for them. So stop whining about money. We need to cut spending AND raise taxes when the economy improves - but not now.

Ol Will| 12.21.10 @ 6:46PM

Stop it!
Most of the things you list are the proper activities of state and local governments. We want those things and are willing to pay a reasonable amount to have them. It's the unconstitutional, bloated activities of the Feral Gov't interfering with the proper functions of local government that we all object to.

You liberals act like all things are the same. You never make distinctions. That's why your arguments are always so shallow and, shall I say without hurting your feelings, stupid.

Purpleguy| 12.21.10 @ 10:49PM

I see, it's not the Government you object to - it's the Federal Government...

You do realize that 50-80% or more of a lot of State projects is funded by the Federal Government? And, oh my, can you imagine if all 50 states had different standards of quality for clean water, clean air, road construction and the like for other infrastructure?
We do have a patchwork quilt of educational systems around the country wrought by different states' standards - How's that working out for us? The Education department and "No child left behind", as well as "Race to the Top" are all meant to correct those deficiencies in our 50-state system - and you think that shows evidence that a 50 separate state solutions is good? You aren't serious are you? Don't you want to know and isn't better for business, our country and our prosperity for a child going to school in Florida to have an equal education as does a child in Alaska, Hawaii, Illinois, Arizona or California? Can you really argue with that? Especially when our kids will be competing with the Chinese, Indian and other children around the world for jobs and our prosperity in the future. Surely we want them to have the best - not the best from one state - the best from our country.
Drop the rhetoric and think common sense ... it really would help you see the light.

Publius| 12.22.10 @ 12:20AM

Yes, I can imagine all those things. Do you really think it's more efficient that the people in the States send the money to DC so that it can be returned (minus a cut) States to be spent? How is it, do you suppose, that all the smart people end up in DC with none remaining in the States?

How's that competing with internationally thing working? One of the first things that Obama did was terminate (public) charter schools in DC. These schools were at the top of DC public school academic performance. The light you're seeing the train coming at you.

Publius| 12.22.10 @ 12:16AM

Yes, purpleguy, I understand. There's a McDonald's on my way to work that is conveniently located for me. The service is horrible though. Tomorrow I'll stop by and ask if I can pay double the listed prices in the hope the service will be better. That's the way to increased efficiency.

Are you really so dumb?

Richard Baker| 12.21.10 @ 10:09AM

Purplething:
It's the liberal/socialist mindset which infects all within the Federal Triangle. I grew up in Northern Virginia and within the Beltway a Fairyland mentality exists. Remember, all this was started by Franklin "Pack the Court" Roosevelt and his merry band of pranksters. Well, my man, the joke's on us, isn't it?

Ken (Old Texican)| 12.21.10 @ 10:33AM

Purpleguy,
Thanks for continuing to drop by. You help remind us how stupid really works.
Again, thank you.

Purpleguy| 12.21.10 @ 11:31AM

Thanks for reading ... someday you will see the light...

Purpleguy| 12.21.10 @ 10:35AM

I would take issue with the implication that Socialism or Liberalism is always a bad thing. They, like all the other "-isms", are good in moderation and can be useful to a society. A little conservatism, a little liberalism, a little capitalism, a little socialism is good. Nothing is ever absolute, and the fringes on all sides that are complete ideologues are always in the wrong.

Actually, all "this" was started by George Washington, and the first Congress, who created all the initial Federal bureaucracy. No socialists there, are there? The next big leap in bureaucracy came from Abraham Lincoln, the Civil War and the aftermath. Socialists there? I don't think so. As population grew, the needs of the people grew and so did the need for social policy to keep us a vibrant, safe, secure and productive society.
Until you get rid of the population, you won't get rid of social needs, and therefore socialism. It's that simple.

Purple Lips| 12.21.10 @ 11:34AM

Errr.., in 1789 the federal government was subsidized by tarrifs. There were less than 1000 federal employees, and the War Department was run out of a building small enough to house an insurance broker.

In Lincoln's time, federal revenue again came from tarrifs (Lincoln sold war bonds and borrowed to subsidize a 4 year war). The War Department was upgraded to a building no bigger than a rural elementary school and the State Dept was even smaller. I'm not sure what your point is, other than to emphasize how far we have fallen.

Purpleguy| 12.21.10 @ 11:58AM

Yes, and the population was 3 million, not 300 million! Bureaucracy grows just as population grows.
My point is that as the population grows, so does the need for government to stabilize a civilization and that none of the "isms" are inherently bad - only when taken to extremes.

JP| 12.21.10 @ 1:48PM

No, we don't need a +$3 trillion byzantium to "stabilize" us.

Purpleguy| 12.21.10 @ 2:20PM

You have forgotten - Deficits don't matter - don't you remember your Lord Reagan and his minion Cheney?

Ol Will| 12.21.10 @ 7:00PM

Yes, and it really pissed me off when practically the first thing Reagan did after his inauguration was to ask Congress to increase the debt limit.

One difference between liberals and conservatives is that liberals worship their presidents. Conservatives have a set of principles by which they judge presidents and legislators. If "our" president violates our principles, he hears about it, he is roundly criticized.

Since we tend to judge others as we judge ourselves, liberals say, "Look what your guy did!" as if we are bound to defend him no matter what he does, like they are bound to defend the one they worship no matter what.

Again I say, "All your conservatives are made of straw."

Purpleguy| 12.21.10 @ 10:58PM

Wow - are you deaf lately? The progressive movement in this country is far from pleased with this President.
And, in case you missed it - you conservatives were so upset with Reagan you re-elected him.
You needn't lecture about principles - I've listened to Sean Insanity and Rush Loudmouth enough to know where you get that drivel from.

Do your principles include re-electing a Senator who frequents prostitutes?
How about the principle that allows a Senator to hire his mistress' 19 year old son? and then get a job for the mistress' husband no less?
How about the principle of holding up unemployment benefits for victims of this Great Recession?
And, what principle is at play holding up the health benefits for the First Responder Heroes of the 911 attack?
Conservatives and Republicans do not have the moral high ground in this country - they never have.
With the one exception of staying within our means, that is... unfortunately, that is not a principle they have any problem abandoning to get what they want.

Petronius| 12.21.10 @ 11:31AM

Futility doth run amok. And where and when it stops running, it merely takes up space.
Read The Pict Song, by Kipling

JP| 12.21.10 @ 11:40AM

Purple Guy,
You work under the assumption that most of us care a hoot about the GOP. We know more than you what Republican Presidents and pols have done. I will save you some time: Nixon gave us the EPA and the NEA. Eisenhower gave us Earl Warren, and the Federal Highway Act. Bush41 gave us the higher taxes and the American with Disabilities Act; Bush43 gave us extended Medicare prescription benefits, Homeland Security and $2 trillion in new spending.

The Teaparty rejects this form of statist, Progressive government. Most people here are conservatives first and Republicans second (or 3rd, or 5th).

Purpleguy| 12.21.10 @ 12:05PM

And, yet, y'all enjoy the fruits of that which you rail against.... amazing.
Y'all profess to love America (at least I presume you ALL do), but what America do you love? Is it your fantasy America that you have dreamed up in your mind where all money you earn will be yours forever? Is that the beef? Or the list of items you spelled out above - are those the things you don't like? Or do you just want to be a contrarian and dislike everything?
I suggest, that if you don't love America, with all her strengths and weaknesses, then leave it. She'll get along just fine without you.

JeffW| 12.21.10 @ 12:31PM

Funny, from reading all these comments and the story about how much the DC employees make, it appears to me that most (other than purpleguy) are saying that we do not get the service for the overpriced payments we are making. Yet purpleguy wants us to pay them more or shut up? Man, would I love to sell you a care, PG (can I call you PG?). I would sell you a overpriced one with a broken transmission and when you complained, I would say you should have paid more. I bet your fun on a trip, you always go in circles.

Purpleguy| 12.21.10 @ 2:35PM

I'll take bets that the high-priced ppl y'all rail against are the lobbyists, lawyers and think tankers that live in the DC area - not the clerks in the post office or the Labor Dept or SEC ... ... and how many lobbyists, lawyers or think tankers have you ever met, let alone got serviced by? You don't seriously think the clerks are the high paid did you? Really?

JeffW| 12.21.10 @ 3:05PM

Actually yes, I do think it is the clerks in DC being paid higher than average. Lets compare DC to Chicago shall we?
DC
http://www.simplyhired.com/a/s.....ington,+DC

Chicago
http://www.simplyhired.com/a/s.....hicago,+il

As you can see there is a difference acrosss the board. With the exception of one or two DC does make more. But facts mean little in your world, so have a politically incorrect Merry Christmas

Purpleguy| 12.21.10 @ 11:08PM

This was so easy ... check the cost of living in different cities - you think that might have something to do with the prevailing salaries available? do ya?

Oh, and please, please do check your link and mine for San Francisco compared to Chicago and Washington, DC. Note the huge difference in cost of living and Law Clerk salaries - Do you want to blame the Government for that too?

http://www.bankrate.com/calcul.....d=m1025827

JP| 12.21.10 @ 1:46PM

PG,
You seem to be working under the illusion that the Free Lunch lasts forever. In case you haven't noticed the US now is $13 trillion in the Red. And many if not most of those programs have led to all of that red ink. No PG, you are the one living in fantasy land.

The time will be coming shortly that most of these programs will either have to be cut or permanently shut down. We are broke. And when that time comes, we shall see how many libs will be leaving for more lucrative shores.

Purpleguy| 12.21.10 @ 2:37PM

Cuts, yes .. but raise in tax revenues too. The new deficit Commission has painful remedies, but very useful for discussion. If you advocate cuts, but no raise in revenues, then you aren't serious, you're an ideologue, and YOU are in fantasyland ...

Truth to Power| 12.21.10 @ 2:55PM

Purplegay's pretend world is collapsing. All his silliness is going to fall and all he can do is fantasize about getting blood from a stone. The game is over. Think small government, very small government. Spain and Greece are the expected result of progressives gone wild. Every ridiculous scheme going into flames.

JP| 12.21.10 @ 2:59PM

By raising revenues, you mean taxes? Have you an idea what would happen to our economy if taxes were raised by $2 trillion? Do you think that perhaps capital would flee like it did in 1937? Have you a clue what would happen to a $13 trillion GDP if that occured (hint: can you say $10 trillion GDP?).

The aggregate wealth in this nation (ie total assets) is $49 trillion. The unfunded liabilities our nation faces through 2080 is $110 trillion. That is, even if the federal government was to nationalize all wealth, this nation would still be $61 trillion in the hole.

In short, there isn't enough wealth in this nation to support our massive entitlement state. You really need a few classes in economics.

Purpleguy| 12.21.10 @ 11:16PM

This reminds me of the simple versus compound interest debate. You understand simple interest, but compound interest is much more complex, so you ignore it because you can't explain it.
In your simple economics, you gather all liabilities and assets, compare them, and you know if you're broke. I realize that's what Fixed Noise viewers understand, it's simple, it sounds like your paycheck and checkbook housing finances, and it fits on a bumper sticker.
But that is not how a country's finances works. I have neither the time nor inclination to school you in high finance, capital markets or monetary policy - none of which you deal with in your own personal budget.

Petronius| 12.21.10 @ 5:28PM

Don't tell me what I "enjoy' PG! I can't enjoy much because the money necessary for my "enjoyment" is being confiscated to facilitate all of this unnecessary interference in my life and support ambulatory roadkills like you.

Purpleguy| 12.21.10 @ 11:10PM

Aww, poor baby - well, I have a solution - make more money ... what a radical idea, huh?

The One Who Runs Like a Duck| 12.21.10 @ 12:20PM

We took a shellacking, Purpledude. I would have revoked dadt earlier if I would have known it would get you back on the job. We could have sold that line of crap about the summer of recovery, wind farms and the Chevy Volt with you on the job. Now when the party is over, the progressive Europeans are in decline, and our own country is two steps away from default, you show up to try to sell our various schemes. There are a lot of government services going away in the near future and nobody is going to get a choice in it. All ponzi schemes come to an end some day. Bush tax cuts, baby. By the way there are positions opening up for you in Afghanistan any day.

Purpleguy| 12.21.10 @ 2:54PM

What's the matter pookie? Did you hope the change would come faster than a speeding bullet?

You, as most conservatives do, confuse economic recovery with instant gratification. By your reckoning, with all these services going away, we'll have a hugh improvement in unemployment, right? Boehner is almost Speaker of the House - where are the jobs? Will we get them by March, June, September - I mean we're getting the tax cuts extended - jobs should fall out of the sky, right - just like they did from the Recovery Act tax cuts, right?
You can believe whatever you like, but that doesn't make it reality.

Who told you a summer would be all it would take to recover from 30 years of mistakes in economics?
It is true that oil is finite, coal is dirty and fossil fuels can only last so long (you do know where it all comes from, right?) . When would YOU like to start alternative energy sources? When it all runs out?
And, it isn't the Progressive Europeans in decline - it is all European countries, and Asian countries, and North American countries,etc. We just had a Worldwide Economic Disaster, not just here. Or did you miss that? The vaunted Irish economy is in deep trouble, and as you say, is Europe in general. Even Germany is putting an austerity program in place.
For that matter, even China had to spend huge amounts in stimulus to help their own economy.
I neither require, nor desire a place in Afghanistan, and don't even understand that reference - unless you want my head blown off.

Rich Fisher| 12.21.10 @ 9:08PM

PG, seems like you can't decide who is at fault for the government being out of control. When it's a Republican as president, with a Democratic Legislature that is responsible for ALL spending why it's the president who is responsible. When it's a Republican Congress and a Democrat president, why all of a sudden it is the Congress who is in charge. Which is it, PG? As usual your Liberal idiocy finally shows up if you are spout your bilge long enough.

Purpleguy| 12.21.10 @ 11:23PM

You have studied the US Constitution, haven't you?
Did you miss the part in the Constitution where the President has to sign all legislation, budget included, to become law? No Congress can do a d* thing without the President's consent (excepting the rare override of his veto).
Now, also have you missed the budget process? The President submits a budget to Congress - Congress tweaks it, up or down, but essentially it is the President's budget - this by the way is not in the Constitution, it is simply a tradition now.

Otherwise, you questions don't make sense ... you missed your mark.

Publius| 12.21.10 @ 11:56PM

Where in the Constitution does it say the President submits the budget to Congress? I must have missed that part or misunderstand Article 1, Section 9.

Purpleguy| 12.22.10 @ 12:01AM

It doesn't ... but I guess you didn't read my post in full ... i said "The President submits a budget to Congress - Congress tweaks it, up or down, but essentially it is the President's budget - this by the way is not in the Constitution, it is simply a tradition now."

The One Who Runs Like a Duck| 12.21.10 @ 3:09PM

We took a shellacking, Purpledude. Who told me that it would be the summer of recovery? Why that would be me, your Commander and Chief. I told all kinds of whoppers about, health care, wind farms, green jobs, the ending of Gitmo, ending rendition, out of Iraq, out of Afghanistan in 2011, etc. You name it, I have told a lie about it. We are in trouble now. They are on to us. We try to take their money and give it to our friends but now that is all over. I could even try to confuse the facts more but countries like Germany didn't listen to me and are better off for it. They are pointing the way to a better future while me and my progressive fiends are pointing the way to disaster. Oh well there is always golf for those who are part of my class. I thought you would be thrilled about joining a combat unit now that you are able. All those lonely men in foxholes, but be careful they have rifles. You just might catch a little friendly fire. Cap and trade, baby.

Miles| 12.21.10 @ 3:30PM

I have almost given up calling either of my Republican Senators, where do they find these "people" who answer the phones. Stupid doesn't begin to explain it. Love overpaying for stupid people who couldn't answer a question and I wonder how they find their way to "work"

aware| 12.21.10 @ 4:52PM

"....compensation gap between federal and private-sector workers jumps to nearly $62,000 per year -- $123,049 vs. $61,051."

Well....yes, the point of a criminal gang organized to the level of "government" is to thoroughly and systematically plunder the land and give the proceeds to its knaves. I'm surprised the serfs even make half.

How do you expect Robber Gangs to act?

sparkytim| 12.21.10 @ 6:48PM

I think that Purpleguy and others going back and forth about whodunit are completely missing the point- The bureauracracy is NOT beholden to the president or congress- they are only accountable to there supervisors. Is there any solid, real world measuring sticks to check the performance of a federal worker? State worker? Anything?? If you can't point to something solid to promote/ demote/ discipline for, you get brown nosing and abuse/ neglect of the notional customer (that would be all of the rest of us). I'm sure that there are good supervisors in the Federal or State bureaurcracy, but how long before they are captured by the lowered expectations of those around them. The only fix for poor service from our employees in the Federal and State government is to give them less and less power, and less and less money (by agency). I am an electrician by trade, non union shop, and we were called in to do some work at a local state DOT garage. My apprentice and I were there for 5 hours, and I saw NO ONE working the entire time. There were around 15 people in the shop, hanging out in the tool crib and talking, 4 guys were upstairs playing euchre all morning, and at midmorning they were giving out gloves and utility knives from the tool crib (the weekly allotment) !! The phrase "Your tax dollars at work" leaps to mind!!

Evanston2| 12.21.10 @ 8:08PM

"...we haven't really won a war since the 1940s." Well, since I was in the biz for 22 years, I'll start by stipulating that the argument depends on how you define 'war.' But generally speaking, since Reagan, our military has killed whomever we wanted, whenever. Even Bin Laden probably died at Tora Bora but there's no money in saying he's dead for either side. Anyway, I expect it'll take 20 years to flush out the successful military we have now and bring the new gay army to full fruition. Then you'll know what it means to lose a war.

Purpleguy| 12.21.10 @ 11:25PM

A homophobe - I knew one was out here ... as if YOU have anything to worry about.

Truth to Power| 12.22.10 @ 9:12AM

Don't confuse fear with disgust.

Stefan K.| 12.21.10 @ 9:02PM

When I flew attack jets in the Marine Corps we dumped thousands of gallons of fuel every September in order to expend our allotment before the new fiscal year. The entire government works this way. Is it efficient? Could private enterprise operate this way?
Our Federal and State governments are bloated, inefficient and unresponsive to the demands of American citizens. Purple Guy, I don't understand your point. The Federal Government has specific duties and powers, enumerated in the Constitution. Everything else is reserved to the States. Our Federal system is designed to limit the Federal government and allow the States to enact the will of their citizens in all other matters.
The Federal Government impoverishes us in order to finance programs it has no authority to create and never operates efficiently. I don't know what you believe we gain from a bloated bureaucracy that hires enormous numbers of misfits and grants them the power to exercise arbitrary authority over so many aspects of our lives. If you disagree with my characterization I'm sure you haven't dealt with a Federal agency recently. I suspect that you are one of those bureaucrats whose rice bowl is filled to overflowing by the labor of American workers who simply want to enjoy their private property safe from the tentacles of a rapacious gang of government thieves. The only interests I see being safeguarded by our Federal Government are those of our elected officials, an army of government bureaucrats, and members of public sector unions.

Mike L.| 12.22.10 @ 12:26AM

"I suspect that you are one of those bureaucrats whose rice bowl is filled to overflowing by the labor of American workers..."

Stefan K - you may be onto something there. By my count, Purpleguy has posted to this article's comment section at least 40 times in the past 15 hours. That's an average of one post every 22.5 minutes ON THIS PIECE ALONE! Who else but a government bureaucract would have that kind of time on his hands?!?!

Although, I will give him credit for his tenacity -- 15 hours is a long time to spend doing anything.

I'm guessing Barry, Harry, and Nancy must have their best people working double shifts to get all of the "essential" work done before the Christmas break.

Purpleguy| 12.22.10 @ 1:45AM

"Our Federal and State governments are bloated, inefficient and unresponsive to the demands of American citizens. " ... and your opinion, altho it is your right, isn't worth any more than anyone else's. Where's your facts about what your discussing. I"ve worked in Academia and Private Industry, in Management, and I can tell you that if you don't use your budget this year, you won't get the same or higher budget next year. Now, being wasteful, as you point out that you were, is horrible, but spending your budget is NOT just a government issue. It IS how many do budgeting around the globe. And, that includes private industry as well. Many corporations share some of the same problems you blame the government for. If you really knew or were really honest, you would admit that.

"The Federal Government has specific duties and powers, enumerated in the Constitution. Everything else is reserved to the States. " - Uh, no that is incorrect. Everything else is reserved to the States OR the to the people. The unenumerated powers granted to the United States Government are granted by the people either by electing officials to speak for them, or by fiat and acceptance of rules and regulations to form a more perfect union. Y'all miss that piece in the Constitution. The people grant to the government what they see fit to grant - and THAT is what changes with society. That one line "or to the people" says it all. Our country is a result of our collective acquiescence or active pursuit of the government we have today. It's just that simple.

And, for the record, I do not work for the Federal government, altho I did work for the US Post Office as a college student part time. I suppose you don't like the Post Office either - even though it is specifically 'enumerated' in the US Constitution, as is the US Census.

Nite| 12.21.10 @ 9:34PM

Two data entry errors were made on my Medicare records in 2009 when I went from employer insurance to Medicare. It took me 1 1/2 years with numerous phone calls, former insurance contacted Medicare twice to cancel (even though I had not had insurance for months), numerous phone calls resubmission of paperwork several times, and finally contacting Congress Joe Barton. It took his office twice before they finally got Medicare to fix their records. Medicare has subcontractors all over the country doing data entry. If someone makes an error, it is nearly impossible to correct. Claims were bounced all over the place, physicians had to resubmit paperwork 3-4 times. Talk about a governmental agency at work. Now Obama has a lunatic Czar in charge of Medicare. Death panels coming right up!

Purpleguy| 12.21.10 @ 11:27PM

Subcontractors? And, just who do you think THEY are? They are private companies out to make a profit, not provide you a service. Unfortunately, you blame the government for private industry foulups.

db| 12.21.10 @ 10:36PM

hey brooks, a,b or c?
did you forget d? Obama has plowed through 2 trillion a year since he got his grubby hands on our money. Obama is D. For disaster.

Purpleguy| 12.21.10 @ 11:29PM

Obama's budget is less than GW Bush's budget, but Fixed Noise didn't tell you that did they? Neither would Rush Loudmouth - doesn't fit their misinformation campaign. Large budget, yes, but give him credit for shaving 300million from the Bush budget, will ya?

More Articles by Ralph R. Reiland

More Articles From The Nation's Pulse

My Generation’s Disease

May 17, 2013 | Benjamin Brophy

The Seventeen Year Itch

May 15, 2013 | Lisa Fabrizio

Consternated Conferences

May 13, 2013 | John Tabin

Transsexual Flights from Reality

May 3, 2013 | Mark Tooley

Sweet Sounds Way Out Yonder

May 2, 2013 | Bill Croke

http://spectator.org/archives/2010/12/21/expensive-ineptitude

ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Headlines

Obama’s Assault on the First Amendment

George Neumayr|60 comments

Damage Control for Dummies

Matt Purple|32 comments

Time to Go for the Kill

Peter Ferrara|40 comments

Restrain the Abusive Administative State

Doug Bandow|13 comments

Disabling American Sovereignty

Iain Murray|6 comments

The Other Gosnells

Jordan Gonzalez|9 comments

Can He Unite Virginia’s GOP?

Carten Cordell|18 comments

Undoing the Brainwashing

Thomas Sowell|11 comments

The Spectacle Blog

He’s Just Not That Into You

Ross Kaminsky | 11:34AM

Curl is Right: Don’t Dismiss Benghazi

Quin Hillyer | 11:29AM

Issa’s Mistake

Ross Kaminsky | 11:11AM

Bernanke: No Need to Reimplement Glass-Steagal

Ross Kaminsky | 11:03AM

Lerner Says She Did Nothing Wrong, Then Pleads the Fifth

Kaylin Bugos | 10:50AM

Anthony Weiner Running for NY Mayor

Kyle Peterson | 10:38AM

Morning Round-Up 5-22

Patrick Ryan | 10:01AM

Carney Goes Birther on Major Garrett

Aaron Goldstein | 12:10AM

SPONSORED LINKS

FLASHBACK TO: 1995

Clip of the Day

ADVERTISEMENT

Home |About |Contributors |Advertise |Donate |Privacy Policy |Contact

The American Spectator Foundation is the 501(c)(3) organization responsible for publishing The American Spectator magazine and training aspiring journalists who espouse traditional American values. Your contributions are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law. Each donor receives a year-end summary of their giving for tax purposes.

Copyright 2013, The American Spectator. All rights reserved.