Post # 368, Bob McKnight's Florida Commentary
Sen. Proxmire called it "The Golden Fleece."
How many times have you heard candidates pledge to run government like a business? The candidates usually say they will apply their business experience and proven efficiencies to lower the cost of government. President Trump even created a new government agency called "DOGE" (Department of Government Efficiency) to reduce the size of the government, by spending government money. Multi-billionaire Elon Musk has been assigned to do that and is also doing business with the government, generating more costs for the government, all with our money. Really.
Those pledges of economy often fly in the face of reality. After pledging to reduce the cost of the Federal Government, President Trump proceeded to file Federal litigation and Executive Orders against the very same Federal government. The funding for the government to sue itself is yes, the very same government. The ultimate source of the government funding is the taxpayer, of course.
In fairness, these actions are conducted by both political parties, but since the Republicans control the Presidency, the Congress, and most state legislatures, Republicans are most responsible for governments suing the very same governments. The irony is that Republicans claim to be the party of conservatives and business-like management of government.
When President Carter was in the White House he introduced the concept of "Sunsetting Funding" until and unless a government agency could justify its existence. The renewal of the agency was most typically completed, but with many changes or reforms. Those changes were expected to improve efficiencies and results, or lower costs. When the Republicans took over the Whitehouse the concept of sunsetting was eliminated behind heavy lobbying by "K Street."
When Republican President George W. Bush led us into the Iraq War, he introduced another Republican tactic for keeping the cost of government manageable--"outsourcing." Rather than use Federal dollars for Federal costs, Bush used Federal dollars to fund private projects doing Federal work. That made the whole process a shell game out of view by the public, which was difficult to follow and audit.
President Trump has bragged about signing a record of 35 Executive Orders in his first week of service. Those Executive Orders circumvent review by the appropriating branch of the Federal government--the Congress. Some of those Executive Orders affected or otherwise eliminated funding lawfully approved by Congress.
These are simple examples of poor management or even outright stealing of public funds by our public representatives. It goes on without review or prudent management by our representatives in government. President Trump called this the "Golden Age" of Government.
Actually. Senator Proxmire was right--it is "The Golden Fleece."
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