Fat waste

There were protest around the country this weekend, as people came out to object to the way Trump was cutting government. They said it was the responsibility of congress to cut. While this is true, the congress is not only responsible for the budget but also for over sight. In other words, the job of congress does not end when it allocates money to some agency, it includes a follow up to see how the money is spent. Congress has failed to follow up and government spending, which was 15% of the GDP in 1950 is now 37% and has resulted in a $36 trillion dollar debt. One of the top priorities of each congress person is to get reelected and this makes it difficult for them to control the spending. If a congressman goes before his constituents a says he wants to cut the fat from government, everyone agrees but not their fat. If he tries that he will be primaried at the next election by someone who promises not to cut the fat but will add more fat. Trump is trying a new approach by bringing in an outsider, Musk, who is not concerned about being reelected and willing to cut the fat. Mistakes are made because it must be done before the next election. There is another hurdle because it is Trump. In the 90’s Clinton cut the federal work force by 400,000 and there was no protest. It is the same old story. People all understand that there is waste in government and they want it to stop but not if it means cutting their benefits. -- When the people find that they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic. -- Ben Franklin.