you know what pisses me off about the US government

jlew24asu
jlew24asu Posts: 10,118
edited August 2007 in A Moving Train
the amount of fucking wasteful spending of taxpayer money. I know I know, everyone is going to reply with the "wasteful" spending on Iraq. defense spending, excluded, we waste BILLIONS.

for example. in wake of the MN bridge collapse, its said that some 70,000 bridges need repair in this country. I was watching a press conference when bush said he would not raise taxes to pay for it but ask congress to reallocate current spending and ask them to reconsider what we spend money on. I agree. (again I am talking about domestic things). for example, 40 million was spent on some stupid project to find out how to increase foot traffic on walking paths in minnesota. the list goes on and on.

what is that report that comes out every year? the pig report or something? can anything really be done about the shameful spending by congress?
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  • jlew24asu
    jlew24asu Posts: 10,118
    Europeans....do your governments do the same?

    ps. can we please not turn this into an Iraq debate
  • gue_barium
    gue_barium Posts: 5,515
    jlew24asu wrote:
    the amount of fucking wasteful spending of taxpayer money. I know I know, everyone is going to reply with the "wasteful" spending on Iraq. defense spending, excluded, we waste BILLIONS.

    for example. in wake of the MN bridge collapse, its said that some 70,000 bridges need repair in this country. I was watching a press conference when bush said he would not raise taxes to pay for it but ask congress to reallocate current spending and ask them to reconsider what we spend money on. I agree. (again I am talking about domestic things). for example, 40 million was spent on some stupid project to find out how to increase foot traffic on walking paths in minnesota. the list goes on and on.

    what is that report that comes out every year? the pig report or something? can anything really be done about the shameful spending by congress?

    Explosives come to mind.
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  • know1
    know1 Posts: 6,801
    jlew24asu wrote:
    the amount of fucking wasteful spending of taxpayer money. I know I know, everyone is going to reply with the "wasteful" spending on Iraq. defense spending, excluded, we waste BILLIONS.

    for example. in wake of the MN bridge collapse, its said that some 70,000 bridges need repair in this country. I was watching a press conference when bush said he would not raise taxes to pay for it but ask congress to reallocate current spending and ask them to reconsider what we spend money on. I agree. (again I am talking about domestic things). for example, 40 million was spent on some stupid project to find out how to increase foot traffic on walking paths in minnesota. the list goes on and on.

    what is that report that comes out every year? the pig report or something? can anything really be done about the shameful spending by congress?

    Agreed. And any solution proposed by government at this point that involves raising taxes is something I will oppose.

    No higher gas tax, no higher cigarette tax, etc. There is no reason to throw more money at an already ridiculously irresponsible government.
    The only people we should try to get even with...
    ...are those who've helped us.

    Right 'round the corner could be bigger than ourselves.
  • jlew24asu
    jlew24asu Posts: 10,118
    gue_barium wrote:
    Explosives come to mind.

    meaning military spending is too high? I agree
  • Hope&Anger
    Hope&Anger Posts: 260
    The problem is earmarks, my friend, earmarks.

    Earmarking allows members of Congress to allocate funds to their little pet projects in their districts. This process goes on outside of regular budget oversight -- where Congress gives large amounts of money to agencies.

    I read one estimate that said earmarks were responsible for $1.3 billion in 2005.

    Not to mention that this weird-o Department of Homeland Security system has them doling out money to fire departments in central Illinois. Here's my Congressman bragging about bringing $300,000 to fire departments in farming communities.

    http://www.house.gov/apps/list/speech/il15_johnson/pr_070725c.html

    (I mean, Kansas, Illinois? Don't get me wrong -- I love me my small farming communities. But why are federal tax dollars going to local fire departments in central Illinois, under the guise of homeland security, no less. Wouldn't you feel better if they were spending that money on more metal detectors at the Sears Tower?)

    Why this all happens is pretty complicated, I think. It's about incumbents retaining power by bringing home the bacon. Any candidate who went out and said "I am not going to try to milk the federal government for all its worth for you, my constituents" would not get elected.

    Pigs at the trough.
    "Things will just get better and better even though it
    doesn't feel that way right now. That's the hopeful
    idea . . . Hope didn't get much applause . . .
    Hope! Hope is the underdog!"

    -- EV, Live at the Showbox
  • jlew24asu
    jlew24asu Posts: 10,118
    Hope&Anger wrote:
    The problem is earmarks, my friend, earmarks.

    Earmarking allows members of Congress to allocate funds to their little pet projects in their districts. This process goes on outside of regular budget oversight -- where Congress gives large amounts of money to agencies.
    I may be wrong but isnt this something bush is trying to eliminate? or at least limit?
    Hope&Anger wrote:
    I read one estimate that said earmarks were responsible for $1.3 billion in 2005.
    in a trillion something budget, this doesnt seem to bad. but still wasteful in most cases.
    Hope&Anger wrote:
    Not to mention that this weird-o Department of Homeland Security system has them doling out money to fire departments in central Illinois. Here's my Congressman bragging about bringing $300,000 to fire departments in farming communities.

    http://www.house.gov/apps/list/speech/il15_johnson/pr_070725c.html

    (I mean, Kansas, Illinois? Don't get me wrong -- I love me my small farming communities. But why are federal tax dollars going to local fire departments in central Illinois, under the guise of homeland security, no less. Wouldn't you feel better if they were spending that money on more metal detectors at the Sears Tower?)
    well im sure that money is going to good use. without the guise of homeland security, could this money get there any other way? dont get me wrong, I see your point and agree money can be better spent.
    Hope&Anger wrote:
    Why this all happens is pretty complicated, I think. It's about incumbents retaining power by bringing home the bacon. Any candidate who went out and said "I am not going to try to milk the federal government for all its worth for you, my constituents" would not get elected.

    Pigs at the trough.

    sadly I dont see how this problem can go away. I do however like how bush very much recognizes how wasteful congress is. but with the amount spent in Iraq, he should look in the mirror first. but its a good sign that I hope remains on the table long after the Iraq shit is behind us.
  • 1970RR
    1970RR Posts: 281
    jlew24asu wrote:
    the amount of fucking wasteful spending of taxpayer money. I know I know, everyone is going to reply with the "wasteful" spending on Iraq. defense spending, excluded, we waste BILLIONS.

    for example. in wake of the MN bridge collapse, its said that some 70,000 bridges need repair in this country. I was watching a press conference when bush said he would not raise taxes to pay for it but ask congress to reallocate current spending and ask them to reconsider what we spend money on. I agree. (again I am talking about domestic things). for example, 40 million was spent on some stupid project to find out how to increase foot traffic on walking paths in minnesota. the list goes on and on.

    what is that report that comes out every year? the pig report or something? can anything really be done about the shameful spending by congress?
    You are definately correct in pointing out the skewed priorites that exist in government funding.
    Minnesota, and Hennepin County in particular, were more than happy to raise the sales tax against voters wishes to fund a brand-new ballpark for the benefit of millionaire owners.
    I would think that the $450 million would have gone a long way to repairing the bridge.
  • Pacomc79
    Pacomc79 Posts: 9,404
    reduce incumbants, reduce the fat.

    part of the problem is the federal government is too large and powerful.

    People get much better representation when their politicians are local

    IE, why is there a federal department of education?

    Really, No Child Left behind...really?? Ok States.... GO... we set federal standards..good luck funding it. Why the hell are teachers having to buy supplies for thier classrooms but we pay administration 100K a year?? How the hell does teaching to a test guarentee education? Yes, of course it does not, however, if you're a politician in power, you can use those numbers to show how effective you've been if you can improve a test score or two, who gives a shit whether the kids learned anything worthwhile or not?

    Local government with a small protectorate national government is a hell of a lot more effective than a powerful national government and less powerful state and local authorities.

    The national government should be helping regulate state relations and commerce not having thier hands in all of this other business.


    Next rant....how do we make infrastructure sexy to voters and taxpayers???

    I'll vote for the next canidate who says they want to focus on infrastructure.
    My Girlfriend said to me..."How many guitars do you need?" and I replied...."How many pairs of shoes do you need?" She got really quiet.
  • spiral out
    spiral out Posts: 1,052
    jlew24asu wrote:
    Europeans....do your governments do the same?

    ps. can we please not turn this into an Iraq debate

    Yea ours does the same. I know for a fact that every place i have worked at manages to piss money away to.

    It's annoying as hell.
    Keep on rockin in the free world!!!!

    The economy has polarized to the point where the wealthiest 10% now own 85% of the nation’s wealth. Never before have the bottom 90% been so highly indebted, so dependent on the wealthy.
  • jlew24asu
    jlew24asu Posts: 10,118
    Pacomc79 wrote:

    Next rant....how do we make infrastructure sexy to voters and taxpayers???

    I'll vote for the next canidate who says they want to focus on infrastructure.

    not only that, but taxpayer waste. I would be all over a candidate that wants to clean that up. but then again, I fear a candidate would just use that as a campaign tool and then we would be right back where we started.

    all this earmark bullshit cant be something local residents/voters are pushing for??

    its just sad how wasteful all that damn money is.
  • gue_barium
    gue_barium Posts: 5,515
    money is bullshit. let's get to the heart of the matter.
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  • jlew24asu
    jlew24asu Posts: 10,118
    gue_barium wrote:
    money is bullshit. let's get to the heart of the matter.

    which is?
  • Kann
    Kann Posts: 1,146
    Here it may even be worse. Our own irs wastes loads of money due to bad management. And in most of the other government services it's the same.
    Unfortunately these wastes are not wasted for everybody and many find a privilege in this, thus making it harder for people willing to correct this.
    It really is sickening, and to think what could be done with all that money...
    Raising tax should not be necessary, managing them correctly should.
  • gue_barium
    gue_barium Posts: 5,515
    jlew24asu wrote:
    which is?
    Flesh and bones. Existence.
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    except by express written permission of ©gue_barium, the author.
  • jlew24asu
    jlew24asu Posts: 10,118
    gue_barium wrote:
    Flesh and bones. Existence.

    you are the oddest fellow in existence. moving on.....
  • jlew24asu
    jlew24asu Posts: 10,118
    Kann wrote:
    Here it may even be worse. Our own irs wastes loads of money due to bad management. And in most of the other government services it's the same.
    Unfortunately these wastes are not wasted for everybody and many find a privilege in this, thus making it harder for people willing to correct this.
    It really is sickening, and to think what could be done with all that money...
    Raising tax should not be necessary, managing them correctly should.

    it kills me. I almost want to devote my life to help end taxpayer waste in Washington. what the hell can I (we) do.
  • norm
    norm Posts: 31,146
    pork
  • Truthmonger
    Truthmonger Posts: 559
    Jlew, I couldn't agree more. And why aren't watchdog agencies, both gov't and private, more vigilant in reporting spending abuses ?? We had a program in Canada (re; gun registry) that was supposed to cost literally a few million dollars. Well, the fucking thing ballooned to several hundred million. It never really hit the news until it was costing a few hundred million dollars, and \my question is "why ?" How could something escalate so exponentially and still not make the news ? Where were the people who watch these things ? And why didn't they stop this motherfucker in its trackks when it got to 5 million, let alone 500 million ? Its outrageous.
  • know1
    know1 Posts: 6,801
    I'll say it again - we need to insist on lower taxes and that the government learns to live within a budget - like I have to with my personal finances.
    The only people we should try to get even with...
    ...are those who've helped us.

    Right 'round the corner could be bigger than ourselves.
  • YieldInHiding
    YieldInHiding Posts: 1,841
    1970RR wrote:
    You are definately correct in pointing out the skewed priorites that exist in government funding.
    Minnesota, and Hennepin County in particular, were more than happy to raise the sales tax against voters wishes to fund a brand-new ballpark for the benefit of millionaire owners.
    I would think that the $450 million would have gone a long way to repairing the bridge.

    Don't forget $25 million for the new Guthrie Theater.
    No longer overwhelmed it seems so simple now.

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