Debt Debate in Congress

[Teatownclown]

Reagan Claimed Debt Ceiling Default 'Threatens Those Who Rely on Social Security, Veterans Benefits' – Was He Lying, Too?
Jon Ponder | Jul. 20, 2011

http://www.pensitoreview.com/2011/07/20/reagan-claimed-debt-ceiling-default-threatens-social-security-veterans-benefits/



  Ignorance + beligerance = House Republican 

[nathanm]

And just to illustrate why it is I harp on the defense budget so much:

[bokworker]

No argument here on the need to cut defense.... anyone?

[Conan71]

No argument here on the need to cut defense.... anyone?

Hell, even the military agrees and has tried to, but defense contractors have reps running interference for them in Congress.

Considering the response so far from every corner has been: "You cut your pet projects but leave mine alone!" can everyone agree that across the board cuts on federal expenditures appears the only logical way to remove politics from the issue?

[nathanm]

Hell, even the military agrees and has tried to, but defense contractors have reps running interference for them in Congress.

Considering the response so far from every corner has been: "You cut your pet projects but leave mine alone!" can everyone agree that across the board cuts on federal expenditures appears the only logical way to remove politics from the issue?

Pair it with repealing the Bush tax cuts in their entirety and make it contingent upon economic recovery and I'm perfectly fine with that. Once the economy recovers, we need to cut government spending to avoid inflation anyway.

[bokworker]

I don't think that is the best way to do it Conan but in the absence of the ability to have any realistic conversation about prioritizing spending then across the board is the best starting place. There will be the requisite claims about gutting certain programs but why should we not ask government managers to make the same decisions that the private market makes. Figure out who is most important to you in getting your job done and keep them. Unfortunately I suspect that across the board cuts will be met with a decision making process driven primarily by tenure and not job performance.

[Gaspar]

I don't think that is the best way to do it Conan but in the absence of the ability to have any realistic conversation about prioritizing spending then across the board is the best starting place. There will be the requisite claims about gutting certain programs but why should we not ask government managers to make the same decisions that the private market makes. Figure out who is most important to you in getting your job done and keep them. Unfortunately I suspect that across the board cuts will be met with a decision making process driven primarily by tenure and not job performance.

+1

According to a USA Today article published yesterday only 0.55% of government workers are fired each year for poor performance, compared to 3% in the private sector.

During the last couple of years some government agencies experienced no downsizing or attrician while the public sector withered.  The 1,800-employee Federal Communications Commission and the 1,200-employee Federal Trade Commission didn't lay off or fire a single employee last year. The SBA had no layoffs, six firings and 17 deaths in its 4,000-employee workforce. 

The job security rate for all federal workers was 99.43% last year and nearly 100% for those on the job more than a few years.

The gist of the article was that you are more likely to die at your desk at a federal job than be replaced for incompetence.  In some positions, I would also assume that it would probably take several weeks for your co-workers to find you dead at your desk! 

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2011-07-18-fderal-job-security_n.htm?loc=interstitialskip

[Conan71]

I don't think that is the best way to do it Conan but in the absence of the ability to have any realistic conversation about prioritizing spending then across the board is the best starting place. There will be the requisite claims about gutting certain programs but why should we not ask government managers to make the same decisions that the private market makes. Figure out who is most important to you in getting your job done and keep them. Unfortunately I suspect that across the board cuts will be met with a decision making process driven primarily by tenure and not job performance.

You're right, it's not the best way to go about it, but the alternative looks to be a major pissing contest which has made no progress.  It does't even have to be deep cuts initially. Start incrementally and keep going over time.  I was against the SQ 744 issue for the very reason that it inserted blind cuts into every other state department for the sake of education without taking anything into consideration other than SQ 744 would have to be funded at ANY cost.

One issue I've noticed in my time contracting with government at various levels is the feds don't have a very good system in place to reward cost-cutting or efficiency-raising efforts.  Each department head is a little potentate and they are reluctant to expose incompetence and waste because they don't want to lose funding from their department.  On a social basis, some departments get pretty insular and the workers tend to look out for each other.  I've seen needless end of year spending on supplies which can't possibly be used for years because, as I've been told, if they don't spend it, they lose it from next year's budget.  These are policies which encourage waste upon more waste.

Go to a government auction web site and see how cheaply our government gets rid of lightly and unused surplus supplies and equipment.  I guess I'm in a more unique position to see the wasteful side of government.  Sure, it's great to be able to do business with them at all levels, but there are things as a taxpayer which totally rankle me.

[guido911]

Let's quit the "why can't we all just get along?" fantasy and get real. The repubs have put forth and voted on two plans to tackle this debt problem (Ryan budget and cut, cap, & balance). Where is the dems plan?

[Conan71]

Let's quit the "why can't we all just get along?" fantasy and get real. The repubs have put forth and voted on two plans to tackle this debt problem (Ryan budget and cut, cap, & balance). Where is the dems plan?

Soak the rich.

Have you forgotten already?

[guido911]

Soak the rich.

Have you forgotten already?

I did. Sorry. Moving along now...

[dbacks fan]

The Dems plan? Just sign the bill so you can see whats in it.

[Breadburner]

No argument here on the need to cut defense.... anyone?

Yes we could try this....

[Conan71]

Yes we could try this....

All I could keep thinking is: "Man this is going to end poorly if the safety isn't engaged"

[Red Arrow]

Either words have meaning or they don't. If they don't, what the hell are we all doing here?

Good luck with that.  I've tried in a few instances and got nowhere.  I don't remember at the moment if you were one of the members telling me to ease up.