Everything was going along fine with the U.S. Government Then along comes this maniacal maverick, Ron Paul, upsetting the apple cart and beguiling us with wispy tales of massive federal bloat and fraud.
Who the hell does this guy think he is? Savior of the Nation?
Sure, Ron Paul is a Congressman from Texas, but this over-zealous watchdog has no right to criticize the Government he serves for the specious “sins” of waste, fraud, bloat, lack of frugality, and irresponsibility.
“No corporation on earth,” says Paul, “comes close to the accounting fraud practiced by the federal government. The official ‘accounting’ that takes place is a sham.”
Such a thing to say, Mr. Paul.
True, according to Martin L. Gross, reporter and educator, the White House has 29 limousines, and 50 chauffeured cars to take bureaucrats hither and yon. Cost? A paltry $100,000 a year. So aren’t you overreacting just a bit, Mr. Paul?
“The federal government doesn’t need to raise money,” intones Paul, “it simply takes what it wants through taxes, which can be raised at will. And it never has to operate profitably or efficiently.”
Whoa there, Mr. Paul. Yes, the government may own and operate 1,200 civilian aircraft, worth $2 billion, to fly executives and their families and guests around the country at a cost of $800 million a year, but we’re a rich country. You can’t expect big mucky-mucks to fly commercial. Please!
“Literally tens of billions of dollars go unaccounted for each year, disappearing down a bureaucratic black hole,” complains Paul, “and there is no incentive to cut costs. In fact, federal agencies scramble to spend every last penny of their budgets to justify more the next year.”
Oh, Mr. Paul, you’re probably referring to the $7 billion of taxpayers’ money that federal agencies spend each year, and then use up the balance of the money on luxury vacations. Well, even bureaucrats need some R&R after a while, Mr. Paul. As for luxury resorts, I think most citizens would feel a sense of pride at rewarding their representatives with the very best in accommodations.
“None of the free-market restraints against federal mismanagement apply to government,” Mr. Paul grumbles. “There is no stock price to worry about, nobody tracks government performance, and nobody ever gets fired. Simply put, the money is not hard-earned, so it’s not well-spent.”
How can you say that, Mr. Paul? To make sure we get value for our tax dollars, the government hires consultants for almost everything. Yes, the cost is about $5 billion a year, but good consultants, you know, don’t come cheap.
And yes, admittedly the consultants have been accused of saying that it’s nobody’s business. So what? We don’t have to know how our government does everything, do we? What is this, Mr. Paul, show-and-tell week?
“So why is there not more outrage about government financial accountability?” Mr. Paul asks. “Of course we read the occasional news article lamenting $400 hammers at the Pentagon, but for the most part Congress gets a free pass on its own fiscal mismanagement.”
I’ll admit, Mr. Paul, it seems like the government gets away with murder but don’t say they’re being lax about it. They have 4,000 federally employed, public relations specialists presenting the government in the best light possible to the media. At a salary of 85,000 per, that’s a measly $340 million a year. Sure, they never talk about the government’s deficiencies, but after all, Mr. Paul, that’s what PR does. And you’ll have to admit, they’re doing a great job.
“The only thing we know,” states Mr. Paul, “is that the federal budget will go up next year.”
And so will bread and gasoline and computers and bathing suits. But don’t blame the government. They’re doing everything in their power to keep costs down.
You being in Congress, Mr. Paul, I can’t believe someone that close to the money doesn’t see that.
“Published originally at EtherZone.com : republication allowed with this notice and hyperlink intact.”