Q. For Small Government Adherents

[Wry Catcher]

How would YOU shrink the Federal Government. Since you believe it will be a good thing, I must suppose you have thought of the cost-benefits and cost-deficits. Please include them with any cut you propose.

Thanks in advance for your thoughtful explanation.

 

[2aguy]

First, go to a flat tax or another easier tax system...get rid of most of the IRS...get rid of the Dept. of Education and allow the states to keep that money...or more importantly the tax payers.....that would be the start....get rid of the grants for humanities or whatever that is called...stop most foreign aid to enemies of this country...do an audit on all government agencies...reign them in and cut their staff an initial 10% and then dig in and see how much more you can cut them.....cut back on congressional staff and perks.....
The list would be endless.......mention some and I'll let you know...

Phase out Social Security into another, more effective system...encourage people to save their own money for retirement......

Get rid of the post office...let the private sector handle it...........

 

[C_Clayton_Jones]

First, go to a flat tax or another easier tax system...get rid of most of the IRS...get rid of the Dept. of Education and allow the states to keep that money...or more importantly the tax payers.....that would be the start....get rid of the grants for humanities or whatever that is called...stop most foreign aid to enemies of this country...do an audit on all government agencies...reign them in and cut their staff an initial 10% and then dig in and see how much more you can cut them.....cut back on congressional staff and perks.....
The list would be endless.......mention some and I'll let you know...

Phase out Social Security into another, more effective system...encourage people to save their own money for retirement......

Get rid of the post office...let the private sector handle it...........

The 'list' is idiotic, reactionary, and unwarranted – exhibiting the naïve ignorance and stupidity of most on the radical right, and why they're incapable of responsible governance.

 

[occupied]

First, go to a flat tax or another easier tax system...get rid of most of the IRS...get rid of the Dept. of Education and allow the states to keep that money...or more importantly the tax payers.....that would be the start....get rid of the grants for humanities or whatever that is called...stop most foreign aid to enemies of this country...do an audit on all government agencies...reign them in and cut their staff an initial 10% and then dig in and see how much more you can cut them.....cut back on congressional staff and perks.....
The list would be endless.......mention some and I'll let you know...

Phase out Social Security into another, more effective system...encourage people to save their own money for retirement......

Get rid of the post office...let the private sector handle it...........

The 'list' is idiotic, reactionary, and unwarranted – exhibiting the naïve ignorance and stupidity of most on the radical right, and why they're incapable of responsible governance.

Their idea of responsible governance means making someone with a profit motive fully responsible for things much more important than a single company's profits.

 

[LordBrownTrout]

I would start with entitlements ie social programs and the dept of defense. From there I would look at each agency within its dept. I wouldn't even know where to begin about how much to cut...probably around 10 percent.

 

[2aguy]

First, go to a flat tax or another easier tax system...get rid of most of the IRS...get rid of the Dept. of Education and allow the states to keep that money...or more importantly the tax payers.....that would be the start....get rid of the grants for humanities or whatever that is called...stop most foreign aid to enemies of this country...do an audit on all government agencies...reign them in and cut their staff an initial 10% and then dig in and see how much more you can cut them.....cut back on congressional staff and perks.....
The list would be endless.......mention some and I'll let you know...

Phase out Social Security into another, more effective system...encourage people to save their own money for retirement......

Get rid of the post office...let the private sector handle it...........

The 'list' is idiotic, reactionary, and unwarranted – exhibiting the naïve ignorance and stupidity of most on the radical right, and why they're incapable of responsible governance.

Yes...the government can only grow, expand and get bigger and bigger...as the leftists worship it and must protect their god....never shall the heretic diminish the might and power of their deity......

 

[Zander]

Government is rife with fraud, waste and abuse. I'd shrink government by going for the low hanging fruit first. Medicare has $20-30 Billion in waste alone...and there are so many stupid and redundant programs and departments....it's a clusterfuck.

from Heritage - Top 10 Examples of Government Waste
. Medicare Overspending

• Medicare wastes more money than any other federal program, yet its strong public support leaves lawmakers hesitant to address program efficiencies, which cost taxpayers and Medicare recipients billions of dollars annually.
  
  For example, Medicare pays as much as eight times what other federal agencies pay for the same drugs and medical supplies.[6] The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently compared the prices paid by Medicare and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care program for 16 types of medical equipment and supplies, which account for one-quarter of Medicare's equipment and supplies purchases. The evidence showed that Medicare paid an average of more than double what the VA paid for the same items. The largest difference was for saline solution, with Medicare paying $8.26 per liter compared to the $1.02 paid by the VA.[7] (See Table 1.)
  
  
  
  
  
  These higher prices not only cost the program more money, but also take more money out of the pockets of Medicare beneficiaries. In 2002, senior citizens' co-payments accounted for 20 percent of the $9.4 billion in allowed claims for medical equipment and supplies.[8] Higher prices mean higher co-payments.
  
  Medicare also overpays for drugs. In 2000, Medicare's payments for 24 leading drugs were $1.9 billion higher than they would have been under the prices paid by the VA or other federal agencies. Although Medicare is supposed to pay wholesale prices for drugs, it relies on drug manufacturers to define the prices, and manufacturers have strong incentives to inflate their prices.[9]
  
  Nor are inflated prices for drugs and supplies the most expensive examples of Medicare's inefficiencies. Basic payment errors-the results of deliberate fraud and administrative errors-cost $12.3 billion annually. As much as $7 billion owed to the program has gone uncollected or has been written off.[10] Finally, while Medicare contracts claims processing and administration to several private companies, 19 cases of contractor fraud have been settled in recent years, with a maximum settlement of $76 million.[11]
  
  Putting it all together, Medicare reform could save taxpayers and program beneficiaries $20 billion to $30 billion annually without reducing benefits. That would be enough to fund a $3,000 refundable health care tax credit for nearly 10 million uninsured low-income households.

Unused Flight Tickets Totaling $100 Million

A recent audit revealed that between 1997 and 2003, the Defense Department purchased and then left unused approximately 270,000 commercial airline tickets at a total cost of $100 million. Even worse, the Pentagon never bothered to get a refund for these fully refundable tickets. The GAO blamed a system that relied on department personnel to notify the travel office when purchased tickets went unused.

Auditors also found 27,000 transactions between 2001 and 2002 in which the Pentagon paid twice for the same ticket. The department would purchase the ticket directly and then inexplicably reimburse the employee for the cost of the ticket. (In one case, an employee who allegedly made seven false claims for airline tickets professed not to have noticed that $9,700 was deposited into his/her account). These additional transactions cost taxpayers $8 million.

This $108 million could have purchased seven Blackhawk helicopters, 17 M1 Abrams tanks, or a large supply of additional body armor for U.S. troops in Afghanistan and Iraq.


Redundancy Piled on Redundancy

Government's layering of new programs on top of old ones inherently creates duplication. Having several agencies perform similar duties is wasteful and confuses program beneficiaries who must navigate each program's distinct rules and requirements.

Some overlap is inevitable because some agencies are defined by whom they serve (e.g., veterans, Native Americans, urbanites, and rural families), while others are defined by what they provide (e.g., housing, education, health care, and economic development). When these agencies' constituencies overlap, each relevant agency will often have its own program. With 342 separate economic development programs, the federal government needs to make consolidation a priority.

Consolidating duplicative programs will save money and improve government service. In addition to those programs that should be eliminated completely, Congress should consolidate the following sets of programs:

• 342 economic development programs;
• 130 programs serving the disabled;
• 130 programs serving at-risk youth;
• 90 early childhood development programs;
• 75 programs funding international education, cultural, and training exchange activities;
• 72 federal programs dedicated to assuring safe water;
• 50 homeless assistance programs;
• 45 federal agencies conducting federal criminal investigations;
• 40 separate employment and training programs;
• 28 rural development programs;
• 27 teen pregnancy programs;
• 26 small, extraneous K-12 school grant programs;
• 23 agencies providing aid to the former Soviet republics;
• 19 programs fighting substance abuse;
• 17 rural water and waste-water programs in eight agencies;
• 17 trade agencies monitoring 400 international trade agreements;
• 12 food safety agencies;
• 11 principal statistics agencies; and
• Four overlapping land management agencies

Top 10 Examples of Government Waste

 

[S.J.]

Start with a balanced budget amendment.

 

[2aguy]

But...but......you are trying to cut their god.......

 

[dblack]

First, go to a flat tax or another easier tax system...get rid of most of the IRS...get rid of the Dept. of Education and allow the states to keep that money...or more importantly the tax payers.....that would be the start....get rid of the grants for humanities or whatever that is called...stop most foreign aid to enemies of this country...do an audit on all government agencies...reign them in and cut their staff an initial 10% and then dig in and see how much more you can cut them.....cut back on congressional staff and perks.....
The list would be endless.......mention some and I'll let you know...

Phase out Social Security into another, more effective system...encourage people to save their own money for retirement......

Get rid of the post office...let the private sector handle it...........

The 'list' is idiotic, reactionary, and unwarranted – exhibiting the naïve ignorance and stupidity of most on the radical right, and why they're incapable of responsible governance.

Good answer, good answer!

 

[2aguy]

Start with a balanced budget amendment.

I have heard bad things about that strategy.....if you just say...balance the budget and make it a constitutional provision....that would be a mandate to raise taxes to cover what they are spending....not a mandate to cut to fit the money they have......

 

[C_Clayton_Jones]

There is no such thing as 'small' government, or 'big' government, for that matter – government exists at the behest of the people, acting at the behest of the people, performing services at the behest of the people, and doing so in a manner consistent with the Constitution and its case law – having nothing to do with the 'size' of government.

 

[2aguy]

First, go to a flat tax or another easier tax system...get rid of most of the IRS...get rid of the Dept. of Education and allow the states to keep that money...or more importantly the tax payers.....that would be the start....get rid of the grants for humanities or whatever that is called...stop most foreign aid to enemies of this country...do an audit on all government agencies...reign them in and cut their staff an initial 10% and then dig in and see how much more you can cut them.....cut back on congressional staff and perks.....
The list would be endless.......mention some and I'll let you know...

Phase out Social Security into another, more effective system...encourage people to save their own money for retirement......

Get rid of the post office...let the private sector handle it...........

The 'list' is idiotic, reactionary, and unwarranted – exhibiting the naïve ignorance and stupidity of most on the radical right, and why they're incapable of responsible governance.

Good answer, good answer!

Yes....one must not question the god of the left....for you will be declared heretic...the faithful must always act to grow and expand their god......and destroy any who would oppose this......

 

[dblack]

How would YOU shrink the Federal Government. Since you believe it will be a good thing, I must suppose you have thought of the cost-benefits and cost-deficits. Please include them with any cut you propose.

Thanks in advance for your thoughtful explanation.

Cut the military budget 2/3. End the war on drugs. Close the Homeland Security dept. Phase out Social Security. Repeal ACA.

 

[blackhawk]

Question for the left is there any government program or departement you would cut or do away with outside of the defense departement?

 

[dblack]

There is no such thing as 'small' government, or 'big' government, for that matter – government exists at the behest of the people, acting at the behest of the people, performing services at the behest of the people, and doing so in a manner consistent with the Constitution and its case law – having nothing to do with the 'size' of government.

That statement doesn't even make any sense. I mean you're right that the constitutional authority of government has nothing do with its size. Which means it has nothing to do with the topic of the thread. And it certainly doesn't establish that there's "no such thing" as small or big government.

 

[Clementine]

First, go to a flat tax or another easier tax system...get rid of most of the IRS...get rid of the Dept. of Education and allow the states to keep that money...or more importantly the tax payers.....that would be the start....get rid of the grants for humanities or whatever that is called...stop most foreign aid to enemies of this country...do an audit on all government agencies...reign them in and cut their staff an initial 10% and then dig in and see how much more you can cut them.....cut back on congressional staff and perks.....
The list would be endless.......mention some and I'll let you know...

Phase out Social Security into another, more effective system...encourage people to save their own money for retirement......

Get rid of the post office...let the private sector handle it...........

The 'list' is idiotic, reactionary, and unwarranted – exhibiting the naïve ignorance and stupidity of most on the radical right, and why they're incapable of responsible governance.

Their idea of responsible governance means making someone with a profit motive fully responsible for things much more important than a single company's profits.

Government spends more on things than the private sector and are less efficient. Liberals are totally against people making profits and creating jobs. Government doesn't create jobs and when it expands and hires a bunch of inept bureaucrats, it just adds to the tax burden.

We don't need to be handing billions to other countries every year. And we need to cut pay for congress. They shouldn't have to get paid what they do since they don't work as hard as the average American. They don't need to maintain two expensive homes. We can build a nice apartment building, with full security, and have them live there. If it's good enough for our military people, who don't have easy jobs, it's good enough for congress.

Stop illegal immigration by refusing welfare for illegals and fine companies who hire them. Children of illegal parents should not be granted citizenship. Take away the reasons for coming and problem solved.

Bring back welfare to work.

Cut pork spending. Billions have been spent on projects that aren't needed but just keep cronies pockets lined. Building a fancy airport in a town that doesn't need it while the infrastructure in other places crumbles is typical spending for some of the idiots in Washington.

Make congress members and the president justify all travel expenses. We shouldn't foot the bill for liquor and over the top accommodations. Pelosi once rang up a liquor bill that cost what the average person would take a year to earn.

I knew some secret service people and military people who were in charge of transporting cars for the Gores. They said it was considered a business trip when they spent a half hour meeting with some head of state and then the rest of the week was fun time. If politicians are going to turn trips into vacations, they should foot the bill for expenses. I think it's a scam, from both parties, when they could just as well talk on the phone, but instead pack up the whole family to head overseas.

When you think of big government, it's not so much the actual size as it is the amount of power they have over our lives. One dictator can make millions of people miserable.

 

[S.J.]

Start with a balanced budget amendment.

I have heard bad things about that strategy.....if you just say...balance the budget and make it a constitutional provision....that would be a mandate to raise taxes to cover what they are spending....not a mandate to cut to fit the money they have......

I said START with a balanced budget amendment. Freeze tax rates, abolish the IRS and replace the income tax system with a consumption tax. Freeze government hiring and cut employees, starting at 10%. No more student loans. They're never paid back and it's not the responsibility of the taxpayer to fund other people's education anyway. Stop subsidizing industries that can't support themselves.

 

[MACAULAY]

1) For every 8 that retire; hire only 7 and get those 7 off their asses by No. 2 below.

2) Amend the laws for getting fired---i.e. stop the Public Employee Unions from dictating terms to the taxpayers, who they work for.

3) Implement the third and final of Jefferson's Proposed Amendments to the Constitution: Terms Limits for Congress.

 

[Zander]

1) Fix the income tax system. Eliminate all deductions and move to a 3-tier tax system that is indexed to inflation.

Something simple like this:

0-50,000 = 7.5% tax on first 50K
50,000--500,000 = 12.5% tax on income above 50k up to 500K
500,000+ = 17.5% tax on all income above 500K

All income would be withheld as earned - a simple one page tax form confirming income is all that would be required. NO DEDUCTIONS, NO PREFERENCES, NO EXEMPTIONS.

2) Fix Social security - Eliminate the cap on taxable earnings and the system is solvent.

3) Cap federal spending at 18% of GDP (or less!). Require a 2/3 majority of Congress AND the approval of 2/3 of the STATES, to raise federal taxes or increase spending beyond 18%.