How do we reduce the size of government

[bcp (Premo)]

the Sequestration thread got me wondering.
Right now its 13 that say yes to sequestration, and 20 that say no because it might affect their jobs.
Well, most of those responding are in some way working in the defense areas, and I personally dont see where any of that should be cut.
However, what about the FDA and other bloated agencies, Im pretty sure that the people that work in these areas are also going to say no becuase they might lose their position.
Face it, to shrink government, people have to lose their jobs, to just transfer from one agency to another does not shrink government, It might reduce budgets by a little, but nothing noticable.
So how do we fairly go about shrinking things?
Do we just not hire new people into the agencies, and slowly shut them down as people retire, then at some point relocate the remaining workers? That would do it, however there would come a point that some people would be getting paid for nothing more than sitting around playing on the internet. (I already hold this position)
So who gets cut and how is the decision made. Do we give early retirements, lump sum payments?

[victoryman]

Ask Congress to go Home. They seem to be not doing anything.

[Larry Gude (Premo)]

Originally Posted by bcp

...Well, most of those responding are in some way working in the defense areas, and I personally dont see where any of that should be cut.
However, what about the FDA and other bloated agencies, Im pretty sure that the people that work in these areas are also going to say no becuase they might lose their position.
Face it, to shrink government, people have to lose their jobs, to just transfer from one agency to another does not shrink government, It might reduce budgets by a little, but nothing noticable.
So how do we fairly go about shrinking things?
Do we just not hire new people into the agencies, and slowly shut them down as people retire, then at some point relocate the remaining workers? That would do it, however there would come a point that some people would be getting paid for nothing more than sitting around playing on the internet. (I already hold this position)
So who gets cut and how is the decision made. Do we give early retirements, lump sum payments?

For one, when people say 'we need to cut $1 trillion in spending this year' when we are borrowing $1 trillion for the year, we need to stop calling them kooks in response.

For two, nothing even needs to be cut. All we have to do is FREEZE everything. For 10 years. 5. One year. Hell, how about for one fiscal quarter?

Congress is stuck with something like 70% of the budget being out of their hands, pork passed by previous congress's. We need to demand they take the knives to everything. EVERYTHING.

Wanna see some real cuts? Simply make it mandatory to find new money in existing programs. We might find all sorts of stupid crap that costs more than it's worth, simple, pure pork, gone in no time.

However, you already illustrated the problem; no one thinks their pork is pork.

[kwillia]

Listening to the news this morning the FDA is getting cuts, so is airport security, so is federalized daycare, so is the feds ability to respond to gun background checks, so are a number of other non-DOD agencies. That is why folks that think this only affects DOD and they don't have to worry about it are in for a big surprise.

[Chasey_Lane]

Originally Posted by bcp

Face it, to shrink government, people have to lose their jobs

Not necessarily. If you want to shrink the government, consider reducing benefits and educational assistance. Cap PTO to 3 months for each active government employee.

[bcp (Premo)]

Originally Posted by kwillia

Listening to the news this morning the FDA is getting cuts, so is airport security, so is federalized daycare, so is the feds ability to respond to gun background checks, so are a number of other non-DOD agencies. That is why folks that think this only affects DOD and they don't have to worry about it are in for a big surprise.

I agree with those cuts.
the only ones I dont agree with are the DOD cuts that involve actual bodies or the ability to perform their function as required.

[Ken King]

Originally Posted by kwillia

Listening to the news this morning the FDA is getting cuts, so is airport security, so is federalized daycare, so is the feds ability to respond to gun background checks, so are a number of other non-DOD agencies. That is why folks that think this only affects DOD and they don't have to worry about it are in for a big surprise.

Under sequestration are any of these really cuts? Or is it that they aren't getting the entire increase in funding that they want beyond what they get now? As to DOD I think that they can take plenty of cuts/reduction, especially in the conglomorate of non-military personnel and duplication of function.

[Pete]

Originally Posted by Chasey_Lane

Not necessarily. If you want to shrink the government, consider reducing benefits and educational assistance. Cap PTO to 3 months for each active government employee.

How about reforming the contracting process. Giving real thoughts to CPI instead of lip service, stripping away burdens and impediments. Rewarding efficiency.

Everyone #####es about federal workers and the CSS. Fact of the matter is the government created this god awful mess we all work in and they regulate it to the Nth degree.

Ever been through a DCAA audit? They spend $10 to be sure a contractor does not get $1 they don't spend $3 to document. You know we "could" reduce costs but are barred to by federal regulations.

Name another industry where the customer directly tells you what your profit margin is, comes in and audits you to ensure you don't eeek out a single dime above the limit, then changed the rules of the "contract" that you won in a competition you spent $70K trying to win.

Hello Walmart, I know for a fact that the giant jar of Vlasic pickles cost you $3.17. you are allowed to charge me $3.32. Oh BTW I want monthly reports proving what you paid for the jars, lids, lables, pickles, spices and vinegar. If I come back in April and you made .01 over you owe it back to me. Oh and you have to have at least 6 people hired on OH to make sure you comply with the 250 pages of accounting regulations. Oh and those rates you proposed and we awarded you the win on, they mean nothing because next month I am going to set a limit per hour what you are REALLY allowed to charge. Oh and the number of hours you were awarded, it is now reduced by 50%.

[kwillia]

Originally Posted by Chasey_Lane

Not necessarily. If you want to shrink the government, consider reducing benefits and educational assistance. Cap PTO to 3 months for each active government employee.

Hey now... let's not go crazy... we won't cut down on everything...


Officials with the U.S. Department of Agriculture have been quietly assuring illegal immigrants that taking food stamps and other government assistance won’t slow their paths toward citizenship.

The agency’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program addresses the point: The brochure asks, “If I get on SNAP benefits, will I be a ‘public charge?’”



The brochure then answers: “No. You and your family can apply for and receive SNAP benefits without hurting your chance of becoming U.S. citizens.”

The Daily Caller reported on the brochure, which was part of a packet the USDA gives Mexican consulates for distribution among various Mexican communities in the United States.

The Census Breau reports that heads of households born in Mexico are more likely than any other nationality to take some form of government food assistance.



Read more: Illegal immigrants on food stamps won't face slower citizenship path: USDA - Washington Times
Follow us: @washtimes on Twitter

[Pete]

Originally Posted by Ken King

Under sequestration are any of these really cuts? Or is it that they aren't getting the entire increase in funding that they want beyond what they get now? As to DOD I think that they can take plenty of cuts/reduction, especially in the conglomorate of non-military personnel and duplication of function.

On talk radio yesterday they said there are more members of the various military bands than there are in the entire state department. I thought that was pretty odd.

Hello Ken!