Census will get GPS coordinates for every home in America-why???

[Bo D]

I don't think she thinks

FIFY

[Ma and Pa]

Well, if Henry's gonna drop this ball, I'll pick it up and give it another toss: I can buy into the "near elimination of paper", but elimination of the "huge staff"-I won't bet the farm on that. The "staff" is a bunch of political insiders, drones, if you will, but still a part of the political machine. They are the sons, nieces, and idiot brothers-in-law of well-entrenched government bureaucrats, many of whom have fed out of the public trough for generations. These hooked-up leeches aren't going to lose their jobs; that's for saps like us. They'll get transferred to other assignments in the public sector-- some probably with new titles and more benefits, and eventually they'll find cushy little spots at the trough for their own leechy offspring. That's the way the system works-- or fails to work, if you will, and all the talk about "change" in the world isn't going to change it.

[LOsborne]

The "staff" is a bunch of political insiders, drones, if you will, but still a part of the political machine. They are the sons, nieces, and idiot brothers-in-law of well-entrenched government bureaucrats, many of whom have fed out of the public trough for generations.

That may have been true in the past, but not so much this time. A friend of mine, laid off from Merrill-Lynch for several months, recently got a job with the Census Bureau. For eleven and a half bucks an hour, plus mileage, she goes to houses to see if the people listed on the last Census still live there. I said, "That's stupid. Why don't you get a cross-directory and pick up the phone?" She shrugged and told me, "It's the government. Go figger."

Anyway, it's the only job offer she has had, at 52 years old, so she took it. She thinks of it like the CCC or WPA, make work, but what-the-hay, it's a paycheck. Although she says she would rather be fixing railroad tracks to bring back passenger service, so long as the gubmint is funding jobs.

[followsthewolf]

It is endemic in the system that we, the American people, have created.

If we "throw the bums out," a new set of bums will come in to replace them.

One person's pork is another person's job.

When one is a "hooked-up leech," he/she (if wise) keeps his/her mouth shut and enjoys the situation.

Kinda like (in the private sector) being the son (or a good friend) of the boss.

So, what's new? (Besides the rest of us being damn tired of not being "hooked up"?)

[pariann]

I know I'm tired of not being hooked up. My mother works for the Federal government and has for over 30 years.  My 2nd daughter works for the state, (for the last year).  I can't even find a freaking job.

[Ma and Pa]

Nothing's new, FTW; S.O.S., different day. But I guess all the change we've been told to expect isn't going to include any change from the old political spoils system. I imagine the ancient Romans had to deal with it too. Nepotism probably has its roots in the Latin language.

[followsthewolf]

Nothing is done politically without the "due bills" being paid or created at the same time.
No matter how well-intentioned the elected official is, the system remakes them to suit the demand of the constituents -- "We want something for our state/district -- create jobs or something for us!"
Hence, the elected official looks for the trade-offs with other elected officials to provide those "somethings" for each other's constituents.
Voila!  PORK!!

If someone would explain to me how the game could realistically be played any other way, I would weep with joy.

[Henry Hawk]

Well, if Henry's gonna drop this ball, I'll pick it up and give it another toss: I can buy into the "near elimination of paper", but elimination of the "huge staff"-I won't bet the farm on that. The "staff" is a bunch of political insiders, drones, if you will, but still a part of the political machine. They are the sons, nieces, and idiot brothers-in-law of well-entrenched government bureaucrats, many of whom have fed out of the public trough for generations. These hooked-up leeches aren't going to lose their jobs; that's for saps like us. They'll get transferred to other assignments in the public sector-- some probably with new titles and more benefits, and eventually they'll find cushy little spots at the trough for their own leechy offspring. That's the way the system works-- or fails to work, if you will, and all the talk about "change" in the world isn't going to change it.

I'm not really dropping the ball PA....I AM ALL for becoming MORE efficient....and I am extremely SKEPTICAL of this Congress and it's Leadership.....and it is a FACT...that Gov does NOT do anything efficient..

[Sandy Eggo]

The most interesting word in your statment is "this"..as if past government didn't require scrutiny or skepticism.

[Bo D]

Well, if Henry's gonna drop this ball, I'll pick it up and give it another toss: I can buy into the "near elimination of paper", but elimination of the "huge staff"-I won't bet the farm on that. The "staff" is a bunch of political insiders, drones, if you will, but still a part of the political machine. They are the sons, nieces, and idiot brothers-in-law of well-entrenched government bureaucrats, many of whom have fed out of the public trough for generations. These hooked-up leeches aren't going to lose their jobs; that's for saps like us. They'll get transferred to other assignments in the public sector-- some probably with new titles and more benefits, and eventually they'll find cushy little spots at the trough for their own leechy offspring. That's the way the system works-- or fails to work, if you will, and all the talk about "change" in the world isn't going to change it.

I think that depends on your definition of "staff."  If you mean management positions, I agree with you.

But I don't think that's true for the grunts who are hired to push all that paper around and the data entry clerks. In fact, a great majority of those jobs are farmed out to private contractors.

[Bo D]

and it is a FACT...that Gov does NOT do anything efficient..

That's a strong statement. I question you use of the word "fact." You are entitled to your opinion, but that does not make it a fact.

In fact, I can think of one thing that government has always done very efficiently!

Spend our money!

[Henry Hawk]

and it is a FACT...that Gov does NOT do anything efficient..

That's a strong statement. I question you use of the word "fact." You are entitled to your opinion, but that does not make it a fact.

In fact, I can think of one thing that government has always done very efficiently!

Spend our money!

your are right!!!... ..keep on me BO.. ..I'm TRYING to take it to the next level here... ....FACT  is a strong word......although, I think it is not a stretch to use it in the content that I did. 

[mcgonser]

Henry: I think you could of said that history and experience has shown that the goverment (mostly the house and senate) do not manage  money at all well. LOL

[Henry Hawk]

The most interesting word in your statment is "this"..as if past government didn't require scrutiny or skepticism.

of course the do or did...and honestly the was.....but, I think, it is the timing as much as anything....with the bailouts and such going on.....these guys are under the magnifying glass more than ever.....and for me personally, it was remarks like Pelosi made...claiming she was going to run the most ethical and effecient goverment ever...and now THIS.

[Henry Hawk]

Henry: I think you could of said that history and experience has shown that the goverment (mostly the house and senate) do not manage  money at all well. LOL

......

Thanks M...your are 100% right....THAT does sound a little less....."cocky"...