Government too big, too expensive
FEMA, SSA, HSA, MSHA, SEC, MMS. All acronyms, they are federal bureaucracies with the people in charge of enforcement and compliance making six figure incomes. Other than perhaps SSA, which has just been mismanaged, all of these entities are coming to light as being too cozy with the industries that they are supposed to oversee. Things were overlooked, and political pressure applied to allow tremendous damage to be done to the American people, the environment, and the economy.
More bureaucracies are planned, with the promise of higher pay to ensure honesty and the best talents. I think we could do with lower wages and more honest people. Most of the people in the bureaucracies are politically connected or related to someone who is.
As I recall, when Obama was trying to select a cabinet, most of his appointees weren’t even honest enough to pay their taxes, but the new president assured us that these were the best and brightest people for the jobs. He should have given his word that hiring these people wouldn’t cost us “one thin dime.”
The same as he promised for the health care bill, which will surely require a new cadre of highly-paid employees to protect the public. Problem is that the projected cost has already tripled and the bill hasn’t even taken effect yet.
I don’t think that Obama understands economics. When the cost of doing business goes up to where it cuts into the corporate comfort zone, there are only two ways to get back into that comfort zone: either raise prices or cut back on the employee costs.
You wanted change? Hold onto that thin dime, if you can, it may well be the only change you will have left. Meanwhile, Gov. Rendell is after that same thin dime. The guy wants to spend billions more when the state is already bankrupt. He says that we can’t hurt the poor people, but increasing the number of the poor isn’t going to help anyone.
Maybe it is time to impose term limits. Can it really hurt to elect someone who isn’t a professional politician? One term and out is a way to spread the wealth as Obama wants to do. Changing politicians every few years will make it more difficult for PACs and other influence peddlers.
John Catlett is a resident of Smithfield.