US government asks public which departments to ax

Yahoo News ^ | April 13, 2017

[Rennes Templar]

Washington (AFP) - Not much about Donald Trump's administration has followed presidential tradition, and here's another example: it is asking the American people what government departments and agencies they would like to see reformed or even axed.

Options include the CIA, the State Department, the Department of Homeland Security, and even the Executive Office of the President.

A website created by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (itself among the choices) allows people to make suggestions as Trump moves to make good on a pledge to streamline a bureaucracy he derides as bloated and inefficient.

A questionnaire on the White House website lists 20 departments or agencies of the US federal government and more than 100 offices within them.

Above this menu is the question, "What agency would you like to reform?"

Further down is the question "What agency would you like to eliminate?" and then a menu for people to give a reason.

The options include the idea that such and such an office is not necessary, duplicates the work of another or should not be the work of the federal government in the first place. People can also write in their own reasons.

Reorganizing the government was one of Trump's main campaign pledges.

[itsahoot]

Department of Education (let each STATE handle their own schools!)

I voted for Reagan because he promised to abolish the Department of Education and the 55 mph speed limit. Just to point out how hard it is to kill off any government job.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Yes. I know. *SIGH*

[Art in Idaho]

Thanks for posting LucyT. Who knew these agencies were so huge and had so many departments. I remember way back when Ross Perot was running, he was in D.C. and, I remember the TV clip, he looked at the huge Department of Agriculture building and said, "What is that huge building?" When told it was the Ag Dept building he looked in dismay and said, "What do they do?"

That's just how I feel. Was in D.C. spring break 2014 and remember in the 'bus tour' driving by the Ag bldg, the huge Dept of Ed building and others. Bloated bureaucracy on steroids. Half of what they all do could be downsized and done by the individual states. The other half should just be disbanded. My personal favorite would be the EPA as I have personally seen lives destroyed by their tactics, one was one of those 'wetland' cases.

Will be sending my 2 cents in. Again Lucy, thanks for posting. A FReeper surge!

[Art in Idaho]

This thread got me to thinking of a friend that used to work in D.C and was a GS-9 level. She said the way it works there as far as advancement is the opposite of the private sector.

She went on to describe that if you could show your particular job is so important and requires more help, that would help your evaluation, promotion and advancement. She said if you could show that and request two more people with your 'section' than you were doing a good job.

Better yet, if you had a 'big' idea that involved say, needing fifteen people, and it was approved, then you would be deemed valuable and more apt to Get a Promotion.

So, the bureaucracy just keeps expanding so people can get promoted. . and get more perks. Totally the opposite of the private sector where efficiency, cost cutting and the bottom line are important.

She also said there are constant meetings and conferences to attend. . Per diem, travel, etc. All on our dime.

This is why it will continue to expand until a chopper shows up - hopefully Trump - and the downsizing begins.

Taxation = Redistribution of Earned Income

Redistribution of Earned Income = Theft

Taxation above 30% usually leads to revolutions.

Many Americans are paying much more than 30%.

All the waste, fraud and abuse is getting to all of us.

Downsize Now!

[Art in Idaho]

Drudge Headline, in Red:

Feds Collect Record Taxes

Still Run Deficit

[foundedonpurpose]

I forgot a lot. To include it all would be a 3 day read.

Blessings to you and your family!

Founded

[Lurkus Maximus]

I think the better question is “Which departments are worth retaining?”. The answer is much smaller.

[longsufferingjetsfan]

Dept of Education and the DOJ’s Civil Rights Department.

[Zeneta]

I have an honest question for the Freepers that are familiar with how our tax dollars are actually disbursed.

I can only think of one instance in which money flows “Directly” from the U.S. Treasury to an individual and that is Social security. Setting aside the IRS.

It is my understanding that all other public assistance funds are administered by the States.

Clearly, the States are “Mandated” by the Federal Government to provide assistance to individuals that meet certain criteria. But it’s the States that have control of who actually gets the money. There’s an entirely different discussion about “Unfunded Mandates” to consider but I’m more interested in the “Funded Mandates”.

Our Government (our tax dollars) and its various departments each and every year are desperate to increase their own budget by finding new people and new ways to spend more and more money in order to get their own increase as well as to justify their existence. In many cases they are actually rewarded for finding new ways to spend more of our tax dollars.

In turn, most, if not all of our States are addicted to the money that flows from these Government programs.

I recall many years ago in which the Federal Government threatened States that failed to adopt a 55 mph speed limit by withholding Federal Highway funds.

Fundamentally, the Federal government is a “Pass through entity” that disburses funds to those States that adhere to their rules and regulations.

It seems to me that in order to regain our Republic the States need to tell the Feds to keep their money and stop telling us what to do. We don’t need or want your money and we certainly don’t care for your never ending rules.

Instead of cutting off funds (budget cuts) to these agencies the States could flood them with more money than they could possibly spend by just saying NO. Go pound sand cause we won’t be dictated too and bribed any longer.

It’s a process to a States liberation from being controlled by Washington. While some States may begin to cut off Government funds there will be others that will suck up all the money that can. Congress can restrict the over flow of funds to a certain extent.

IMHO, the States MUST stop taking Federal funds. Stop being told what they are supposed to do in order to continue to receive money.

Just a Thought.

[Chode]

you sir are a Constitutionalist

[Rennes Templar]

That’s a long question! Cutting off federal funds to states is a good idea. Implementing it is another issue. The whole concept boggles the mind. There so much variation in how states use funds - NY and CA vs. Wyoming, for example. You raise a good issue with no simple answers.

[Vigilanteman]

Move the UN to Mogadishu. Somalia has the population density of Kansas, the climate of California and 2000 miles of coastline astride on of the world's busiest trade routes.

Let the globalists have it to turn it into the multicultural paradise of their dreams. It could be turned into the primary settlement destination for refugees from around the world.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

It certainly would be a shock to their system were they actually forced to DO what they continually yap about!

[i_robot73]

>you sir are a Constitutionalist

Yes, I know, I know. The ‘thought’, that govt should abide by the words and deeds We have allowed it to exist; as *if* it were some sort of contract...in plain English....with no context. /s

Truly sad is there are too few here: gore their ox and the fangs come out.

[Chode]

100%...

[P.O.E.]

All of the above. Start from scratch, and let them prove their value with measurable targets to get refunding every year after that.

[P.O.E.]

There’s plenty of helium on the sun. Devil’s in the details, though.

[HKMk23]

Reap the [solar] wind?