$19 Billion in Taxes Squandered

Deseret News ^ | September 7, 2002 | Nancy Zuckerbrod

[Sen Jack S. Fogbound]

Saturday, September 7, 2002

$19 billion in taxes squandered By Nancy Zuckerbrod Associated Press writer       WASHINGTON — A half dozen of the largest federal agencies squandered $19 billion in erroneous payments last year, and the total amount wasted is probably far greater, according to a report released Friday.       Improper Medicare payments accounted for more than half the money, according to the study by the General Accounting Office, the investigative arm of Congress. The government also paid out more than it should in housing subsidies and tax refunds.       The mistakes occurred when government officials paid people twice, miscalculated the amount individuals should receive or sent checks to people who weren't eligible, according to the report.       The improper payments were culled from the annual financial reports of agencies that accounted for most of the government's $1.8 trillion budget. But the actual amount wasted is likely to be billions more since hardly any agencies reveal these kind of mistakes, according to the General Accounting Office.       "Few agencies publicly report improper payment information such as improper payment rates, causes and strategies for better managing their programs to reduce or eliminate these payments," the report stated.       Sen. Fred Thompson, R-Tenn., said Congress should fix that problem.       "Public scrutiny is often the most effective tool in focusing agency managers' attention on certain issues, and Americans deserve to know if their tax dollars are being mismanaged," said Thompson, who ordered the investigation.       Thompson has previously asked congressional auditors to examine the issue. The amount wasted last year was down from about $20 billion two years ago. However fewer agencies revealed their improper payments this time around.       For example, the Agriculture Department's Food and Nutrition Service acknowledged in its financial statements that it made improper payments in the food stamp program last year. However it did not identify an amount as it did the year before. That year, the agency acknowledged paying out $1.1 billion in erroneous food stamp payments. On the Net: General Accounting Office: www.gao.gov/ Sen. Thompson's Office: thompson.senate.gov/

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[Sen Jack S. Fogbound]

I should be surprised?

[Pern]

This is what we get for having such a bloated govt. workforce.

But it still pisses me off. I wonder what will be the final straw that causes to people to revolt?

[kellynla]

Fred Thompson says we should investigate? Typical response from a guy who is leaving the Senate to draw a pension paid for by us for the rest of his life. Too bad Ronald Reagan didn't follow through with his proposal of eliminating the Department of Education. No need to list all the federal government departments and agencies that should be eliminated. But if the waste, fraud and abuse were eliminated we could probably operate on half the size of the budget we are operating on now.

[Sen Jack S. Fogbound]

I wouldn't know! Every time I see this kind of article, I just throw up my hands! Nobody seems to get excited about it but just looking for more handouts! Sheesh!

[WhiteGuy]

This is BS..........

the gop is not responsible for this...

That's right! If all you sheeple would just send your money to the gop....

and vote only for gop candidates............

then the all-caring duhbya will fix it all

But a senate majority is necessary first!

Yep, if you don't do what you're told, then the evil government will continue to take your money and flush it.

[Mike4Freedom]

the gop is not responsible for this...

Sorry to disappoint you but the bureaucracy will waste no matter what party is in power. The only variable is how much is spent. Half of that will be wasted. The only way to reduce waste is spend less.

As we see, the GOP does not spend less, they just spend on different things. The waste goes on.

Take for example the War On Drugs. That costs at least $19 billion and is 100% waste plus it causes almost $100 billion in consequential waste in lost productivity of all the harmless people jailed.

[Jesse]

Only 19 Billion?

Think 'iceberg". Think 'tip of'.

[Sen Jack S. Fogbound]

"Only 19 Billion?

Think 'iceberg". Think 'tip of'."

You got that right! I do truly believe there are untold billions of billions dollars being thrown down into a rathole!!! And a bunch of them lining the politicians' pocket!

WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE TO GET THE CITIZENS' TEMPER TO GO AFLAME AGAINST THE CROOKS IN WASHINGTON?

DO THEY REALLY CARE, OR ARE THEY JUST BENDING OVER AND LETTING THEM DO IT TO THEM?