Archive for the ‘Gov't Waste & Inefficiency’ Category

Before you get too excited about the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill …

November 8, 2021

Remember “shovel ready”, “cash for clunkers”. Solyndra and the SoCal-to-Vegas bullet train?
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According to a recent USA Today poll:

The infrastructure bill, which passed Friday with some bipartisan support, is backed by 2-1 (61%-32%) among those surveyed.

Almost everybody agrees that major parts of our infrastructure — roads, bridges, electrical grid, broadband, drinking water — need to be upgraded.

Other parts of the infrastructure have strong urban, coastal and climate control support — e.g.  inter-city rail (especially DC to Boston), metro area public transportation, EV subsidies and charging stations.

Below is list of infrastructure programs included in the bill

For the sake of argument, let’s assume all of the above are worthwhile endeavors.

Here are some things to think about…

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How much on “infrastructure”?

> For openers, according to a Forbes recap, less than half of the $1.2 trillion — $550 billion — is going into hard infrastructure …  the rest goes to the usual grab bag of government giveaways, pork  and crony paybacks.

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Deliverables, schedule and budget?

> Of course, this program will end up  taking forever (thanks to gov’t red tape and climate control reviews) and go way over budget.

There will be union and diversity requirements on all contractors …, and, a shortage of certifiably vaccinated labor will push wages through the roof.

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Government track record?

> The Federal government’s most recent track record on these omnibus programs is less than stellar.  Just flashback to the Obama’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The ARRA gave us “shovel ready”, “cash for clunkers”. Solyndra and the SoCal-to-Vegas bullet train.

Off the top of your head, can you name any significant infrastructure improvement that came out of that program?

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Who’s in charge?

> Who — from among the gang that can’t shoot straight — is going to manage this trillion dollar project? Biden (who Obama tasked to oversee the ARRA)? Harris (who has done such a great job as Border Czar)? Buttiigieg (when he gets back from his paternity leave)? Granholm (who laughs off our surging gas prices)?

Seriously, who’s going to run this massive project?

The only “for sure”: Nobody will be held accountable.

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What are the odds?

By the law of averages, something good may come from this massive program, but I’m bracing for disappointment … even faster inflation with few concrete infrastructure successes to point to.

In a few years (or months), we’ll be hearing: “Gotta upgrade our infrastructure”.

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In the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Bill:

Roads and bridges: Headlining the 2,702-page bill‘s spending, roughly $110 billion of new funds would go toward improving the nation’s roads and bridges, and investments in other major transportation programs.

Public transit: The package also includes the largest-ever federal investment in public transit, allotting $39 billion to modernize systems, improve access for the elderly and people with disabilities, and repair more than 24,000 buses, 5,000 rail cars and thousands of miles of train tracks.

Amtrak: The legislation marks the largest investment in passenger rail since the creation of Amtrak 50 years ago, with $66 billion earmarked for high-speed rail, safety improvements, Amtrak grants and to modernize the rail route connecting Washington, D.C., to Boston.

Broadband internet: Tacking on to billions authorized by last year’s American Rescue Plan, the infrastructure bill includes $65 billion to bolster the country’s broadband infrastructure and help ensure every American has access to high-speed internet, with one in four households expected to be eligible for a $30-per-month subsidy to pay for internet.

Electric grid: Though many clean-energy measures were cut from the bill to satisfy spending-weary lawmakers, a $65 billion investment will help upgrade the nation’s electricity grid, with thousands of miles of new transmission lines and funds for environmentally friendly smart-grid technology.

Electric cars, buses and ferries: In addition to $7.5 billion for the nation’s first network of electric-vehicle chargers along highway corridors, lawmakers have shored up $5 billion for zero-emission buses (including thousands of electric school buses) and $2.5 billion for ferries.

Clean drinking water: Following high-profile water-supply crises plaguing cities like Flint, Michigan, the legislation includes a provision for $55 billion to replace all the nation’s lead pipes and service lines, representing the largest investment in clean drinking water ever.

Great rivers and lakes: Among the bill’s $48 billion for water infrastructure improvements, about $1 billion is slated to go toward the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, a sweeping clean-up measure targeting toxic hot spots—or areas of heavy industrial pollution—around the Great Lakes region.

Airports: More than $25 billion has been allocated to help modernize America’s airports—funds the Airports Council International says will help tackle more than $115 billion worth of project backlogs.

Road safety: The deal invests $11 billion in transportation safety programs, including a new program to help states and localities reduce crashes and fatalities in their communities, particularly among cyclists and pedestrians.

Sources: Forbes, Zero Hedge

It’s snowing in DC … “non-essentials” need not report.

July 14, 2021

From the HomaFiles archives…
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Imagine that it’s snowing in DC today … err, kinda.

Not much on the ground … temp is 34 degrees … roads are clear … but those AccuWeather folks are saying more snow is coming.

Good enough for the Feds … to shut the government down.

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Archive photo … not from today!

* * * * *
Invariably, my absolute favorite public service message gets blasted on TV, radio and social media:

Due the inclement weather, non-essential Federal government workers do not have to report for work today.

The snow closure announcement always raises a fundamental question: Why do non-essential Federal government workers ever have to report for work?

My predictable advice: On the next snow day, why not change the locks and pass out new badges to people who self-selected as “essential” and trudged through the threatened-snow to come  to work.

Which raises another question: How many “non-essential” employees does the Federal government carry on its rolls?

(more…)

Shutdown: Brace for an onslaught of PFSD claims?

January 18, 2019

PFST  Post Furlough Stress Disorder
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Man, you can see this one coming from a mile away…

When the shutdown ends, I expect a flurry of TV lawyer ads soliciting furloughed government employees who suffer from PFSD.

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Further, I expect the basis PFSD claims to stem on a couple of alleged stressors…

(more…)

Gov’t Insider: “Agencies working more efficiently without them”

January 17, 2019

Let’s take a snapshot of the shutdown, starting with the demand side …

Seriously, has the partial government shutdown impacted you personally?

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Admittedly, my sample isn’t projectable, but — save for a couple of furloughed “non-essentials” — I have yet to run into anybody who has been impacted by the shutdown.

ABC-WaPo did run a projectable poll and found that 18% of Americans say they have been inconvenienced by the shutdown.

Take the converse of the WaPo findings:

82% of Americans have not been inconvenienced by the shutdown.

That’s less than 1 in 5 … and, it includes the furloughed gov’t employees who have certainly been inconvenienced.

Bottom line: From a demand perspective, the shutdown hasn’t been a particularly bad deal.

What about the supply side – the impact on government operations ?

(more…)

About those “non-essential” government employees…

January 3, 2019

The current partial government shutdown showcases one of my hot-button issues.

Best that I can tell, about 1 million government employees are impacted: about half of them are “essential” employees who must report to work and will be paid when the budget is resolved.

The other 500,000 are classified as “non-essential” … they get to stay home for the duration … and, will also be paid when the budget is resolved.

That raises 2 questions:

(1) why should non-essential employees get a better deal than essential employees (who have to work for their pay)?

(2) Why do non-essential employees ever have to report to work, and why do they ever get paid?

As I’ve said, I’ve been on this issue for awhile … and the shutdown gives me an opportunity to reprise a post on the subject from last winter … when you read “snow storm”, simply substitute the word “shutdown”.

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It’s snowing in DC … “non-essentials” need not report.

It’s snowing in DC today … err, kinda.

Not much on the ground … temp is 34 degrees … roads are clear … but those AccuWeaterher folks are saying more snow is coming.

Good enough for the Feds … to shut the government down.

image
Archive photo … not from today!

* * * * *
Just heard my absolute favorite public service message on TV:

Due the inclement weather, non-essential Federal government workers do not have to report for work today.

Maybe the Feds can use the snow storm to solve the budget bruhaha … here’s how.

(more…)

Taxes: In total, how much do Americans pay in taxes? For what? To whom?.

April 18, 2018

Since yesterday was tax day, I thought you might like to see a recap of how much dough (some) Americans fork over to the government …

Americans pay a tad over $5 trillion in taxes to the Feds, States and Local Governments.

Technical note: In government parlance, the taxes are called “revenue”.

By taxing authority

Drilling down, the $5 trillion is split roughly 50%-30%-20% to the Feds, States and Locals, respectively

Here’s more detail …

(more…)

Gov’t @ Work: Making $500k? Living in HUD housing? … No problem!

August 24, 2015

From the you can’t make this stuff up file …

A recent HUD IG report identified “families earning more than the maximum income for government-subsidized housing as an egregious abuse of the system. “

Some examples in the Washington Post:

  • A New York City family making $497,911 a year pays $1,574 a month to live in public housing in a three-bedroom apartment subsidized by taxpayers.
  • A tenant with assets worth $1.6 million — including stocks, real estate and retirement accounts — pays $300 for a one-bedroom apartment in public housing in Oxford, Neb.

These are extreme cases, but they’re not alone: about 2.5% of the 1.1 million families in the country who live in public housing have incomes over the HUD maximums.

 

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So, why is this happening and what is HUD doing about it?

(more…)

Gov’t @ Work: A lesson in cost-benefit analysis.

July 10, 2015

The Inspector General for the Social Security Administration released a report on the SSA’s track record for detecting and collecting overpayments – amounts paid to people in excess of what they’re entitled to receive.

Here’s the good news …

“Generally, SSA attempts to collect overpayments regardless of the amount.”

 

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Here’s the bad news …

(more…)

Your tax dollars at work …

April 16, 2015

According to WashPost

Government records show that tens of thousands of federal workers are being kept on paid leave for at least a month — and often for longer stretches that can reach a year or more — while they wait to be punished for (or cleared of ) misbehavior or are disputing a demotion.

While disputing a demotion?

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Here are some details that’ll make you cringe …

(more…)

Feds make $125 billion in “improper payments” … whoa, Nellie.

March 18, 2015

In these days of Moneyball and Team Obama’s campaign technology apparatus that could pin down the ice cream flavor that somebody eats, this shouldn’t happen.

But, it does.

The GAO just issued a report saying that the Feds made an estimated $125 billion (that’s billion with a “b”) in so-called “improper payments” in 2014

 

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 Here are some of the ugly details …

(more…)

How many Americans are older than 112 years old?

March 11, 2015

Before you answer, let me feed you  a couple of hints.

According to a government report:

In September 2013, a New York resident, believed to be the world’s oldest living man, died at age 112.

According to the Gerontology Research Group, as of October 2013, only 35 known living individuals worldwide had reached age 112.

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You’re thinking a pretty low number, right?

Well, let me rephrase the question: How many Americans does the Social Security Administration think are over 112?

The answer may surprise you …

(more…)

Taxes: In total, how much do Americans pay in taxes? For what? To whom?.

March 3, 2015

Since it’s tax time, I thought you might like to see a recap of how much dough (some) Americans fork over to the government …

image_thumb.png

Americans pay a tad over $5 trillion in taxes to the Feds, States and Local Governments.

Technical note: In government parlance, the taxes are called “revenue”.

By taxing authority

Drilling down, the $5 trillion is split roughly 50%-30%-20% to the Feds, States and Locals, respectively

Here’s more detail …

(more…)

Taxes: In total, how much do Americans pay in taxes? For what? To whom?.

January 21, 2015

Since yesterday Obama was pitching tax increases in the SOTU, I thought you might like to see a recap of how much dough (some) Americans fork over to the government …

image_thumb.png

Americans pay a tad over $5 trillion in taxes to the Feds, States and Local Governments.

Technical note: In government parlance, the taxes are called “revenue”.

By taxing authority

Drilling down, the $5 trillion is split roughly 50%-30%-20% to the Feds, States and Locals, respectively

Here’s more detail …

(more…)

Why aren’t Dems boasting about the jobs they “created”? I’ve got a hunch …

October 27, 2014

Last week, the NY Times took aim at the Obama-deniers – the Dem Senatorial candidates who wont even admit that they voted for the guy (even though they voted with the guy over 90% of the time).

Specifically, the Times blasted:

But one of the reasons for his unpopularity is that nervous members of his own party have done a poor job of defending his policies over the nearly six years of his presidency, allowing a Republican narrative of failure to take hold.

Few voters know that the 2009 stimulus bill contributed heavily to the nation’s economic recovery, saving and creating 2.5 million jobs.

I can nit pick that it should be “recovered” not created … and I could point out that full-time jobs are being replaced with part-time jobs … and I could pile on by mentioning that most of the jobs are in the low pay hospitality and retail industries.

But, I won’t do that, because I want to make another point.

 

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Let’s flashback to the Obama Stimulus …

(more…)

Your tax dollars at work …

October 22, 2014

According to WashPost

Government records show that tens of thousands of federal workers are being kept on paid leave for at least a month — and often for longer stretches that can reach a year or more — while they wait to be punished for (or cleared of ) misbehavior or are disputing a demotion.

While disputing a demotion?

clip_image002

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Here are some details that’ll make you cringe …

(more…)

FTC worried that “Dollar Stores” will raise prices … huh?

September 18, 2014

A few years ago, the FTC was hassling Sirius and XM Satellite Radio when they wanted to merge…. they fretted that a Sirius and XM would jack up subscription rates.

Apparently the FTC hadn’t heard of satellite radio’s main competitor – free, over-the-air broadcast radio,

The FTC pondered the case for so long, that the companies lost millions of dollars The companies finally merged, just in time to get one-upped by other media.

Now the FTC is turning its watchful eyes on the dollar stores.

 

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Here’s the story …

(more…)

Fed are raking in the dough … and still spending more than they get.

July 25, 2014

The WH-OMB estimates that, in FY 2014, the federal government will collect a record amount in inflation-adjusted tax revenues (i.e. taxes) while still running a deficit,


Source: CNS; See the Monthly Treasury Statement. for details

 

More specifically …

(more…)

Let’s go bowling … say, what?

July 16, 2014

According to Business Week

There was a growth spurt in bowling alleys after World War II. The U.S. added 2,000 bowling alleys between the end of World War II and 1958.

In 1958, the American Society of Planning Officials reported that “the bowling alley is fast becoming one of the most important—if not the most important—local center of participant sport and recreation.”

But, the bowling craze peaked and started to fade as folks found other ways to spend their spare time.

The U.S. had 4,061 bowling centers in 2012, down 25 percent from a high water mark in 1998.

 

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To counter the downward trend, bowling alleys are rebranding themselves as “bowling centers”, spiffing up the facilities, and adding ancillary entertainment (e.g. rock music, gaming arcades).

Following the industry lead,  “the exclusive bowling lanes reserved for White House employees and their guests are getting an upgrade.”  (more…)

Congress cut military pensions … did they cut their own?

December 20, 2013

The flap over the budget deal that cut military pensions – including those for disabled vets — resurrected an old question of mine: I’ve always wondered what retired members of the Congress and Senate got to live on when they retired.

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Here’s the scoop …

(more…)

Rx: How to start fixing the IRS …

May 20, 2013

OK, here’s my diagnosis – the Dx — and my short-term prescription – the Rx.

First, the Dx …

Of course, the Tea Party and other conservative groups were targeted for political purposes.

Any claim of “efficiency procedures” or “inadvertent error” are simply ridiculous.

Of course,  folks high up the food chain were involved … setting the broad mission (with Mob-like deniability) — “punish your enemies” –- and condoning the actions by failing to stop them them when they became well known.

So, what to do?

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Here is how I’d get started righting the ship … the Rx:

(more…)

Nums: Will the scandal hurt the IRS’s image?

May 17, 2013

Trick question since the public’s perception of the IRS is already pretty low

According to A Pew survey, the Internal Revenue Service, now under intense scrutiny for singling out conservative groups,  is one of the least-popular federal agencies.

Specifically. the IRS ranks 11th out of 14 agencies (the 13 listed below plus the Homeland Security Department) in terms of public perception of their performance.

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Only 47% of people surveyed said they had a “very” or “mostly” favorable opinion of the IRS.

Hmmm.

That pesky 47% number.

 

I guess that folks who don’t pay income taxes think that the IRS lightening everybody else’s wallets is way cool.

The IRS is the second-lowest among the 13 agencies people were asked about.

The only agencies ranking lower were Eric Holder’s Justice Department (38% excellent or good), the Social Security Administration (36%) and Arne Duncan’s Education Department (33%).

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Follow on Twitter @KenHoma           >> Latest Posts

Vanguard CEO: “Uncertainty the enemy of the economy” … I disagree”

April 29, 2013

In a WSJ editorial today, Vanguard CEO Bill McNabb says that …

Americans who seek to earn a living and save for the future are confused and discouraged.

Concerns of investors are asking: How does this affect my retirement fund? What about my college savings account? How does this affect my taxes? Would I be better off putting my savings under the mattress?

Firms can’t see a clear road to economic recovery ahead, so they’re not going to hire and they’re not going to spend.

It’s what economists call a “deadweight loss“.

He points to economic research that indicates U.S. economic policy uncertainty has been 50% higher in the past two years than it has been since 1985.

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Source: PolicyUncertainty.com 

The uncertainty revolves around regulatory policy, monetary policy, foreign policy and, most significantly, uncertainty about U.S. fiscal policy and the national debt.

Vanguard estimates that the rise in policy uncertainty has created a $261 billion cumulative drag on the economy … which adds up to more than one million jobs that we could have had by now, but don’t.

Mr. McNabb makes a strong argument.

But, I respectfully disagree.

(more…)

An IRS agent, an FBI agent and a gardener ….

April 22, 2013

No, this isn’t the lead line of a bad joke.

It’s a question of priorities.

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Let’s start with the gardener …

(more…)

Before you cut the football team, band, honors classes and hot lunches …. consider these places to cut government spending

April 17, 2013

According to an IBD recap

The Government Accountability Office’s latest annual report on government waste and duplication found 31 areas in the government that overlap, duplicate efforts or are egregiously inefficient.

That’s on top of the 131 found in its previous two annual reports …. the vast majority of which have been totally ignored by Obama’s crack team of budget-cutters.

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Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.), who pushed for this report, figures the latest examples alone add up to $95 billion — more than the spending cuts under this year’s “sequester.”

Here are some of head-scratchers that the GAO found …

(more…)

Taxes: In total, how much do Americans pay in taxes? For what? To whom?.

April 16, 2013

Since yesterday was tax day, I thought you might like to see a recap of how much dough (some) Americans fork over to the government …

Americans pay a tad over $5 trillion in taxes to the Feds, States and Local Governments.

Technical note: In government parlance, the taxes are called “revenue”.

By taxing authority

Drilling down, the $5 trillion is split roughly 50%-30%-20% to the Feds, States and Locals, respectively

Here’s more detail …

(more…)

Taxes: Did you hear me screaming yesterday?

April 11, 2013

Timing is everything, right?

Yesterday, like many – err, make that some Americans, I was putting the finishing touches on my 2012 tax returns (which are due in a couple of days).

Like some – err, make that a few Americans, I have to pay income taxes.

Yesterday morning I swallowed hard and wrote out the check … the big check.

Lots of money … at least half of it will be out-and-out wasted by a cost-bloated government machine,

Most of the rest will be spent on stuff that I don’t agree with or support.

OK, it’s still my civic duty, right?

Tried to put taxes out of my mind.

Then, President Obama unveils his new budget.

The chart below tells the story.

Lots of taxes and some phony “savings” against grossly escalating budgets.

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Source

Bottom line: those who already paying all the taxes should pay even more …

Couldn’t the President at least had the courtesy of waiting for the ink to dry on my check before calling me out as a piker and saying I wasn’t paying my fair share.

Gimme a break, man.

You’re making ME want to stop working …

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Follow on Twitter @KenHoma                         >> Latest Posts

Barack Obama, Derek Bell … and “Operation Shutdown”

March 7, 2013

Last Saturday, my son forwarded a friend’s Tweet to me:

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Hmmm.

Started me thinking … Sequester announced on Friday … slow down on Saturday … coincidence?

Then, Obama announces that he’s shutting down White House tours because of the Sequester – the Presidential version of taking his bat & ball and going home.

Wait a second: I’ve seen this play before … bat & ball, Operation Shutdown.

Of course.

It’s the Derek Bell story.

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The year was 2002.

(more…)

WaPo: Public SUPPORTS the Sequester’s budget cuts almost 2-to-1 …

March 6, 2013

Hot off the wire …

Despite the Administration’s dire warnings, the release of jailed  criminal immigrants and the slower-than-usual TSA checks …

The  Washington Post is reporting survey results indicating that 61% of folks support the Sequester’s budget cuts overall … though 60% oppose the cuts to military spending.

Said differently, folks overwhelmingly support the non-military donestic spending cuts.

That’s huge!

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Here are some interesting details …

(more…)

It’s snowing in DC … “non-essentials” need not report.

March 6, 2013

It’s snowing in DC today … err, kinda.

Not much on the ground … temp is 34 degrees … roads are clear … but those AccuWeaterher folks are saying more snow is coming.

Good enough for the Feds … to shut the government down.

image
Archive phote … not from today!

* * * * *
Just heard my absolute favorite public service message on TV:

Due the inclement weather, non-essential Federal government workers do not have to report for work today.

Maybe the Feds can use the snow storm to solve the Sequester bruhaha … here’s how.

(more…)

Hey Arne: Which Federal government agency is rated lowest?

March 5, 2013

Last week, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan was racking up Pinocchios, trying to whip up some Sequester hysteria.

He said that the world will end if the Fed’s Ed budget is cut by 2% … 40,000 will lose their jobs.

Hmmm.

His analysis was quickly debunked but, for me,  it prompted a fundamental question: how is the Dept. of Education doing?

Today, let’s look at perceptions.

Bottom line:  folks – you know, taxpayers – the Ed Dept’s  “customers” —  rate the Dept. of Education the lowest among Federal Agencies … and the agency with the sharpest decline.

A Pew Research poll reports that …

Despite spending hundreds of billions of dollars over the past couple of decades, the Department of Education gets the fewest favorability nods for Americans … only 40% give it a favorable rating … and its favorability rating is falling faster than any other agency.

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The Education Dept’s low ratings aren’t that surprising since the U.S. is constantly reported to be trailing other developed nations in math, science and other basic skills … and since every politician lasers in on our need to fix public education (while protecting the sanctity of the teachers’ unions).

Want more analysis?

(more…)

Kerry threatens 6,000 teachers’ jobs … Where’s the outrage?

March 4, 2013

Last week, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan was shrilling on behalf of the Chicken Little crowd that because of the Sequester  40,000 teachers would lose their jobs.

His claim was quickly debunked, but he left a lasting impression .. on me, at least.

“Dollars” don’t have emotional impact any more.

So, let’s start thinking in terms of full-time teacher equivalents (FTTEs).

Duncan got his estimate by assuming that an average teacher makes $70,000.

Maybe in Chicago they do.

But, according to PayScale.com the national average  is in the mid-40s.

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Let’s do a hard round for arithmetic convenience and call it $50,000.

Here’s what Kerry did, evaluated using the new metric full-time teacher equivalents (FTTEs) …

(more…)

Obama was wrong, Annie was right … case closed!

March 1, 2013

Yesterday, while the President was ringing Sequester Armageddon alarm bells, Annie was  pitching calm and confidence.

The sun’ll come out tomorrow
Bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow there’ll be sun
Just thinkin’ about tomorrow
Clears away the cobwebs and the sorrow till there’s none

When I’m stuck with a day that’s gray and lonely
I just stick out my chin and grin and say

The sun’ll come out tomorrow
So you got to hang on till tomorrow, came what may
!

* * * * *
If you need an upper today …

click to listen it’ll make you feel better, for sure.

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I say, Annie for President !
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Follow on Twitter @KenHoma            >> Latest Posts

OMG: Sequester puts the football season is at risk …

February 28, 2013

OK, here’s the silliness of the day ….

The fiscal pin prick (aka, the “Catastrophic Sequester”) puts this fall’s college football season at risk …  at least for the National Champions — the University of Alabama.

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Apparently, the only thing that can possibly be cut from the FAA budget are the air traffic controllers at the Tuscaloosa, Alabama airport on Crimson Tide football weekends.

According to Channel 42 WIAT News:

Looming budget cuts from the Federal Aviation Administration could have an impact on the next college football season.

Budget cuts could include eliminating local air traffic controllers at the Tuscaloosa Regional Airport.

We’re told that the airport wouldn’t shut down, but pilots would fly in and out using “visual flight rules” and Birmingham’s air traffic system.

Hundreds of flights come in and out of the Tuscaloosa  Airport during the football season.

This development is mind-blowing for a couple of reasons …

(more…)

Fugetaboutit: Maybe 40,000 teachers won’t lose their jobs …

February 28, 2013

Arne Duncan – Secretary of Education – has been the  one Obama cabinet member who seemed competent to most people.

Then, he jumped on Obama’s Sequester Armageddon train, claiming that:

  • 40,000 teachers were going to lose their jobs, and
  • School districts had already started laying off teachers because of the Sequester

Oops.

That earned the dude 4 Pinocchios from the Washington Post for “Significant factual errors and/or obvious contradictions.”

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Here’s the real story …

According to the Post’s factchecker

Regarding the 40,000 jobs:

An aide to Duncan described it as a “rough back-of-the-envelope calculation,” derived by dividing the average pay and benefits of a teacher — $70,000 — by the amount — $2.8 billion — that needed to be cut in education programs.

But, school districts and states may find many ways to juggle funds or reduce expenses to avoid losing many teachers, which is what has happened during previous periods of financial stress.

Keep in mind that local taxes (i.e. real estate taxes) fund about 90% of teachers. … and, remember that most districts are now bloated with administrators feeding the Federal bear with paper.

Regarding the layoffs already occurring:

The Education Department for days was unable to cough up the name of a single school district where these notices had been delivered.

Then, Duncan appeared before the White House press corps and produced a name — Kanawha County in West Virginia.

But, no one in the county seemed to know what Duncan was talking about, including the education reporters who cover the school district for the Charleston, W.V., newspapers.

“There’s very little sequestration-related panic, at least on the education side of things,” one reporter said.

Our colleague Lyndsey Layton helped unravel the mystery.

She discovered that these were not layoffs, but rather “transfer notices” sent to 104 Title I teachers for reasons unrelated to the sequestration cuts.

In other words, Duncan was peddling a made-up story.

Good luck rebuilding your cred, Arne.

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Follow on Twitter @KenHoma             >> Latest Posts

Ready to Rumble: Woodward vs. Obama (and the rest of the media) …

February 28, 2013

Perhaps, the first break in the mass media ranks.

In a Washington Post blog post, famous journalist Bob Woodward:

  • Repeated his claim that the Sequester idea came from Obama and his sidekick Jack Lew
  • Declared that Obama is now constantly moving the Sequester’s goalposts

Well, that didn’t sit well with the White House.

Woodward told CNN that a “very senior person” at the White House warned him in an email that he would “regret doing this,”

Uh-oh.

Woodward countered on MSNBC, calling Obama’s hysterical Sequester claims “…  a kind of madness that I haven’t seen in a long time.“

click to view

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I don’t think this bruhaha is over.

Team O isn’t attacking Rush or Hannity … they’re shooting at a journalistic institution.

This one will be fun to watch.

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Want to read the transcript?

(more…)

WARNING: Graphic image of a catastrophe …

February 27, 2013

With only a day or two until Armageddon

… until life as we know it ends

… or until, at least, the sky falls

… let’s put the Sequester in perspective.

This single graphic says more than a thousand words … or, in Obama’s case, a couple of thousand words,

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Source

Please, sleep well tonight … I think the Nation can absorb this fiscal pin prick.

Thanks to MC for feeding the lead.

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Follow on Twitter @KenHoma               >> Latest Posts

Want to know the difference between the private sector and the government?

February 27, 2013

Today, a couple of big Wall Street firms announced another round of cuts:

  • Citigroup plans to slash 11,000 jobs and close branches worldwide as part of a broad restructuring effort it hopes will save about $1.1 billion in expenses,
  • JPMorgan Chase became the latest Wall Street firm to scale back in an uncertain economy, announcing plans Tuesday to save $1 billion through various costs cuts and about 4,000 job reductions.
  • Goldman – which has already let 3,300 employees go worldwide in the past two years – announced another round of layoffs to cut costs by a cool billion dollars

OK, so 3 companies are cutting over $3 billion in expense.

No gnashing of teeth ,,, no “the sky is falling”

Just “times are tough … we’ve gotta do it.”

No so on the Sequester front … apparently the torch has officially been passed from the 12-21-12 Doomsday crowd to Team Obama …

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Today was another day of .hysteria  … and silly rhetoric.

Allegedly, Obama said that – because of the Sequester – an already closed agency would have to be shuttered.

Say, what?

And, here’s the gem of the day …

(more…)

Ouch: Sequestration gets personal …

February 22, 2013

The band, the football team, the honors program, hot lunches … and the Blue Angels.

Every year, a friend holds a BBQ at their home on Annapolis’ Severn River on the Naval Academy’s graduation day.

Why?

Because the Blue Angels put on an awesome show as part of the graduation ceremony.

Well, maybe not this year.

According to the Baltimore Business Journal:  Blue Angels shows in Annapolis, Ocean City are jeopardized by sequestration.

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I’m bummed … and a bit perplexed by the accounting.

The Feds claim the Navy will save $28 million.

Other than the fuel that the Angels burn, where’s the cost savings.

They’re not going to fire jettison the pilots or sell the planes, right?

Sounds like the Feds need a crash course on marginal accounting.

Thanks to SMH for feeding the bad news.

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Follow on Twitter @KenHoma                         >> Latest Posts

Answer to Sequestration: pray for snow !

February 22, 2013

The news broadcasts today are talking a lot about Sequestration and Snowstorm Q.

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Let’s connect those dots …

(more…)

Football, band, honors classes, hot lunches … and dead cows … say, what?

February 21, 2013

This is getting downright silly.

Sequestration will cut less than 3% of Federal spending … about the amount that was granted to Hurricane Sandy states in the whisk of a pen.

Still, President Obama had to broadcast dire consequences in front of a group of firemen … who will have to be laid off, probably causing small children to die in fires.

Give me a break.

We covered this topic earlier this week Football, band, honors classes and hot lunches … here we go again.

Apparently, the folks at Business Insider didn’t read the post.

Evidence?

An article titled “11 Ways The Sequestration Will Ravage The US Government“ … replete with an alarming picture of dead cows.

Technical note: It’s no clear o me how the sequestration will do the cows in.

Also, it’s not clear to me that the cows aren’t just taking a snooze.

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What are the 11 Ways The Sequestration Will Ravage The US Government? 

(more…)

Football, band, honors classes and hot lunches … here we go again.

February 18, 2013

When I was a kid, the local school board would biennially warn that football, the band, the honors program and hot lunches would be cut unless a levy was passed to boost real estate taxes.

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I remember that – even as a kid – it sounded like a bunch of bull.

Sometimes the levies passed. Sometimes they didn’t.

Regardless of the vote, the stadium lights still glowed bright on Friday nights, the smart kids still got their honors courses, and the cafeteria kept serving up hot slop.

Today’s equivalent of football, band, honors and lunches is Obama’s dire warning that there will be dire consequences if sequestration happens.

Just for openers, the White House says it has no choice but to put the following on the chopping block:

(more…)

Getting financial houses in order … and not.

January 16, 2013

Here are a couple of charts that put things in perspective

Ask yourself: Which one doesn’t isn’t like the others?

* * * * *
Consumers have been deleveraging.

The ratio of mortgage debt to disposable income has retreated by 20 percentage points and continues to fall.

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More broadly, the percentage of disposable income servicing household debt is at a historic low …

(more…)

Oink: Porking deficit reduction … say,what?

January 3, 2013

Nice recap  in the WSJ today outing the pork that was sausaged into the deficit-adding Fiscal Cliff Bill:

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Here’s a sampling:

  • Michigan Democrat Debbie Stabenow was able to retain an accelerated tax write-off for owners of Nascar tracks (cost: $78 million
  • New Mexico’s Jeff Bingaman saved a tax credit for companies operating in American Samoa ($62 million), including a StarKist factory.
  • Distillers are able to drink to a $222 million rum tax rebate.
  • Businesses located on Indian reservations will receive $222 million in accelerated depreciation.

The WSJ gave special recognition to Chris Dodd, the former Senator who lobbied for Hollywood’s movie studios … getting a provision that allows film and television producers to expense the first $15 million of production costs incurred in the United States … this Hollywood special will cost the Treasury $430 million in 2013 and 2014.

Consumers will get tax credits for buying plug-in motorcycles ($7 million).

Do the jabrones in Washington have no shame?

You can’t reduce the debt by adding to the deficit.

It’s that simple guys.

* * * * *
Follow on Twitter @KenHoma       >> Latest Posts

Sweetheart deal: Board member gets a premium priced buyback

December 20, 2012

In the private sector, this would be be grounds for a perp-walk.

But, not in government world, I guess.

The headline: GM to Buy Back Stock From Treasury

The story:

General Motors (aka. Government Motors) announced that it will purchase 200 million shares of stock held by the U.S. Treasury Department.

The auto maker will pay $5.5 billion for the shares.

The repurchase price of $27.50 a share represents a 7.9% premium over the closing price on Dec. 18.

After the repurchase, the U.S. Treasury will continue to own approximately 300 million shares of GM common stock, or approximately 19% of the outstanding shares on a fully-diluted basis.

GM expects to take a charge of approximately $400 million in the fourth quarter, which will be treated as a special item.

OK, let work through the pieces …

Even at the inflated price, since the Feds bought i at the $33 IPO   taxpayers will incur a trading loss of $5.50 per share … totaling to $1.1 billion.

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GM’s largesse in premium pricing the deal “saved” taxpayers about $400 million.

Keep in mind, this is hardly an arm’s length transaction.

And, we the people still own 300 million shares … representing a paper loss of another $2 billion.

Gentlemen start your engines …

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Follow on Twitter @KenHoma             >> Latest Posts

Reality: The end of “cake & eat it”

December 9, 2012

Why the DC gridlock re: taxes & spending?

First, while Obama won a relatively slim majority of the countrywide macro vote … the GOP won a majority of the district-by-district micro vote.

In other words, the whole doesn’t equal the sum of the parts.

Further, as argued by Jay Cost in an Insightful Weekly Standard piece, people don’t really grasp the perilous financial situation the US is in … in part, because past economic growth rates have insulated folks from the hard choice of higher taxes or lower spending.

They’ve been able to have their cake … and eat it, too.

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Here’s the essence of Cost’s argument:

(more…)

The election in a nutshell … maybe jobs don’t matter as much any more!

October 18, 2012

There’s a sobering,  must read editorial in the WSJ today … Can Government Benefits Turn an Election?

Here are key points …

The federal government’s 120 means-tested programs today provide $1 trillion of benefits.

  • Unemployment insurance has stretched to 99 weeks
  • Record numbers of unemployed have qualified for disability benefits
  • Food stamps recipients have increase 40% to almost 50 million

The spending for these programs has grown 2½ times faster during the Obama presidency than in any other comparable period in American history.

To what extent might these benefits not just foster dependency but also make the economy’s performance seem less of a deciding factor in voters’ choices?

If you are concerned about your well-being and worried about a failed recovery — but getting new help from the government— do you vote for the candidate who promises more jobs or do you support the candidate who promises more government benefits?

Voters have historically set high standards and voted out incumbents not because they personally disliked them.

Rather, they’ve elected a new president because they understood the importance of a strong economy to their jobs, their income and the future prospects of their children.

Based on the economy, Mr. Obama should lose on Nov. 6. Yet it seems implausible that tens of millions of Americans who have received additional government benefits during his presidency can be completely unaffected by that largess. The election will test the relative power of private-sector aspirations and public-sector dependence.

Based on the economy, Mr. Obama should lose on Nov. 6.

Yet it seems implausible that tens of millions of Americans who have received additional government benefits during his presidency can be completely unaffected by that largess.

The election will test the relative power of private-sector aspirations and public-sector dependence.

Keep in mind that most jobs being created are relatively low paying service sector jobs … an increasing number of which are part-time … in part of duck Fed regulations and taxes (think, ObamaCare).

To get a visceral sense of the electoral “tension”, read Threats to Assassinate Romney Explode After Debate.

And, consider that an increasing number of folks feel that they are paying their fair  share (or more) with the government wasting much or most of the taxes it takes in …   what if those folks decide it’s not worth 60 hour weeks any more any more and shift into neutral?

This year’s election won’t be the end of the process … regardless of the outcome.

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Just in time for tonite’s debate … battery maker A123 files for bankruptcy.

October 16, 2012

Hot off the wires from Bloomberg

A123 Systems —  the electric car battery maker that received a $249 million federal grant —  filed for bankruptcy protection after failing to make a debt payment that was due yesterday.

There is “no assurance” that A123 will be able to find a way to continue to operate its business as a going concern, the company said.

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For those keeping score,  Solyndra left taxpayers holding a  $535 million loan guarantee granted by the U.S. Energy Department.

Dennis Miller: “Just quit !”

September 29, 2012

Dennis Miller – comedian & political commentator – does a regular Wednesday nite segment on O’Reilly.

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This Wednesday, he was unusually provocative by commenting:

If you’ve got a family of 4 and you’re busting your hump 40 or 60 hours a week – maybe 2 jobs — to make $45 grand and make ends meet … if Obama gets re-elected, just quit. 

Kick back … take the handouts and enjoy life. 

You can make just as much just sitting around …

If you don’t, those who are just  riding the train will be laughing at you. 

Why keep hitting your head against the wall?

Paraphrased from O’Reilly 9-26-12

Struck me at the time as akin to Rick Santelli’s “We need a Tea Party” rant on CNBC.

O’Reilly tried to soften the blow by bloviating (his word) about the American work ethic and how “most Americans have too much pride to stop working … that being on the dole has a stigma attached to it”

O’Reilly’s words seemed quite hollow in comparison to Miller’s.

And, reminded me of the government government promotional campaign to counter the “pride and other beliefs” that keep people from signing up for the SNAP program and getting food stamps.

The USDA has adopted a range of strategies and programs designed to bring more people to SNAP, including taking on “pride.”

Local assistance offices have been rewarded for “counteracting” pride and pushing more people to sign up for benefits.

The Ashe County Department of Social Services in Jefferson, N.C., for example, received a “Gold” award for confronting “mountain pride” and increasing food stamp participation.

“Eventually, many accepted assistance from the Low Income Energy Assistance Program, the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary program, and others, in some cases doubling a household’s net income. In 1 year, SNAP participation increased over 10 percent.”

Overcoming “beliefs” is a stated method from the USDA to bring more people to the program.

A “Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Community Outreach Partner Toolkit” details the importance of reaching people who … have beliefs that conflict with accepting food stamps.

Excerpted from the Daily Caller

Since the USDA has “mountain pride” in the win column, will “work pride” be the next to fall?

I think Miller is onto something.

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Which Federal government agency is rated lowest?

September 24, 2012

Answer: the Department of Education

As Nick Cannon would say on AGT, “America has voted … via a Pew Research poll.

Despite spending hundreds of billions of dollars over the past couple of decades*, the Department of Education gets the fewest favorability nods for Americans …  only 40% give it a favorable rating … and its favorability rating is falling faster than any other agency.

The Education Dept’s low ratings aren’t that surprising since the U.S. is constantly reported to be trailing other developed nations in math, science and other basic skills … and since every politician lasers in on our need to fix public education (while protecting the sanctity of the teachers’ unions).

Second lowest is the IRS … also not surprising given its adversarial role versus citizens …  imagine the IRS rating once the 15,000 new agents start enforcing the ObamaCare mandates on companies and individuals.

I was surprised to see the low rating for the Social Security Administration … especially since its primary mission is handing out money.  Best hypothesis I can conjure is that the SSA is generally regarded as a hassle to deal with, and probably gets the brunt of ill-feelings when folks can’t make ends meet when on Social Security.

Initially, I was most surprised to see the comparatively high score for the oft-maligned Post Office … with an 89% favorability score, it’s 10 points higher than #3 – the Center for Disease Control.

Come to think of it, the Post Office hasn’t disappointed me often – especially given the number of transactions it handles.  In fact, our local Post Office and our neighborhood mail carrier provide really good service.  I guess that happens when people are customers not captives, and when there is some private enterprise competitors keeping the system somewhat on its toes.

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* Source re: Dept. of Education Spending

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Is the Federal government a good value?

August 28, 2012

A Kaiser Foundation survey asked folks:

Thinking about all that the Federal government does for you, do you think that you get more or less value than what you pay in taxes?

The results

  • Less than 10% said that they got more value than what they paid in taxes.
  • About 1/3 thought they got about the right value for taxes paid
  • More than half of the respondents said that they got less value than what they paid in taxes.

Of course, the last finding is most interesting since it’s a majority … and since about half of the folks don’t pay any income taxes.

Hmmm

* * * * * *

Source question

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