Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - Does the US government spend money efficiently?

onetime2 · 02-26-2004, 07:19 AM

This is really a two part discussion and it's not necessarily about one party or the other as both have been in power at various times and both have contributed to the current state of affairs.

Part I

With all the talk about the budget deficit and tax cuts, I have to ask. How many people believe the government as it exists now and will likely exist on into the next decade, does a good job of putting money where it needs to be and doing so efficiently (i.e., with as little waste as possible)?

My impressions, formed throughout many years of academic, professional, and private discussions, are that most agree that the government does a poor job of weeding out ineffective programs and/or eliminating waste. Do you think these impressions are true? Or, is there a large group of people out there who think, overall, the federal government is pretty good about budgeting and spending?

Part II

If, in fact, the government is lacking in budgeting/spending abilities what will change the current state?

IMO, giving it more money in the form of increased taxes, will only prolong the inefficiency.

How will the government ever be forced to more effectively allocate resources if it can continue to either deficit spend or raise taxes to cover their inefficiency?

I don't believe there is much disagreement in Part I, but am certainly open to the possibility. I suspect that somewhere between Part I and Part II there is a break in thinking between the two "sides". This post is meant to try to get productive discussions going that may allow us to look at other viewpoints without the partisan rhetoric.

02-26-2004, 07:19 AM	#1 (permalink)
onetime2 Junkie Location: NJ	Does the US government spend money efficiently? This is really a two part discussion and it's not necessarily about one party or the other as both have been in power at various times and both have contributed to the current state of affairs. Part I With all the talk about the budget deficit and tax cuts, I have to ask. How many people believe the government as it exists now and will likely exist on into the next decade, does a good job of putting money where it needs to be and doing so efficiently (i.e., with as little waste as possible)? My impressions, formed throughout many years of academic, professional, and private discussions, are that most agree that the government does a poor job of weeding out ineffective programs and/or eliminating waste. Do you think these impressions are true? Or, is there a large group of people out there who think, overall, the federal government is pretty good about budgeting and spending? Part II If, in fact, the government is lacking in budgeting/spending abilities what will change the current state? IMO, giving it more money in the form of increased taxes, will only prolong the inefficiency. How will the government ever be forced to more effectively allocate resources if it can continue to either deficit spend or raise taxes to cover their inefficiency? I don't believe there is much disagreement in Part I, but am certainly open to the possibility. I suspect that somewhere between Part I and Part II there is a break in thinking between the two "sides". This post is meant to try to get productive discussions going that may allow us to look at other viewpoints without the partisan rhetoric. __________________ Strive to be more curious than ignorant.