Problems with modern Government

“Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidise it” - Ronald Reagan

Original Gerrymander

Here's a collection of articles from just one day that show the many things wrong with the Federal Government today.

WASHINGTON EXAMINER: Federal pay hike? Let’s start with a freeze, then cut 10 percent.

The number of these government workers making more than $150,000 per year has more than doubled since President Obama took office, and it has increased tenfold since 2005, according to USA Today. In 2005, the Defense Department had nine civilian employees making more than $170,000. When Obama took office, the number had risen to 214. The number is now 994 -- an 11,000% increase in five years.

Obama has exacerbated the problem by creating 141,000 new federal jobs since he took office -- and that total doesn't count temporary census workers, the postal service or the uniformed military. Democrats are already talking about using the upcoming lame-duck legislation to grant the federal work force yet another pay increase, this time of 1.4 percent. Never mind that federal pay has increased 3 percent annually since 2005. Never mind that inflation has been nonexistent during that period, or that total compensation for federal bureaucrats has increased nearly four times faster than in the private sector.

Gerrymandering 101

Gerrymandering is not a new phenomenon. It’s been around since the very beginnings of our nation, so long that one could fairly say that the United States has been built on the principle of gerrymandering. The very first congressional districts were somewhat gerrymandered, and it’s been downhill ever since. The phenomenon was finally noticed and properly named in 1812 [in a Boston Gazette newspaper article with image above.]

Earmark Myths and Realities

By Sen. Tom Coburn

As Senate Republicans prepare to vote on an earmark moratorium, I would encourage my colleagues to consider four myths and four realities of the debate.
[See article for details.]

Congressmen pay wives from campaign funds

Practice is legal, but some see potential for abuse.

Bottom Line

Hopeless? Let's see what happens in the next two years with the newly elected, more conservative, government at all levels. If things do not improve, 2012 could be a very interesting year as both parties are rejected by the people.