The Billings Gazette delivers a steady stream of pro-government content. Today, May 4, 2017, the Gazette featured a typical smattering of pro-government news commentary, local business stories and feature stories. But at the bottom of the Gazette’s webpage there appeared a photo feature entitled: “Here’s what seven years of Greek austerity looks like.” See here. …
Category: Government’s reckless spending
May 02
Americans elect Republicans to cut government, and get . . . more government
Vast majorities of American voters have spoken. They want smaller, less intrusive government. For years, Americans have elected “conservative” Republicans who promise to cut government. Now, finally, Republicans control BOTH chambers of Congress, the presidency, the Supreme Court, the majority of state legislatures and the majority of state governorships. But the most recent budget agreement …
Apr 03
D.C. Daycare Operators Now Required to Have College Degrees
The District of Columbia has decreed that the directors of any licensed “Child Development Centers” — or day care — must have a “Bachelor of Arts (BA) in early childhood education or a BA with at least 15 semester credit hours in early childhood by Dec. 2022.” The regs also mandate that “teachers” possess at …
Mar 25
Obamacare stands! Republicans again betray the American people
For years, the American people have been voting for Republican politicians upon promises that those politicians would start cutting government. When Republicans occupy one chamber of Congress, they justify their failure to cut government on grounds that Democrats control the OTHER branch. When Republicans control both the House and the Senate, Republicans say they can’t …
Mar 07
Electric car sales in China collapse after government subsidies cease
Government-trusters everywhere seek to centrally plan the energy industry. Just as in the U.S., the government of China has been promoting “alternative energy” schemes for years. In the U.S, government-loving shysters like Elon Musk have bilked taxpayers out of at least $450 million while promoting electric-car pipe dreams. Similarly, in China the government has been …
Dec 11
Another sighting of the word ‘austerity’; it exists almost nowhere except in rhetoric
“Austerity” means cuts in government staff or welfare spending. The word appears often in false news, speeches of government trusters, and reporters. But austerity exists almost nowhere outside such rhetoric. None of the governments of the western world have done much cutting of their budgets. When George W. Bush won the presidency, the Republicans controlled …
Dec 03
Montana “liberal” governor proposes cutting 27 state troopers; Montana “conservatives” oppose
As Montana’s Democratic governor prepares to submit a budget to the Legislature, he is proposing small cuts to the Montana Highway Patrol, including a proposal to lay off 27 troopers. The troopers are clearly unnecessary. Montana’s roadways are safer than ever, and Montana vehicles are traveling more miles more safely than ever before. Now the …
Dec 01
Government schools have underperformed despite spending massively on administration
The graph above shows that government spending on “education” has increased massively while all outcomes have been flat. If this model were implemented by the private sector, everyone associated would be fired and the system would declare bankruptcy. Even worse, the spending has been directed disproportionately toward “administration” rather than actual instructors. See here.
Jul 07
U.S. Postal Service has lost more than $50 billion
Since 2007 the U.S. Postal Service has lost more than $50 billion. Its unfunded liabilities for its employees’ extravegent retirement benefits are nearly $100 billion. This despite having every advantage in the market place. Paying no taxes (property or income); being able to keep out competition; eminent domain; prestige locations, etc. Rural Post Offices are …
Jul 03
GAO discovers that some federal employees take YEAR-LONG vacations at taxpayer expense
Federal workers are practically gods walking among us. They are so overpaid and overrewarded with benefits that they represent modern feudal overlords overseeing peasants. A new study by the GAO has found that it is not unheard of for federal employees in the Department of Homeland Security to take entire months off of work–and in …
