THE GAME PLAN FOR REDUCING FEDERAL SPENDING

Change The Rules

An earlier version of this was published here.

The simplest way to effect change in the federal government is through discretionary spending. Discretionary spending is the money that the federal government spends on stuff like, paper clips, No.2 pencils, lap tops, desk tops, travel, new projects, furniture etc. etc. etc.

The vast majority of discretionary spending occurs in the 4th quarter and in government parlance it is called “use it or lose it”. In other words IF you don’t spend all the money that Congress appropriated for the current fiscal year, the next fiscal year you’ll receive less. That’s the bureaucrat’s game.

Discretionary spending has nothing at all to do with mission as defined by Congress, or keeping agency doors open, fighting wars or printing and mailing SS checks. It is nothing but Christmas in September.

IF all discretionary spending was cut by 50% right now — no one would ever know it; except, of course, the GS 12 who was looking forward to a trip to a nice place for a “conference” or a European vacation on our dime or the GS 9 who just wanted a new stapler from Uncle Sam.

The federal budget is a game and once you change the rules you can win the game.

And here is the unexpected result — when you cut discretionary spending AND you impose an hiring freeze….. people leave government employment. It is true. It is akin to President Trump announcing deportation of illegal immigrants and watching the self-deportation begin. When the fancy furniture and newest lap top or the trip to Aspen or Rome for a conference is cancelled employees will leave government service.

If you really want to go for broke add a Reduction in Force (RIF) to the mix. You can call it a “lay off” leaving hope to the person who is being laid off that they will some day be called back or you can call it what it really is — a reduction in the total number of people in the federal workforce – e.g. Thank you for your service and good luck in you future endeavors.

Only a little bit of cooperation is needed from Congress but much can be accomplished simply by terminating agency programs that have not been put in place by Congress.

As the aptly named Porky Pig said:

Union, Kentucky

8 December 2024

Happy Birthday Debs!

Love you.