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	Name:	Talullahhound -
	Subject:	BTW Hound
	Date:	2/21/2011 7:49:50 AM

I'm well aware the SS was not supposed to be a retirement plan, but for so many people, it is their sole income in their old age.

I'm afraid your contention that government activities can be outsourced and done more cheaply by private industry is, for the most part, a myth. Under Clinton/Gore a lot of government activities were outsourced and I can tell you that in practice, on the whole that just isn't true. It costs virtually the same for a government person or a contract person to do the job -- and in some cases more. And the accountability is not any better either.
Do I think the government could be downsized? Definitely. But what happens is that when the cuts come they are "salami sliced" and not targeted. For example, a 20% cut will come down and each activity get the same percentage it has to reduce, and not for specific activities.
There is a lot of redundancy in government and that is what needs to be either consolidated or eliminated. But, it can't be done over night or by some political commission on the Hill. It's entrenched. One example, I knew an office with 3 people (one of whom was a Senior Executive)and a $1M budget that contracted with a firm to produce a report that no one used. And my boss tried to get it killed. Do you think any of the political appointees would take that on? No. As far as I know, it's still being produced. Now that is a small example, but lots of little $1M will add up across the government.
I, of course, am watching Obama's efforts to consolidate the Export Control community.
I think it is a great idea, but I'm not optimistic. And I can tell you that business thinks that is a great idea.