Explosions at Boston Marathon

[rah]

I couldn't disagree more SAVA. Yes, sometimes it's ok to run deficit spending, but it should never be used because of poor management.
States like Illinois have governed with a blind eye for way too long by Ignoring pension obligation and increases social welfare expenditures. It's public officials refused to make any hard decisions and instead continued to appease voters by spending money they didn't have. Some states will put a side surplus revenues for a rainy day. Just like a household. Even in good years, Illinois has been negligent.

[Jon Miller]

Every organization I've worked at has been the same in one respect: when the end of the year rolls around, everyone goes on a buying spree to empty the remainder of their budget.

Why?

Because it they don't, there is a real danger that their budget for the next year will be reduced since it's "obvious' that they don't need all of it.

This is true of private companies, public institutions, and government bureaucracies. They are the same in this respect.

What isn't the same is that the first two are limited in how far they can go with this by their actual revenues -- sooner or later, somebody will move to limit or reduce those budgets regardless. Governments, as you say, can exceed their revenues, so there is no preessure.

Then how will governments ever 'save for a rainy day'.

Or is the solution to take out debt and then inflate away?

JM

[DinoDoc]

It could be done in a meaningful way [we certainly have school bonds and such that are temporary]. Whether it would... who knows.

I would accept even one example of a temporary tax. After all there was a "temporary tax" eneacted on phone service enacted to pay for the Spanish American War that was only partially repealed in 2006.

[Hauldren Collider]

Virginia has a "rainy day fund" that the tax surplus goes to so that if we need to call up the national guard we have the funds and don't have to take out debt. Of course, this depends on the state managing to run a surplus year after year. Luckily we have responsible government in Richmond.

[The Mad Monk]

Then how will governments ever 'save for a rainy day'.

Or is the solution to take out debt and then inflate away?

JM

How indeed? How much have they saved to date?

Congrats on the single post, BTW.

[Sava]

I couldn't disagree more SAVA. Yes, sometimes it's ok to run deficit spending, but it should never be used because of poor management.
States like Illinois have governed with a blind eye for way too long by Ignoring pension obligation and increases social welfare expenditures. It's public officials refused to make any hard decisions and instead continued to appease voters by spending money they didn't have. Some states will put a side surplus revenues for a rainy day. Just like a household. Even in good years, Illinois has been negligent.

You seem to mistake my comments as being supportive of the State of Illinois' problems.

There is a lot of misinformation about the pension issue. The benefits to pension recipients in the last 30 years has grown less than the rate of inflation... and future projections are also likely to grow slower than inflation.

It's easy to make state workers out to be the boogeymen. But it simply isn't true. It's also a cop out.

Considering this is a long-term issue... it would make more sense to be outraged at the various privatization deals. Though, this is more a Chicago issue. But even still, those deals took a lot of long term revenue off the table for some very small short term boosts to local budgets.

To frame the issue as a choice between welfare payments versus state fiscal health is willfully ignorant at best.

[Sava]

Every organization I've worked at has been the same in one respect: when the end of the year rolls around, everyone goes on a buying spree to empty the remainder of their budget.

Why?

Because it they don't, there is a real danger that their budget for the next year will be reduced since it's "obvious' that they don't need all of it.

This is true of private companies, public institutions, and government bureaucracies. They are the same in this respect.

What isn't the same is that the first two are limited in how far they can go with this by their actual revenues -- sooner or later, somebody will move to limit or reduce those budgets regardless. Governments, as you say, can exceed their revenues, so there is no preessure.

Sure. It's organizational self-preservation. Instead of whining about it, an effective strategy would seem to take into account the realities of such organizational behavior.

But instead, it seems as if the debate revolves around placing blame on someone for the problem... looking to exact some sort of punishment on these perceived troublemakers (state workers, in the case of Illinois)... but nowhere do I ever see any comprehensive plans that involve taking into account organizational or individual human behavior.

People get riled up and are determined to fight the boogeyman.

How about examining the structural issues and developing policies to compensate for such problems? Or better yet... policies that promote more efficient results by means of incentives?


Everyone likes to complain about the problem. Solutions, however, require a lot of work. I understand the catharsis that complaining provides. But what's the saying? If you aren't part of the solution...

[Sava]

This is quite the threadjack.

[Sava]

Did you guys see the picture of the cowboy hate guy rushing along side the dude who had his leg blown off? Here's his story:

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/cowboy-hat-hero-boston-marathon-watches-carnage-losing/story?id=18963955#.UW2l4Mq2prs

[DinoDoc]

Did you hear? The Boston Bombings were caused by the Sequester:

At his weekly Capitol briefing Tuesday, House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer said the explosions in Boston demonstrates “why having the ability to dress security concerns is important,” and thus provides more evidence that sequestration should be turned off.

http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/hoyer-boston-attack-is-proof-if-proof-is

[Hauldren Collider]

Oh my god. He lost two sons? That's horrible

I think part of what is so disgusting about this attack is that it literally blew the legs off of people whose life was about running.

[rah]

You seem to mistake my comments as being supportive of the State of Illinois' problems.

No, actually I didn't think you were being supportive.

To frame the issue as a choice between welfare payments versus state fiscal health is willfully ignorant at best.

No the issue was the state has know about many of this issues for many years but refuses to do anything about it because they're more concerned about being re-elected.
Why fix the pension issue when you can manipulate it to make sure they can guarantee themselves ludicrous pensions in the 100's of thousands of dollars a year.

[The Mad Monk]

Sure. It's organizational self-preservation. Instead of whining about it, an effective strategy would seem to take into account the realities of such organizational behavior.

Everybody except government does.

[Sava]

No the issue was the state has know about many of this issues for many years but refuses to do anything about it because they're more concerned about being re-elected.

Hmm. You seem adept at reading minds and understanding individual motives. Maybe check to see if the psychic hotline is hiring. They're always looking for good people.

Sadly, your opinion regarding the motives of elected officials in the state of Illinois is irrelevant. Again... the whole "if you aren't part of the solution" bit.

Why fix the pension issue when you can manipulate it to make sure they can guarantee themselves ludicrous pensions in the 100's of thousands of dollars a year.

This is just an absurd statement. If there are any pensions that exceed $100k, they are few and far between... and a miniscule fraction of the state's budget issues.

Considering you wish to avoid dealing with facts and reality on this matter, might I suggest you join one of those Revolutionary War cosplay clubs. I'm sure they could use a drummer boy.

[Sava]

Everybody except government does.

How so?

Are you under the impression that is what you are doing?

It seems like just more mindless jibber jabber to me. As someone who is in touch with their status as a mindless jibberer and jabberer, I would encourage you to stop living in denial. It's more fun when you admit you are part of the problem, rather than deluding yourself into thinking you are part of the solution.