10-17-2009, 06:41 AM
Jay is correct that this problem is not going away soon. I suggest that the budget issues with DOE are on a parallel track with our county. State and county have developed a decades old habit of mismanaging money (tax dollars). The first thing government looks to do is not change - reduce services but maintain the systems of bad management.
I do not doubt that an audit of DOE would show even worse management than our county LAO has shown in Public Works. My own estimate is that 40% of funding is wasted. If that could be cut in half then school days and a number of supply and salary issues would be solved. Cutting waste in half will require eliminating a number of unproductive and useless positions.
I see two choices:
A. Do nothing. Relax. Watch T.V. Let the government system reduce services and maintain waste. You pick up the slack as best you can.
B. Get Active. Press hard for better business practices and more open government. Write and call officials. Attend meetings. Support new candidates for office (maybe yourself). Vote.
If there is a third way please let me know.
I do not doubt that an audit of DOE would show even worse management than our county LAO has shown in Public Works. My own estimate is that 40% of funding is wasted. If that could be cut in half then school days and a number of supply and salary issues would be solved. Cutting waste in half will require eliminating a number of unproductive and useless positions.
I see two choices:
A. Do nothing. Relax. Watch T.V. Let the government system reduce services and maintain waste. You pick up the slack as best you can.
B. Get Active. Press hard for better business practices and more open government. Write and call officials. Attend meetings. Support new candidates for office (maybe yourself). Vote.
If there is a third way please let me know.
Assume the best and ask questions.
Punaweb moderator
Punaweb moderator