[Vision2020] Fw: This could be big
Joe Campbell
philosopher.joe at gmail.com
Fri Apr 22 07:29:27 PDT 2011
Now I understand why we're gutting education! Chinese prostitutes!
Do you have "independent" verification for even one of these claims? I
thought not.
On Fri, Apr 22, 2011 at 6:06 AM, Gary Crabtree <jampot at roadrunner.com>wrote:
> From
> http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2009/10/50-examples-of-government-waste
>
> A few specific examples would be:
>
>
> 1. The federal government made at least *$72 billion* in improper
> payments in 2008.[1]<http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2009/10/50-examples-of-government-waste#_edn1>
> 2. Washington spends *$92 billion* on corporate welfare (excluding
> TARP) versus $71 billion on homeland security.[2]<http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2009/10/50-examples-of-government-waste#_edn2>
> 3. Washington spends *$25 billion* annually maintaining unused or
> vacant federal properties.[3]<http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2009/10/50-examples-of-government-waste#_edn3>
> 4. Government auditors spent the past five years examining all federal
> programs and found that 22 percent of them -- costing taxpayers a total of
> *$123 billion* annually -- fail to show any positive impact on the
> populations they serve.[4]<http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2009/10/50-examples-of-government-waste#_edn4>
> 5. The Congressional Budget Office published a "Budget Options" series
> identifying more than *$100 billion* in potential spending cuts.[5]<http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2009/10/50-examples-of-government-waste#_edn5>
> 6. Examples from multiple Government Accountability Office (GAO)
> reports of wasteful duplication include *342* economic development
> programs; *130* programs serving the disabled; *130* programs serving
> at-risk youth; *90* early childhood development programs; *75* programs
> funding international education, cultural, and training exchange activities;
> and *72* safe water programs.[6]<http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2009/10/50-examples-of-government-waste#_edn6>
> 7. Washington will spend *$2.6 million* training Chinese prostitutes to
> drink more responsibly on the job.[7]<http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2009/10/50-examples-of-government-waste#_edn7>
> 8. A GAO audit classified *nearly half of all purchases* on government
> credit cards as improper, fraudulent, or embezzled. Examples of
> taxpayer-funded purchases include gambling, mortgage payments, liquor,
> lingerie, iPods, Xboxes, jewelry, Internet dating services, and Hawaiian
> vacations. In one extraordinary example, the Postal Service spent *
> $13,500* on one dinner at a Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, including "over
> 200 appetizers and over $3,000 of alcohol, including more than 40 bottles of
> wine costing more than $50 each and brand-name liquor such as Courvoisier,
> Belvedere and Johnny Walker Gold." The 81 guests consumed an average of $167
> worth of food and drink apiece.[8]<http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2009/10/50-examples-of-government-waste#_edn8>
> 9. Federal agencies are delinquent on nearly 20 percent of employee
> travel charge cards, costing taxpayers *hundreds of millions of dollars
> * annually.[9]<http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2009/10/50-examples-of-government-waste#_edn9>
> 10. The Securities and Exchange Commission spent *$3.9 million*rearranging desks and offices at its Washington, D.C., headquarters.
> [10]<http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2009/10/50-examples-of-government-waste#_edn10>
> 11. The Pentagon recently spent *$998,798* shipping two 19-cent washers
> from South Carolina to Texas and *$293,451* sending an 89-cent washer
> from South Carolina to Florida.[11]<http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2009/10/50-examples-of-government-waste#_edn11>
> 12. *Over half of all farm subsidies* go to commercial farms, which
> report average household incomes of $200,000.[12]<http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2009/10/50-examples-of-government-waste#_edn12>
> 13. Health care fraud is estimated to cost taxpayers more than *$60
> billion* annually.[13]<http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2009/10/50-examples-of-government-waste#_edn13>
> 14. A GAO audit found that 95 Pentagon weapons systems suffered from a
> combined *$295 billion* in cost overruns.[14]<http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2009/10/50-examples-of-government-waste#_edn14>
> 15. The refusal of many federal employees to fly coach costs taxpayers
> *$146 million* annually in flight upgrades.[15]<http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2009/10/50-examples-of-government-waste#_edn15>
> 16. Washington will spend *$126 million* in 2009 to enhance the Kennedy
> family legacy in Massachusetts. Additionally, Senator John Kerry (D-MA)
> diverted $20 million from the 2010 defense budget to subsidize a new Edward
> M. Kennedy Institute.[16]<http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2009/10/50-examples-of-government-waste#_edn16>
> 17. Federal investigators have launched more than *20 criminal fraud
> investigations* related to the TARP financial bailout.[17]<http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2009/10/50-examples-of-government-waste#_edn17>
> 18. Despite trillion-dollar deficits, last year's 10,160 earmarks
> included *$200,000* for a tattoo removal program in Mission Hills,
> California; *$190,000* for the Buffalo Bill Historical Center in Cody,
> Wyoming; and *$75,000* for the Totally Teen Zone in Albany, Georgia.
> [18]<http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2009/10/50-examples-of-government-waste#_edn18>
> 19. The federal government owns more than *50,000 vacant homes*.[19]<http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2009/10/50-examples-of-government-waste#_edn19>
> 20. The Federal Communications Commission spent *$350,000* to sponsor
> NASCAR driver David Gilliland.[20]<http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2009/10/50-examples-of-government-waste#_edn20>
> 21. Members of Congress have spent *hundreds of thousands* of taxpayer
> dollars supplying their offices with popcorn machines, plasma televisions,
> DVD equipment, ionic air fresheners, camcorders, and signature machines --
> plus *$24,730* leasing a Lexus, *$1,434* on a digital camera, and *
> $84,000* on personalized calendars.[21]<http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2009/10/50-examples-of-government-waste#_edn21>
> 22. More than *$13 billion* in Iraq aid has been classified as wasted
> or stolen. Another *$7.8 billion* cannot be accounted for.[22]<http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2009/10/50-examples-of-government-waste#_edn22>
> 23. Fraud related to Hurricane Katrina spending is estimated to top *$2
> billion*. In addition, debit cards provided to hurricane victims were
> used to pay for Caribbean vacations, NFL tickets, Dom Perignon champagne,
> "Girls Gone Wild" videos, and at least one sex change operation.[23]<http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2009/10/50-examples-of-government-waste#_edn23>
> 24. Auditors discovered that *900,000* of the 2.5 million recipients of
> emergency Katrina assistance provided false names, addresses, or Social
> Security numbers or submitted multiple applications.[24]<http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2009/10/50-examples-of-government-waste#_edn24>
> 25. Congress recently gave Alaska Airlines *$500,000* to paint a
> Chinook salmon on a Boeing 737.[25]<http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2009/10/50-examples-of-government-waste#_edn25>
> 26. The Transportation Department will subsidize up to *$2,000 per
> flight* for direct flights between Washington, D.C., and the small
> hometown of Congressman Hal Rogers (R-KY) -- but only on Monday mornings and
> Friday evenings, when lawmakers, staff, and lobbyists usually fly. Rogers is
> a member of the Appropriations Committee, which writes the Transportation
> Department's budget.[26]<http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2009/10/50-examples-of-government-waste#_edn26>
> 27. Washington has spent *$3 billion* re-sanding beaches -- even as
> this new sand washes back into the ocean.[27]<http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2009/10/50-examples-of-government-waste#_edn27>
> 28. A Department of Agriculture report concedes that much of the *$2.5
> billion* in "stimulus" funding for broadband Internet will be wasted.
> [28]<http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2009/10/50-examples-of-government-waste#_edn28>
> 29. The Defense Department wasted *$100 million* on unused flight
> tickets and never bothered to collect refunds even though the tickets were
> refundable.[29]<http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2009/10/50-examples-of-government-waste#_edn29>
> 30. Washington spends *$60,000 per hour* shooting Air Force One
> photo-ops in front of national landmarks.[30]<http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2009/10/50-examples-of-government-waste#_edn30>
> 31. Over one recent 18-month period, Air Force and Navy personnel used
> government-funded credit cards to charge at least *$102,400* on
> admission to entertainment events, *$48,250* on gambling, *$69,300* on
> cruises, and *$73,950* on exotic dance clubs and prostitutes.[31]<http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2009/10/50-examples-of-government-waste#_edn31>
> 32. Members of Congress are set to pay themselves *$90 million* to
> increase their franked mailings for the 2010 election year.[32]<http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2009/10/50-examples-of-government-waste#_edn32>
> 33. Congress has ignored efficiency recommendations from the Department
> of Health and Human Services that would save *$9 billion* annually.[33]<http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2009/10/50-examples-of-government-waste#_edn33>
> 34. Taxpayers are funding paintings of high-ranking government
> officials at a cost of up to *$50,000 apiece*.[34]<http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2009/10/50-examples-of-government-waste#_edn34>
> 35. The state of Washington sent $1 food stamp checks to 250,000
> households in order to raise state caseload figures and trigger *$43
> million* in additional federal funds.[35]<http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2009/10/50-examples-of-government-waste#_edn35>
> 36. Suburban families are receiving large *farm subsidies for the grass
> in their backyards* -- subsidies that many of these families never
> requested and do not want. [36]<http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2009/10/50-examples-of-government-waste#_edn36>
> 37. Congress appropriated *$20 million* for "commemoration of success"
> celebrations related to Iraq and Afghanistan.[37]<http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2009/10/50-examples-of-government-waste#_edn37>
> 38. Homeland Security employee purchases include 63-inch plasma TVs,
> iPods, and *$230* for a beer brewing kit.[38]<http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2009/10/50-examples-of-government-waste#_edn38>
> 39. Two drafting errors in the 2005 Deficit Reduction Act resulted in a
> *$2 billion* taxpayer cost.[39]<http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2009/10/50-examples-of-government-waste#_edn39>
> 40. North Ridgeville, Ohio, received *$800,000* in "stimulus" funds for
> a project that its mayor described as "a long way from the top priority."
> [40]<http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2009/10/50-examples-of-government-waste#_edn40>
> 41. The National Institutes of Health spends *$1.3 million* per month
> to rent a lab that it cannot use.[41]<http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2009/10/50-examples-of-government-waste#_edn41>
> 42. Congress recently spent *$2.4 billion* on 10 new jets that the
> Pentagon insists it does not need and will not use.[42]<http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2009/10/50-examples-of-government-waste#_edn42>
> 43. Lawmakers diverted *$13 million* from Hurricane Katrina relief
> spending to build a museum celebrating the Army Corps of Engineers -- the
> agency partially responsible for the failed levees that flooded New Orleans.
> [43]<http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2009/10/50-examples-of-government-waste#_edn43>
> 44. Medicare officials recently mailed *$50 million* in erroneous
> refunds to 230,000 Medicare recipients.[44]<http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2009/10/50-examples-of-government-waste#_edn44>
> 45. Audits showed *$34 billion* worth of Department of Homeland
> Security contracts contained significant waste, fraud, and abuse.[45]<http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2009/10/50-examples-of-government-waste#_edn45>
> 46. Washington recently spent *$1.8 million* to help build a private
> golf course in Atlanta, Georgia.[46]<http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2009/10/50-examples-of-government-waste#_edn46>
> 47. The Advanced Technology Program spends *$150 million* annually
> subsidizing private businesses; 40 percent of this funding goes to Fortune
> 500 companies.[47]<http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2009/10/50-examples-of-government-waste#_edn47>
> 48. Congressional investigators were able to receive *$55,000* in
> federal student loan funding for a fictional college they created to test
> the Department of Education.[48]<http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2009/10/50-examples-of-government-waste#_edn48>
> 49. The Conservation Reserve program pays farmers *$2 billion* annually
> not to farm their land.[49]<http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2009/10/50-examples-of-government-waste#_edn49>
> 50. The Commerce Department has *lost 1,137 computers* since 2001, many
> containing Americans' personal data.[50]<http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2009/10/50-examples-of-government-waste#_edn50>
>
> These are mere drop in the bucket examples. Left up to me, entire
> departments would be eliminated starting with commerce, agriculture, and
> yes, education.
>
> I would go on but time is limited. Has this been adequately specific for
> you?
>
> g
>
> P.S. I'll throw in as a little can and did bonus for you the countless
> Obama white house parties, (think Paul McCartney comes cheap?) along with
> the current cross country campaign tour all paid for with the taxpayers
> credit card. Enjoy.
>
>
> *From:* Joe Campbell <philosopher.joe at gmail.com>
> *Sent:* Friday, April 22, 2011 2:23 AM
> *To:* the lockshop <lockshop at pull.twcbc.com>
> *Cc:* Vision 2020 <vision2020 at moscow.com>
> *Subject:* Re: [Vision2020] Fw: This could be big
>
> What is the "big government" that you're talking about below, Gary? Tell me
> where the waste is and be specific. You can't and won't and that shows where
> the greater myth lies.
>
> For God's sake, we've been waging a war in two now three different
> countries, putting the whole thing on our world "credit card." But you don't
> raise a peep about that. Education, health care, entitlements -- that is
> where the evil lies (according to you)!
>
> This is crap rhetoric and you know it. And the fact that you can't make a
> sensible response to this post, that all you'll do is throw insults and more
> crap rhetoric proves it even more.
>
> And this isn't an insult. It is a CRITICISM. Maybe you are as unable to
> tell the difference as Roger.
>
> On Thu, Apr 21, 2011 at 5:14 PM, the lockshop <lockshop at pull.twcbc.com>wrote:
>
>> I feel fine, thank you for your concern. There is no ire to mitigate on
>> my end and no need for rationalization required on yours. Corporations take
>> advantage of tax laws put in place by Republican and Democrat lawmakers to
>> return value to the shareholders as is their primary reason for existance.
>> The fact that you and your family have been able to take advantage of this
>> warms my heart.
>>
>> The notion that corporations large or small should "pay a fair share" is a
>> farce generated by big government (and it's friends and beneficiaries) to
>> extract additional revenue from individuals. The burden falls on
>> shareholders in the form of reduced return on investment and/or on customers
>> in the form of higher price for products. Placing ever-increasing drains on
>> a corporations revenue can only result in disaster. If return to investors
>> is too low or the price of goods is to high the end result is the same. You
>> have killed the goose and the attendant jobs, goods, and services (and yes,
>> tax monies) that it generated.
>>
>>
>> g
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> *From:* Sue Hovey <suehovey at moscow.com>
>> *To:* the lockshop <lockshop at pull.twcbc.com> ; 'Vision 2020'<vision2020 at moscow.com>
>> *Sent:* Thursday, April 21, 2011 12:13 PM
>> *Subject:* Re: [Vision2020] Fw: This could be big
>>
>> True, and we probably won’t be able to do them much longer, so perhaps
>> that will help to mitigate your ire. A few years ago I was behind one of
>> the efforts to get PERSI to disinvest—a move that went nowhere, fast. So I
>> continue to take the dirty money and I’m going to be spending it on critical
>> needs for our disabled adult daughter. Feel better now?
>>
>> Sue H
>>
>> *From:* the lockshop <lockshop at pull.twcbc.com>
>> *Sent:* Thursday, April 21, 2011 11:56 AM
>> *To:* Sue Hovey <suehovey at moscow.com> ; 'Vision 2020'<vision2020 at moscow.com>
>> *Subject:* Re: [Vision2020] Fw: This could be big
>>
>> Interestingly enough, Exxon Mobile, Conoco Philips, General Electric and
>> Goldman Sachs are among the ten largest holdings of several of the funds
>> held by PERSI. These "dirty corporate freeloaders" are playing a large part
>> in funding local retiree's trips to Hawaii! This must be brought to a halt
>> immediately.
>>
>> g
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> *From:* Sue Hovey <suehovey at moscow.com>
>> *To:* 'Vision 2020' <vision2020 at moscow.com>
>> *Sent:* Wednesday, April 20, 2011 7:58 PM
>> *Subject:* [Vision2020] Fw: This could be big
>>
>> Sort of a down and dirty (for sure dirty) list of Corporate
>> Freeloaders. Thought it might be of interest to some of you.
>>
>> Sue
>>
>> *From:* William Frye <frye3407 at att.net>
>> *Sent:* Wednesday, April 20, 2011 10:48 AM
>> *To:* undisclosed recipients:
>> *Subject:* Fw: This could be big
>>
>>
>>
>> A few weeks ago, Senator Bernie Sanders released a list of the 10
>> companies worst at paying their fair share in taxes. We liked it, and our
>> designer Gabe quickly put it into chart form and put it up on our website.
>>
>> What happened next was exciting: Tens of thousands of people started
>> sharing the chart on Facebook. Blogs started posting links to it. It began
>> to really blow up—and that gave us an idea: *What if we could get this
>> popular chart in front of millions of people today as they're finishing
>> their taxes?*
>>
>> So here we go: We're going to try to *saturate Facebook with the chart
>> below, so that everyone sees the shameful behavior of these 10 companies.
>> * Can you join in? All you have to do is *click this button to share it:<http://www.moveon.org/r?r=207868&id=27005-9248772-nM8c0ux&t=1>
>> *
>>
>> Share This on Facebook<http://www.moveon.org/r?r=207868&id=27005-9248772-nM8c0ux&t=2>
>> *
>> *
>> *[image: Senator Bernie Sanders Guide To Corporate Freeloaders]<http://www.moveon.org/r?r=207868&id=27005-9248772-nM8c0ux&t=3> Click
>> here to share: Bernie Sanders' Guide to Corporate Freeloaders<http://www.moveon.org/r?r=207868&id=27005-9248772-nM8c0ux&t=4>
>> *
>>
>> *
>> *Thanks for all you do,
>> –Peter, Eli, Alicia, Jenine, Gabriel, and the whole MoveOn.org Civic
>> Action team
>>
>> ------------------------------
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