Another Bloated, Wasteful Federal Bureaucracy

The next time someone tries to spin the federal deficit and/or debt by saying it is impossible to cut back or that federal agencies have already been cut to the bone, remind them of this story. The Federal Times reports on the bloated VA health care bureaucracy, which Sen. Richard Burr is seeking to reform and streamline.

And recent inspector general reports show disturbing indications of waste and mismanagement. In one example, $1.7 million in health care money was used to pad management bonus pools in 2010.

Although an increase in VISN management staff over 17 years is predictable, “the growth and duplication of duties we have seen at VISN headquarters offices and medical facilities quite simply is troubling,” Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., the top Republican on the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, said last month after he introduced a bill to slash the number of VISN offices to 12.

The committee will examine problems with the department’s VISN bureaucracy at a hearing scheduled for June 27.

Burr’s bill would cut VISN staff from 1,719 to 780 — 65 at each of 12 offices. Employees who lose their jobs in the consolidation would move to other positions within the department. The bill also would require VA to review VISN operations every three years.

You mean to tell me that ALL of these people are necessary? Not one can be eliminated?

AFSCME Wins Grievance, Gets Right To Expired School Cafeteria Chow

Truly unbelievable union news out of a Pennsylvania school district. The local AFSCME union filed a grievance over union workers’ right to  chow down on expired food – for free. And the union won.

The Herald of Sharon, Pa., reports Monday (http://bit.ly/LDdM6d ) that the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees filed a grievance against the Sharpsville Area School District last year after school officials “violated established past practice” by no longer allowing workers to eat the expired food for free.

Just a Gaffe, Or a Reflection Of The Policies He Supports

I have blogged in this space many times that policies have consequences, and the president’s failed economic policies are having dire consequences. But, the president has doubled down on sticking with what clearly is doing the economy harm. Thus, when the president noted last week that “the private sector is doing fine,” I wasn’t surprised, but rather, bitterly disappointed. It tells me this administration has no plans to change course with its economic policies — no matter that 18% of Americans either can’t find a job or are working part time but want to work full time.

One who was shocked by Mr. Obama’s comment is Vice President Biden’s former top economic advisor.

When Jared Bernstein, Vice President Biden’s former top economist, began reviewing notes of President Obama’s press conference on Friday, he stopped cold when he read “the private sector is doing fine.”

“It caught my eye,” Bernstein told National Journal. Bernstein immediately fired off an email to the intern who took the notes to make sure it was accurate and not a rough or garbled translation. “I thought, ‘Did he really say that?’”

To his dismay, the intern wrote back that those were Obama’s words. Verbatim.

“I think he misspoke,” Bernstein said.

Asked would he have winced if he’d still been in the White House, Bernstein said: “I winced having not been in there.”         

Mr. Bernstein, imagine how much the thousands and thousands and thousands of unemployed and underemployed Americans “winced” when they heard the president reveal his thoughts on the private sector, which is their hope for finding work. They, Mr. Bernstein, should be shocked at the president’s view of, and plan for, this economy.

Rasmussen: 53% Of Likely Voters Want Obamacare Repealed

The American voters’ view of Obamacare is clear. The majority of likely voters — 53% — want Obamacare repealed, per the latest Rasmussen survey. Of those, 44% strongly favor repeal. Just 28% strongly oppose repeal.

Underemployment at 18.1%

We know that unemployment is stubbornly high, but what about the percentage of people who are “underemployed”?

Gallup reports the rate stands at 18.1 percent. ”Underemployed” is defined as those employed part time, but who want to work full time, or who are unemployed.

Policies have consequences, and failed economic policies prolong misery. It’s heartbreaking for everyone impacted.

Be Careful What You Tweet

I continue to be amazed at the ease with which some people blog, post on Facebook, and tweet very, very personal information and/or deplorable insults. Turns out that employers are getting savvy to keeping an eye on employee tweets and, in particular, tweets made by employees on company accounts. Business Week details several instances of firings  for this kind of junk. 

Chapel Hill To Food Truck Owners: Come On In…Well, Not Really

Chapel Hill’s anti-business regulatory environment continues. The town’s set of regulations on food truck owners is so ridiculous and uncompetitive that NOT ONE has applied for a permit.

Chapel Hill’s food truck fees are the most expensive in the Triangle, totaling $886 in permits and license fees for the vendor and the property owner who hosts the truck.

The town’s current rules came in the midst of an ongoing campaign to make over the town’s business image, from a place of over-regulation to one of innovation and inclusiveness.

The food truck ordinance does little to enforce the new image, food truck supporters say.

Food truck businesses may be allowed in Chapel Hill, but they certainly don’t feel invited, said Jody Argote, owner of the Parlez Vous Crepes truck.

“The message that the food truck operators got from the Town of Chapel Hill was that food trucks weren’t really welcome there,” she said.