78-15-B2
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Waste[edit]
Transcript[edit]Today's commentary was inspired by a couple of California state Assemblymen who pointed a finger at one or two examples of government waste. These aren't in the billion dollar range or even in the millions, but they reveal a wasteful attitude on the part of government agencies. Paul Priolo revealed that the Department of Social Services sent nine page telegrams to each of California's 120 legislators--total cost $2,752. The wires provided information on changes in food stamp distribution. The Department's office is only five blocks from the State Capitol building. Assemblyman Robert Cline pointed to some frivolous spending by the California Arts Council, for example, $700 for something called "Mothers Art". It was an experiment of staging entertainment in laundromats. The performances included dressing in clothespin masks and dancing around the washing machines. Other grants included $2,000 to a sculptor who was experimenting with sculpture using discarded beer bottles. Thanks to them I picked up a few other items which involved the federal government, so the price jumped a little. A young lady draws down almost $25,000 a year as a "monitor advocate" for migrant farm workers. She is supposed to oversee migrant workers to make sure all the regulations are complied with. Now so far there's nothing wrong with that--except that she's supposed to do this in the District of Columbia. Not only are there no migrant farm workers in the District--there aren't any farms. One that really boggles the mind is a little favor trading that turned into larceny and ended up in a surprising finish. A young lady employed in the education section of H.E.W. had a General Services credit card which was to be used for purchase of office supplies and equipment. She traded the card to a parking lot attendant for a convenient parking place. He then got busy with the card and bought $80,000 worth of goods which he peddled through a fence. The young lady received a suspended sentence. Whatever pain that might have caused her was eased by a two-step promotion that substantially upped her salary. The parking lot attendant (who is a District of Columbia employee) has not been prosecuted and, according to the press, the $80,000 has not been recovered. This next one isn't strictly government but it can cost you a goodly sum. We're all familiar with the earnest demonstrators who oppose nuclear power plants. The best known of course are members of what is called "The Clamshell Alliance" in New Hampshire. They've delayed the construction of the Seabrook plant. Those delays have added $419 million to construction costs and lost New Hampshire workers an estimated $132 million in wages. Those added construction costs will hike the residential consumers' bill about $1,300 over the life of the plant. This is Ronald Reagan. Thanks for listening. |
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