One reason why government wastes so much money
I've started receiving questionnaires from interest groups. The latest reminded me of something I noticed during the 2004 campaign.
This particular questionnaire comes from the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA). Eight of the ten questions dealt with how the US gives out foreign aid, especially related to Armenia, Turkey, and Azerbaijan. With many of these questionnaires, the focus is whether the candidate is willing to support aid for the interest group's agenda.
I remember from the campaign trail in 2004 how so many people would ask whether I would support spending money on this program or that program. It was rare for someone to ask about whether I would cut spending on something.
I can see where it might be tempting to just say yes to all of these people and groups. Tell them I feel their pain. That's what many candidates do, and that's why government wastes so much money.
My response on the campaign trail is to ask the person where they want the money to come from. Do you want me to increase your taxes? They usually answer that by asking me to raise someone else's taxes. Or I might ask where they want me to cut spending. The response is usually vague, or that they don't care. If it's a senior and I'm particularly feisty, I might ask if we should cut Social Security and Medicare to fund their pet program. That doesn't go over well, often driving the person into the beginnings of an epileptic attack. With the interest group questionnaires, there's no opportunity to respond in that way.
A newspaper even reported in 2004 how I would respond to concerns about gas prices by asking the person what kind of car they drive. Usually it was an SUV or pickup (because those are the people getting hit the hardest by gas prices). I'd tell them to drive a more fuel-efficient car. Not what they want to hear. They want the candidate to tell them that we're going to get those prices down. Government does not have the power to do this, but promise it anyway. Then when it doesn't happen blame the other party.
This is why I may not be the best candidate. I tell the truth.
This particular questionnaire comes from the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA). Eight of the ten questions dealt with how the US gives out foreign aid, especially related to Armenia, Turkey, and Azerbaijan. With many of these questionnaires, the focus is whether the candidate is willing to support aid for the interest group's agenda.
I remember from the campaign trail in 2004 how so many people would ask whether I would support spending money on this program or that program. It was rare for someone to ask about whether I would cut spending on something.
I can see where it might be tempting to just say yes to all of these people and groups. Tell them I feel their pain. That's what many candidates do, and that's why government wastes so much money.
My response on the campaign trail is to ask the person where they want the money to come from. Do you want me to increase your taxes? They usually answer that by asking me to raise someone else's taxes. Or I might ask where they want me to cut spending. The response is usually vague, or that they don't care. If it's a senior and I'm particularly feisty, I might ask if we should cut Social Security and Medicare to fund their pet program. That doesn't go over well, often driving the person into the beginnings of an epileptic attack. With the interest group questionnaires, there's no opportunity to respond in that way.
A newspaper even reported in 2004 how I would respond to concerns about gas prices by asking the person what kind of car they drive. Usually it was an SUV or pickup (because those are the people getting hit the hardest by gas prices). I'd tell them to drive a more fuel-efficient car. Not what they want to hear. They want the candidate to tell them that we're going to get those prices down. Government does not have the power to do this, but promise it anyway. Then when it doesn't happen blame the other party.
This is why I may not be the best candidate. I tell the truth.
posted by Albany Lawyer at 10:25 AM
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