Why do politicians not address their own benefits, corruption or waste when asked about budget deficits?

Question

They always limit the discussion to "raising taxes" or "cutting services". Why not include waste, bureacracy, corporate welfare, and corruption as other ways to better manage tax payer's dollars?

Answer 1

Because it is all about egos.

I work for a municipality and it is disgusting to see the importance they all attach to their little piece of the pie and how hard they work to enlarge and maintain it. The self-importance is truly amazing!

I had a department head tell a group of us that we were 'worthless monkeys' but he was being paid 6 figures because he was worth it, and in fact, he said he was worth more than they were paying him. Now, we all kept our mouths shut because if we didn't we would lose our jobs. When he left the building and we got done laughing at his arrogance, we did his job, like we always did, for our 2 figure pay.

My own supervisor works very hard to spend every dollar budgeted for her division because if she doesn't she won't be able to justify such a high budget each fiscal year. They all do it. It is obscene.

Recently a division cut the jobs of about 5 workers. That left them with 4 workers and 6 supervisors. There are still 6 supervisors and they all got their raises and bonuses despite the fact that the 4 remaining workers are now doing the work of 9 people and their hours have been reduced.

I wish there was a way to fix this, but each time it gets brought to the public attention the uproar lasts about 2 days and then the big-wigs go right back to what they were doing and the worker who dared say something loses his job.

If you know a way to fix this let me know. I would be on board very quickly!

Answer 2

The best way to manage tax dollars is to give them back to the people who paid them. I've got a pretty good idea what to do with my money - and I'll spend it wisely for my benefit. With your money, I'm sure I'll spend it wisely for my benefit, only my wisdom will include lots of trips to bars to get even more wisdom!

Answer 3

They do not want to lose their own benefits.