Say Anything Blog

Because yesterday was “Cost of Government Day”

Cost of Government Day for 2008 is July 16.  Working people must toil on average 197 days out of the year just to meet all costs imposed by government.  In other words, the cost of government consumes 53.9 percent of national income.

Cost of Government Day falls four days later in 2008 than last year’s revised date of July 12.  In 2008, the average American will have to work an additional 17 days out of the year to pay off his or her cost of government compared to 2000, when the COGD was June 29.

In fact, since 1977, COGD has fallen later than July 16 in only four of those 32 years - in 1982 and 1983, and in 1992 and 1993.  The driving factor for this development is the fact that all components of the cost of government – federal spending, state and local spending, and regulation – are now increasing faster than national income.

Can you believe that.  There is no way that HALF of the work that gets done is done by government but they suck up more than half of the resources.  Even at that when you suggest that the government types slow down the rate of growth of government they act like you’re an anarchist.

For a thought experiment think about the private things you pay for (cars, food, housing, entertainment, health care) and contrast that with with services from the government (military (worth a lot, but it doesn’t cost that much compared the economy) roads, schools etc).  Then drive around town and look at the number of private buildings (homes and businesses) and compare that with public buildings.

The only conclusion one can draw is that the government should be cut in half.  Not right away, but we need to elect leaders who are going to eliminate unnecessary services, expect people who are able to work for themselves, and cut out the fraud and waste in government. 

Over time it can be accomplished and the wealth our kids will inherit will be far greater than the misery this soft socialism is going to give them.