Quote of the Decade...

Government Efficiency is Eliminating the Position

"When I was studying for a Master's in Urban Administration, I caused a bit of an uproar. I said the goal of a public administrator is to find a way to eliminate their own job. A great administrator would be seeking a permanent fix to a problem, not managing the problem well." -- Phil Lynch

Phil was writing about the Post Office [click to read] but here's a truth too big to leave with just the United States Postal System. What if we did actually succeed in eliminating the need for public welfare programs [or at least reduce them to a true last resort safety net]?

Impossible, you say, but look to the Nineteenth Century when there was little care given to many who were truely needy and consider the work of men like George Mueller who founded five orphanages during the period. Much of what we consider basic humanitarian care has its roots in faith-based solutions. Compassionate care for the mentally ill under Dorothea Dix likewise as far better than State run Eugenics under Dejarnette. Why did we think the government could do these things better?

Or put the problem on the lowest shelf. The City of New York spends vast sums of money cleaning the subways. The transit system needs to save money so what happens if Citizens start to develop an 'ownership' mentality and carry out their own trash? If we have the same attitude toward our own community we will save its resources. I love Phil's logic. What if we can achieve just about anything without the government running it. Go ahead, I DARE you Washington, reduce the corporate tax rate and see what I'm talking about!

In the early days of Israel's existence there was no king. The kingdom was administered by Judges, sort of a citizen governing board. The book of Samuel talks about how the people wanted a king like every other nation around them. They are warned that a king will require a lot of upkeep [taxes will rise] and will require the conscription of more people than are now needed. By the time of Solomon the people are groaning under a large tax burden as the king embarks on large building projects and sends off to Egypt for ever more horses. Eventually the kingdom is split, the reason being a tax rebellion! If you don't believe me, read the books of Kings and Chronicles for yourself!

Even the figure head monarchy of Britian requires a large sum of public money for its maintenance to this day. I love the queen but what does she really do? Eliminating a position is harder than it would seem.

Thomas Jefferson and his fellow Patriots started well, eliminating the position of monarch but the fact that we have even been talking about 'Ted Kennedy's Seat' tells you it's time to get back to basics on this one. The Tea Parties are a healthy step in the right direction.

So, what about the Post Office. Let them eliminate Saturday delivery. There are private companies who will happily pick up the slack on essential deliveries. UPS and Fedex seem to have taken a fair amount of market share here anyway. In the spirit of Stamps.com, it seems some postal sales could be privatized as well. Stamps.com already gives you a discount for NOT going to the Post Office.