Hattersguy, I have been in management. If my boss insisted that I make a 10% cut, AND that it better not affect performance or services we render, I could do it. I think any good manager could. Trouble with politicians--is their motivation is on the wrong side--rather than serve the public with less--they view any cut ( or reduction in an assumed increase) as a personal insult to their "turf".
They should all be fired! Trouble is--as you say--no one is paying attention--or they are paying too little attention. ( OR-they are mesmerized by the new phone that "Obama" sent them.....)

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1982 300SD " Wotan" ..On the road as of Jan 8, 2007 with Historic Tags