Well go figure. I finally won an argument with my guy! You see,
Jim is this big Democratic east-coast liberal type who admitted
”
yes,
”
there certainly is
”
waste
”
in government, including California, and
”
yes,
”
most likely
”
fraud
”
too.
Every so often, I go on a rampage about how government likes to
spend our money for programs that will not benefit the average
person’s life. Like a study conducted by the federal government a
few years back on how butterflies mated. Of course in California,
we have countless studies on the red-legged frog at all levels of
government.
Well go figure. I finally won an argument with my guy! You see, Jim is this big Democratic east-coast liberal type who admitted “yes,” there certainly is “waste” in government, including California, and “yes,” most likely “fraud” too.
Every so often, I go on a rampage about how government likes to spend our money for programs that will not benefit the average person’s life. Like a study conducted by the federal government a few years back on how butterflies mated. Of course in California, we have countless studies on the red-legged frog at all levels of government.
The idea is somehow that the behavior of mating butterflies and saving the red-legged frog is relevant to our contained existence on this small planet rotating around our sun.
“Who really cares about that kind of crap?” I asked.
Big “D” pointed out that a serious naturalist needs to know how butterflies mate because it has a direct bearing on the ecology we live in.
Forgive me, but I fail to see a correlation between butterflies mating and my quality of life here on earth.
“Put it to the voters plain and simple. I’m sure many people would like to see more for their money.”
We’ve had this running argument ever sense the last election. Steadily, I’ve maintained there is real waste and real fraud in California’s government. All the while, big “D” adamantly argues there isn’t, contending what I call “waste and fraud” is just another group’s agenda.
“Yeah, politicians don’t know how to let go. They get in and most want to stay in – that’s the agenda.”
No matter, the big “D” always creates some esoteric cause effectual link between California’s most bazaar spending of my tax dollar and what’s best for me and the rest of mankind. Though I may not see the link, I never believed he was right, just a better debater then me.
But then, while reading the Sunday newspaper over coffee in front of the fire, (this is what I love about him) he hands me the front page and admits: “You were right and I was wrong. $5 million dollars in salaries to attend a few meetings a year is highway robbery.”
“See, another example of too many people sitting on their butts and being paid. Geez, do ya‚ think someone is going to do a study on this,” I mocked.
“Getting $100,000 a year to attend one or two meetings a month and just talk about things and not actually do anything about something is absolute bullshit,” Jim said.
Curious though is the fact for many years some of these mandate board seats were vacant, some for more than two years, like at the state geology and water boards.
What California does not need is a haven for Gray Davis‚ ex-lieutenants sitting on Boards or Commissions receiving high salaries plus expenses to stay in nice hotels when they fly or drive in to Sacramento for a meeting. What a boondoggle! Has anyone heard of teleconferencing?
Most of these “appointed” people, have very little technical knowledge or the interest in the subject at hand. They rely on experts they hire to do the studies – a maddening cycle of spending.
While researching, I called the California Medical Assistance Commission and got the answering machine. It was a few days later when I received a callback and was told, “No one is in the office on a regular basis.”
Hmmm, maybe I should apply for the State Prison Board. Pays well – $99,000, you meet once a month, sounds like a cushy job. It certainly sounds better than sitting on the Narcotic Addict Evaluation Authority, which meets once a week at less than half the salary – $42,500! Now who is being robbed?
And what the hell is the Narcotic Addict Evaluation Authority? Sounds scary.
Nevertheless, knowing first hand what it takes in a board to function successfully, I can safely say you need two things: Technical expertise and social commitment.
Social commitment can come from all sorts of volunteer groups like the Sierra Club, the Native California Plants or any one of a number of volunteer social/environmental organizations. Get people in that are passionate about their work, but not fanatic.
Between California’s universities, the retired experts in their fields can supply all the technical expertise anyone would ever need. They wouldn’t have to be paid like it was their only job.
Linda Lee King can be reached at [email protected].
