Trim

Government had been wasting too much of its meager resources for useless and unnecessary services. The need to trim down its personnel to reduce the amount of the payroll is long overdue. Public service is not really expensive for the taxpayers if only necessary positions are included in the organizational framework. The bureaucracy is deemed a chaotic organization of positions that are not much relevant to what the public really needs. The concept of rationalizing the organization is a clear indication and acceptance that the bureaucracy is really irrational in its present setup. There are many redundant and duplicated functions that can be fused into one single position to cut down the cost of salaries. Those affected are given a good option to live decent lives after the bureaucratic organizational framework is rationalized.

It is a good step in the right direction for government to trim down and lower its expenses on personal services. But more than providing incentives to those affected, it must setup a good business environment that will serve as shock absorber of the rationalization. People who will be ejected from the bureaucracy might just waste their hard earned money on business ventures if the economic atmosphere is not conducive. If we go by the present economic conditions, it would be tough for people who would be pushed out of the bureaucracy to establish a good business or livelihood even with ample capital obtained out of the rationalization. Those affected must therefore me cautious in placing their money for a livelihood that would support them for their lifetime.

But there is a more urgent task for government to rationalize than the bureaucracy. We can trim down and cut expenses too if we start urgently in rationalizing congress. But the process would be more tedious and bloodier than the one with the bureaucracy. It would entail an amendment of the constitution which is hard to do as charter change is getting off its railroaded motion. But we see fully how useless and unnecessary the legislature is as an organization. It had cost so much of the public funds for useless undertakings. It is more a den of inefficiency than anything. So much of its members are working not much for the people than for their vested self interests.

We have seen the two houses of congress in irrational clashes over pity things that are for their personal aggrandizement and political mileage. It had conducted investigations of sorts, purportedly in aid of legislation but appearing more as in aid of reelection. Grandstanding traditional politicians are making the legislature their stage to show their wares and push their political ambitions. Of late, the lower house is again busying its halls with moves to impeach the doubtful president. The process is costly for the taxpayers who are not getting the kind of service they deserved from their legislators. Others are busy lobbying and pressing their political influence on hapless government officials who can hardly turn down even the most inane request of politicians. Here is really where we can trim the bureaucracy and save more.

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By: AL Ellema

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