Waste-apalooza FY24 has concluded

[Bodhisattva]

Yesterday ended the fourth quarter of FY24, which is an orgy of flushing taxpayer money - even more so than the rest of the fiscal year - before the clock strikes midnight on 30 September.

Curiously, how much would you spend for a set adjustable metal shelves that look something like this:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Tidoin-...x-15-7-in-D-x-72-in-H-MOR-YDW1-3364/323585596

Instead of half-walls for cubicles, my office received requirements from several organizations that had these types of shelves surrounding the cubicle desk. The equivalent of two shelves on each side and a half-shelf above the desk.

How much would you pay for each "(Long Acronym) Rack System?" How much do you think the government paid?

 

[Bazza]

Yesterday ended the fourth quarter of FY24, which is an orgy of flushing taxpayer money - even more so than the rest of the fiscal year - before the clock strikes midnight on 30 September.

Curiously, how much would you spend for a set adjustable metal shelves that look something like this:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Tidoin-...x-15-7-in-D-x-72-in-H-MOR-YDW1-3364/323585596

Instead of half-walls for cubicles, my office received requirements from several organizations that had these types of shelves surrounding the cubicle desk. The equivalent of two shelves on each side and a half-shelf above the desk.

How much would you pay for each "(Long Acronym) Rack System?" How much do you think the government paid?

If HD is selling them at $201.60, then I would think the government should get them for less, given their purchasing power.

We had this for certain customers when I was in sales. Because they were so big, we gave them a discount which also preserved our relationship as seller to buyer.

So I dunno......how about $175?

 

[Bodhisattva]

If HD is selling them at $201.60, then I would think the government should get them for less, given their purchasing power.

We had this for certain customers when I was in sales. Because they were so big, we gave them a discount which also preserved our relationship as seller to buyer.

So I dunno......how about $175?

The equivalent quantity for each "system" is 4 1/2 shelves. So, you'd expect to pay $787.50. That is logical. There's a Home Dept right down the street. We could go and buy some (or order online from HD). And expecting a quantity discount is also logical. We just bought a ton of these.

I'll hold off for a bit before revealing what the government just paid for each "system." I'd like to get several responses.

 

[oskie]

The equivalent quantity for each "system" is 4 1/2 shelves. So, you'd expect to pay $787.50. That is logical. There's a Home Dept right down the street. We could go and buy some (or order online from HD). And expecting a quantity discount is also logical. We just bought a ton of these.

I'll hold off for a bit before revealing what the government just paid for each "system." I'd like to get several responses.

... well, you used the word logical twice, and that term is incongruent with how our guv'mnt actually works ... so ... I'm gonna guess $2200.00 per system

 

[CrimsonJazz]

After spending tens of billions on rural broadband and apparently not connecting a single person to the internet, I'm going to say ......$1500 per.

And if any of you post next and say $1501 like those jerks on "The Price is Right" I'm going to find you and beat you with a flounder (the fish, not the fictional character from "National Lampoon's Animal House."

 

[Bodhisattva]

Any of the resident lefties want to participate? Here's a chance to test your skill level on (and faith in) government stewardship of your money. Don't be shy.

 

[JDCrimson]

Im not sure what you mean by this statement, but as written, its a bona fide lie. Because Im one of the people connected to rural broadband funded by a federal grant. Federal broadband grants are literally changing rural Alabama communities.

How do you expect us to take you seriously as poster here with such careless statements?

After spending tens of billions on rural broadband and apparently not connecting a single person to the internet.

 

[CrimsonJazz]

Im not sure what you mean by this statement, but as written, its a bona fide lie. Because Im one of the people connected to rural broadband funded by a federal grant. Federal broadband grants are literally changing rural Alabama communities.

How do you expect us to take you seriously as poster here with such careless statements?

The $42 billion internet program that has connected 0 people

The federal BEAD program makes little sense with the rate of private markets providing internet access.

www.washingtonpolicy.org

Long-term investments take time, but that doesn't mean every long-term investment makes sense. Government subsidies can come in with admirable goals, but still fail to be executed efficiently or properly. Unseen opportunity costs can be eaten up when we run to government programs first. Even as the state plans start taking effect, the private market will continue to expand internet coverage and lower prices at a faster rate than the BEAD program can, even to rural areas. With a total internet user addition of 0 people so far, the federal program has a long way to catch up.

 

[JDCrimson]

Okay, then why didnt you post this in the prior post rather than just gaslight?

There is $200bn of federal broadband grants being deployed Alabama to connect tens of thousands of home to broadband that had no viable access before.

The $42 billion internet program that has connected 0 people

The federal BEAD program makes little sense with the rate of private markets providing internet access.

www.washingtonpolicy.org

 

[Its On A Slab]

Any of the resident lefties want to participate? Here's a chance to test your skill level on (and faith in) government stewardship of your money. Don't be shy.

I'd just as soon dream of unicorn economic systems and smoke pot while reading Ayn Rand porn in my parents' basement..

 

[NationalTitles18]

Okay, then why didnt you post this in the prior post rather than just gaslight?

There is $200bn of federal broadband grants being deployed Alabama to connect tens of thousands of home to broadband that had no viable access before.

Quote:

The plan required U.S. states and territories to submit plans for investment and deployment by the end of 2023, which all have done. Expected roll out won't occur until 2026 by most optimistic deadlines.


So really a very misleading statement anyway. The plan was to first assess and make plans and then to roll out connections based on those plans, which makes sense for anyone doing things the smart way.

I am hopeful my remote area will get more data lines coming in as now if one copper thief cuts the line we go down for hours to day (and this has happened a handful of times, usually during holidays recently).

 

[92tide]

Quote:
So really a very misleading statement anyway.

but the washington policy center sounds so serious and reputable

 

[Bama_N_Va]

Yesterday ended the fourth quarter of FY24, which is an orgy of flushing taxpayer money - even more so than the rest of the fiscal year - before the clock strikes midnight on 30 September.

Curiously, how much would you spend for a set adjustable metal shelves that look something like this:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Tidoin-...x-15-7-in-D-x-72-in-H-MOR-YDW1-3364/323585596

Instead of half-walls for cubicles, my office received requirements from several organizations that had these types of shelves surrounding the cubicle desk. The equivalent of two shelves on each side and a half-shelf above the desk.

How much would you pay for each "(Long Acronym) Rack System?" How much do you think the government paid?

Well, if in the end they buy what the Navy once procured for a 3-star admiral in the Washington navy Yard, which was a 6ftx25ft conference room table, then you paid $25.03 for each rack.

The Navy bought the above table for $1500 (based on their specs and item number) and then complained when the sections color didn't match AND you could see the nail pops from construction....

 

[Bamaro]

The equivalent quantity for each "system" is 4 1/2 shelves. So, you'd expect to pay $787.50. That is logical. There's a Home Dept right down the street. We could go and buy some (or order online from HD). And expecting a quantity discount is also logical. We just bought a ton of these.

I'll hold off for a bit before revealing what the government just paid for each "system." I'd like to get several responses.

I'm sure that is just the tip of a huge iceberg but how do we fix it?

 

[Bodhisattva]

I'm sure that is just the tip of a huge iceberg but how do we fix it?

It very much is the tip of the largest iceberg. The US government is the largest buyer of goods and services in the world and pays minibar prices for everything. And a great deal of what is bought is never needed. Just completed multiple contracts for laptops totaling in the millions of dollars. Only a fraction of the laptops will be used. The rest will be stacked in a warehouse next to the ones that were bought last year which are next to the ones bought the year before that and the year before that. Why laptops? Because money must be spent (wasted) and laptops cost thousands of dollars each and the boxes are small and stack easily in the warehouse. That's the extent of government efficiency: warehouse stackability of small, expensive items.

And the government generates around 11,000,000 contract each year.

The solution? It would be nice if there were regular (and real) audits that had the goal of making sure money was spent on legitimate things at market prices. And an enforcement mechanism the started reducing the level of stupid spending. We do have audits - just finished one a few months ago - but they are designed to increase the layers of bureaucracy ... in the name of efficiency. It's backwards-retarded per usual.

I originally thought that once people were shown how government spends money, they would be shocked at how criminally wasteful things are. Not that anyone here can do much about it, but to at least acknowledge the stupidity would be a sign of intelligence on the subject. But the big government tribes always respond with non sequitur whataboutism or crickets. I've learned not to be surprised by the tribalism.

 

[jthomas666]

I originally thought that once people were shown how government spends money, they would be shocked at how criminally wasteful things are. Not that anyone here can do much about it, but to at least acknowledge the stupidity would be a sign of intelligence on the subject. But the big government tribes always respond with non sequitur whataboutism or crickets. I've learned not to be surprised by the tribalism.

Perhaps if you didn't end every post on the subject by insulting the people you (supposedly) want to sway...

 

[Bodhisattva]

Perhaps if you didn't end every post on the subject by insulting the people you (supposedly) want to sway...

Where's the insult? Offering first-hand knowledge on how the government spends money? Noting that there are many on this board that respond with non sequitur whataboutism? Or offer no response at all but keep maintaining that government is a good steward of taxpayer money? Why is reality triggering?

Care to guess how much the government spent per unit on the above acquisition?

 

[jthomas666]

Where's the insult?

I originally thought that once people were shown how government spends money, they would be shocked at how criminally wasteful things are. Not that anyone here can do much about it, but to at least acknowledge the stupidity would be a sign of intelligence on the subject. But the big government tribes always respond with non sequitur whataboutism or crickets. I've learned not to be surprised by the tribalism.

Your usual condescending overgeneralized schtick.

Care to guess how much the government spent per unit on the above acquisition?

I'm sure you'll tell us when you're ready.

We've all noted the need to spend all unspent money at the end of the fiscal year--I've wondered why you couldn't incentivize the opposite behavior, to encourage frugality.

 

[CrimsonNagus]

I don't know what you guys paid for the shelves but I work in an IT department at a state agency. We are required to use vendors on state contracts who all mark-up prices because, why not. We could use Amazon with extra paperwork or find a vendor that will use Amazon for us but, it's just a hassle and your department budget is punished if you "save money".

For cat5/6 patch cables we pay about 3x the price you typically see on Amazon. Roughly $35 per 10ft cable.

So, my guess is $600 per shelf.

 

[Its On A Slab]

It is Leviathan, I will admit. Bloated, yes.

As that big-eared millionaire from Texas(Ross Perot) once said: The devil is in the details.

You start cutting stuff out of the budget, you start stepping on the toes of 435 members of the House, and 100 members of the Senate. Hell, even Ted Kennedy was considered a hawk when the submarine base in his state came under budget scrutiny. And when I lived in Alabama, my congressional district was lorded over by peanut farmers and their subsidies(many people were paid those subsidies for land they never, ever planned to farm. And you could keep the subsidy on the land even if you didn't own it).

My late Dad was an arch-conservative, retired pharmaceutical salesman from Big Pharma. He railed and railed against anything that smacked of "socialized medicine". Yet he was in awe of how great Medicare was for my dying Mom. I never really asked him about the irony there.

How to fix it? That's been in the discussion since time immemorial. It's easy to talk about getting out the machete, but it's not reality.