Suggestions for how our political leaders could start saving money.

hi thea here in the US our government spends a lot on things that us ordinary people would think twice or a dozen times before spending say one hundred dollars on a toilet lid, or on items that we would pay say fifteen' dollars for they charge ten times that much to replace 'stuff and don't seem to think they are wasting our money. I was nonplussed to see what the government spent on items like toilets and wash basins and such ordinary things. I thought to myself these things must be gold plated to be worth that kind of money. and to think the tax payers of our country ultimately foot the bills for such foolishness. I think that the leaders of our country should' have to count their dollars and keep their eating out expenses down to maybe six or seven dollars apiece instead of probably more like forty dollars per person.also maybe reuse things that they ordinarly replace every little while. my parents raised me on an old adage use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without. I was raised during our first depression so money was very tight and people learned to conserve and to preserve so to speak.now days we are all pretty spoiled so this new depression has hit us much harder i think.

I am reading some of these other posts I am impressed by the thought process on this one. I think all government officials including the President should be paid an AVERAGE WAGE. Maybe when these bloodsuckers learn to live on a regular persons salary they'd have some concept of balancing a budget and in turn managing our economy. We are dealing with elitist and rich politicians, some who never had to work a hard day in their lives or have forgotten what it was like. Though if politicians were paid less they'd just find ways to steal more I am sure..

The latest genius idea issued by the bright heads of our political leaders is to send all the employees paid from the budget (teachers, policemen, clerks, etc.) in forced unpaid holiday for 3 days this month and the next (maybe they will make this a monthly habit). I think the best way to save budget money is for the political leaders to stop stealing from the budget. At least for a few months. It's so simple, and it would save millions of Euro... Another beautiful deed of our leaders was this autumn, when the Parliament VOTED a la saying that the teachers' wages will be increased by 50 %. Although the law was voted and approved, the Government refused to apply the law... Nice, isn't it?

Hmmm. Now let me think. *thinks* 1. All political leaders to have their entertainment allowance stopped immediately. 2. Cut down on motorcades and bodyguards - especially if they rule a country that is only 120 miles long and 44 miles wide 3. Lights to go automatically if a meeting lasts more than 2 hours - and a/c too.Plus no food to be served at thse meetings - that should speed things up a bit. 4. Stop employing party supporters to jobs such as - printing emails and taking them to the government leader's residence in the evening. Yes, this is done. Cheaper to pay for him to become computer literate. 5. Stop taking pay offs from foreign contractors 6. Ensure that they can only stay in power for 2 terms only Am rushing but this is what comes to mind immediately. Lots more though! Excellent post!

this certainly is an interesting discussion. and the list can be endless...only i wish someone could put them in to action. i hope i am able to justify my thoughts in words...so here i go... 1. number of politicians reduced by 70%. that will increase efficiency. 2. complete ban on travel. can be replaced by video conferencing, telephone. email.. 3. foreign visits can be replaced by putting up embassy staff to serve the purpose. 4. complete ban on national parades. why display arms and equipments once a year?? 5. palatial accommodation to be replaced by flats. they are easier to maintain, many politicians can live in same area - would mean better security. 6. travel by bus. most politicians live in same areas and all have same area of work. their private caravans should be replaced by a few buses that can carry them all. 7. all allowances to be cancelled. they should be made to present bills and paid only if the expenditure is justified. 8. election campaign expenses to be banned. they can campaign on state television and nothing more than that. 9. ban on traditional pomp and show. like guard of honor, music bands, horses, camels, elephants...etc... .......the list can go on with specifics but i guess you got the general idea...

I think fewer state dinners is appropriate. We could use videophone and get a lot more done and save all the travel, lodging and other expenses associated with such an affair. Not to mention the costs of catering, security, decorations, etc..... I think decorations for various holidays are fine. They are usually all donated. So let each religion donate the decorations associated with their specific holiday and be responsible for getting them put up and down. This would decrease the overall decorating budget and keep the Capital and White House fresh and updated. All members of congress should pay for their personal transportation. You wanted to serve, you knew you had to travel back and forth between the capital and your home states so deal with it. If our economy was great and we could afford it we would but we can't so we shouldn't. Get rid of the doctor's office at the Capital. You have health insurance so go to the doctor like the rest of us do. There is no viable reason to have a physician office and staff at the capital building. I could come up with more but I want to let others have a go at it.

Well it seems that politicians and govt are the same everywhere and in a poor country like India, it becomes all the more glaring as to how they waste public money for their own whims and fancies and just to hold on to certain traditions! For one, my suggestion would be to cut down on air travel until and unless absolutely necessary (all of them are prone to seeing the world at our money in the name of work) and even where absolutely necessary, to travel cattle class rather than executive class (exec. Class should be for exec. who nevertheless have to do some work)… I don’t know about other countries but here in india the politicians are so unnecessarily pampered in every sphere…they get fat paychecks in the name of allowances, which goes to their savings as everthing else is ‘sponsored’ by the govt (read free)…accommodation, food, car, telephone, nets, laptops…it’s a complete package and no party wants to rock the boat by raising these issues. About some months back in the thick of the recession, our PM had very gallantly advised the top honchos of the industry to cut their gross intakes (the honchos earn in billions as you know) which created a furore in the industrial circles coz if nothing else, at least the honchos do some work to earn their pay while the fat geese in our parliament just get fatter sitting and travelling and having a good time shouting at each other for the public and then supping together in the dark!

How about state dinners are now pot luck? I have to do it...... Heres another idea, for 2 years all foreign aid cut off. The only tax payer money leaving the country would be toward out debt. How about Congress takes a two vacation - think of all of the paper we would save! How about no entitlement programs other than social security. These are some pretty big ticket items! How about the President gives all speeches from the White House, think of the fuel we would save.

pft..my country's hemorraging money right now. i'm not sure how to get them to cut down. cutting down on state dinners and useless trips at taxpayer's expense is a good start. i think if we truly knew the true amount of their wastefulness we'd probably have a heart attack collectively.

Personally I think politics should be wiped off the face of the planet. In the olden days there was no politics. Just laws that you either obey or you say good bye to your life. The SOB that invented politics should shot in my opinion as that is why the world is in beyond a mess

Yes, why should they not "tighten their belts" the way most of the rest of the world's people have? Take a pay cut. Use public airlines and save the private jets when safety is the only real issue, as for presidents or other heads. Pay for part of their own health insurance. (I have none any more.) Buy generic foods, paper products, etc. And that is just a small beginning. Karen

They are saving money for there own purposes and not for the people and for the country. They just seated in the position because it is the very best way to be wealthy.

Excellent, Thea! I've got one. Getting to and from their place of work is the responsibility of the government ministers (it is for all other employees). Where a minister must stay overnight for work reasons - and only for work reasons - they should stay in a purpose built hostel, with a basic bed and communal toilet/bathing facility. If they require evening meals, these should be paid for at their own expense, though a basic communal kitchen area will be provided. And they should be bl**dy well grateful that even this is provided!

On the contrary, I think these political leaders are mis-leading by example. By showing the public their lavish lifestyles, more and more people are keen to join politics. Now for a saving tip: I like video tele-conferencing. If private companies, such as where I work, can use this advancement in technology to do meetings, and discuss issues, why can't politicians do it too? If there is value in face to face talk, and a handshake, then just send in the leaders. Hangers' on like senators and representatives, and other politicians that go with presidents and prime ministers to discuss their own issues can stay home and just tele-conference.

1. All air travel to be by economy class. 2. Documentation of overseas trips must be made by any politician going overseas at tax payers expense and made available to the public. 3. Painting and furnishings in any government building should only be replaced when necessary and only at a budget level. 4. Paintings by local artists only. 5. When power cuts are necessary during a heat wave, this must be done in government buildings as well. 6. Politicians are to use public transport when practical.

I think the biggest waste of money in the UK (and particularly the US) is the military / defence budget. If elected (no chance!), I'd instantly slash it in half; probably reduce it by 70 - 80%. Another huge waste of funds: the salaries and benefits of elected officials. It's an absolute disgrace that whilst so many are struggling with debt, MPs are paid such vast salaries, with unrivalled pension benefits and an expenses system that borders on the absurd. Central government itself is generally a huge waste of money.