Trumping Obama on Government Reorganization
It’s about time for the Republicans to trump Obama on government reorganization. Team Obama has undoubtedly developed plans for President Obama to appear to be moving on agenda items that he promised a year, two years or three years ago. One such item was government 
reorganization, something that he promised a year ago in his 2011 State of the Union message.
Last week with great fanfare and colored charts, Obama unveiled his reorganization plan. Expecting a grand blueprint to save tens of billions in taxpayer dollars, most observers (apart from the kool-aid drinkers) were suitably unimpressed. After a full year of absolutely nothing on this subject, the President brought forward that simply rearranged the deck chairs on the SS Obama.
Obama’s proposal would combine the functions and staff of six trade- and commerce-related agencies and offices into one department: the Small Business Administration, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, the Export-Import Bank, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation and the Trade and Development Agency. Oh yes, the proposal would elevate the Small Business Administration to a Cabinet-level agency.
Now here’s the payoff. In a Federal government workforce of over 2 million, this proposal would eliminate 1,000 to 2,000 jobs and save $3 billion over ten years. Left unsaid was how much this election year boondoggle would cost to accomplish.
So rather than downsizing the bloated Federal government, Obama proposes to keep the departments that we already have and add a new one, let’s call it the Department of Business. Of course, when in doubt the White House proposal also announced the unveiling of a new website, BusinessUSA.
The usual Obama supporters immediately pronounced the proposal as the greatest thing since computer chips. Steve Case, Nancy Pelosi and Charles Rangel were several who issued press releases in support. Of course, the nay-sayers also came forward with Senator Max Baucus (D-Mont) and Rep. Dave Camp (R-Mich) both expressing reservations. Make note, if these two are against it then it will be dead on arrival since they lead the respective committees that would approve the changes.
Isn’t it time for the Republicans to take advantage of the opening that Obama has given them? Hasn’t any of the Republican leadership ever studied fencing or military tactics? Do any of them understand what a ripost or a counterattack is?
If Obama thinks that he can look like a a parsimonious President, then it’s time to push him to the wall. The Republicans should propose a massive reorganization along the lines that Ron Paul and several other candidates have put forward. Let’s eliminate entire departments, unnecessary programs and excess staff. If the Republicans want to make a splash, then make a big one.
It’s time to call Barrack Obama’s election year stunt. The Republicans must have a proposal somewhere. If not, then call Rep. Paul for a copy of his plan. It’s fairly detailed and would kill two birds with one stone. Trust me, Obama would recoil from this type of bloodbath and by doing so would look like the charlatan that he really is.
