Do As We Say, Not As We Do...

Once again our elected officials in Washington have said to the American people “Do was we say but not as we do.”

A few days ago the House passed a bill that would fund the government for two more weeks. Yesterday the Senate passed it as well and it is now on its way to the President for signature. While it’s all well and good that the government won’t be “shutting down” from lack of funding, there’s a much larger problem here that needs to be addressed by the American people.

The fiscal year for the Federal government runs from October 1st through September 30th. Our elected officials are supposed to have a budget designed, approved and signed before October 1st of every year. It’s been that way for years, although I couldn’t find anything that told me exactly when it went into effect. Our elected officials are supposed to begin work on the fiscal year budget for the next year in January and have it ready by September so it can be passed and signed before October 1st. It rarely happens.

Granted, there’s a lot involved with the Federal budget, particularly in a time when there is so much division and disagreement between the Democrats and Republicans. Both sides will blame the other but the truth is the budget is rarely completed on time, no matter who is in charge or which side holds the majority. Some years it is worse than others, this being one of them.

My whole point here is that the average American citizen is expected to live up to financial obligations, pay bills on time, make plans to budget their money as necessary and take care of business without falling behind. In fact, there are laws against not doing many of those things. Of course many do fall behind, particularly with the economy as it is, but we’re expected to do our part in keeping up with our obligations. Our Federal elected officials can’t seem to do that on a yearly basis when it comes to the budget. Federal agencies get their allocations (if and when the budget is finally passed) each year and they are expected to live by them. They can’t spend more money than they are allocated and if they don’t spend it all by September 30th they are expected to give back anything that is left over. In fact, many Federal CEOs are given bonuses each year because they cut corners, trim their own budgets and give money back at the end of the year. (I’ve worked for some who make that their priority and shortchange their employees so they get that coveted bonus at the end of the year.)

The bottom line is the budget is one of the most pressing things our elected officials have to do and every year it seems they put it off and let it slide until well past the deadline. If we as citizens did that we’d be getting collection notices and legal documents in the mail and phone calls demanding money. Eventually we’d end up in court. Our elected officials skate by and spend money like it’s going out of style and many of them get re-elected.

“Do as we say, not as we do” seems to be the motto of the government these days, even more so than in the past. Last year’s election was a wakeup call for those voted out of office but it seems the ones who are still there didn’t quite get the message. The 2012 elections are 20 months away. It’s time the people stand up and tell them once again “Do as we say or you won’t be doing.” Let’s continue to work on Washington until they begin doing their jobs in the manner required.