CAL THOMAS COMMENTARY SEPTEMBER 29, 2023
DAN HENNINGER IS ONE OF THE BETTER WRITERS FOR THE WALL STREET JOURNAL. IN HIS THURSDAY COLUMN HE TAKES NOTE OF THE LOOMING SO-CALLED “GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN” AND ASKS A POWERFUL QUESTION. SINCE A MAJORITY OF FEDERAL WORKERS NOW WORK FROM HOME, WHY DO WE NEED ALL THESE AGENCIES IN WASHINGTON? THE BUILDING VACANCIES IN D.C. AMOUNT TO MORE THAN 2 MILLION ACRES. WHY COULDN’T THEY BE SOLD OR RENTED TO PRIVATE COMPANIES AND THE MONEY USED TO REDUCE THE DEBT? WHY DO WE NEED A DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE IN WASHINGTON? WOULDN’T IT BETTER SERVE FARMERS IF IT WERE LOCATED IN FARM COUNTRY. THAT’S JUST ONE EXAMPLE.
THE WORKING FROM HOME MODEL MAY BECOME PERMANENT. WHY FIGHT HEAVY TRAFFIC AND PAY HIGH PARKING COSTS FIVE DAYS A WEEK TO GO TO AN OFFICE WHEN YOU CAN ACCOMPLISH YOUR WORK FROM HOME? IT MIGHT ALSO BE A GOOD TIME TO ASSESS WHY WE NEED SO MANY FEDERAL WORKERS AND WHETHER THEIR JOBS CONTRIBUTE TO THE HEALTH OF THE NATION.
READ DAN HENINGER’S JOURNAL COLUMN. I THINK YOU MIGHT AGREE WITH HIS CONCCLUSIONS, EVEN IF YOU’RE A FEDERAL WORKER. AND DON’T BE FOOLED IF THERE IS A GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN THIS WEEKEND. IT’S PHONEY. I’M CAL THOMAS.
I quite agree. Our government is bloated and needs to be trimmed down. Also like the idea of many folks working from home and avoiding all the expense of offices, travel, etc.