Here's a great example (as if we needed another) of what's wrong with our municipal government: 

The city is going to buy new water meters to replace the aging ones.  So far, so good.  Not only are the old ones failing (29% of meter-readings are now estimated because of meter failures) but the new ones will use a network, so they can be read automatically from City Hall, eliminating the work of three full-time employees. 

So what's the problem?

Well, despite the savings to the city, the city is going to charge every household $550.00 (in the form of higher water fees: $55.00 a year for the next ten years) to pay for the meters.  Can you guess what they're going to do with the savings provided by the new meters?

According to Tom Daly, the DPW Commissioner, he "will find work within the department" for the existing meter readers.   In other words, you get to pay for the efficiency improvement that will enable him to bloat his department.  You will save nothing. Quite the contrary. 

Every government department wants to grow in budget and personnel, in power and prestige.  This requires them to take more and more from you; whether or not you need it. After all, patronage is how political power is acquired and maintained. 

Whoever can dispense the most money in contracts and jobs is the winner in this political game.  You are the loser.

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