How’s This For Wasteful Government Spending?

I don’t take hypocrites lightly.

When I worked at a law firm, I was always annoyed, for example, when the firm had no money for business development for the plebian partners but somehow always found money for exotic locales, five-star hotels, and $100-a-bottle wines when the Management Committee was meeting.

The same thing happens at corporations, of course. You hear that every department must urgently cut 5% of its workforce! But the 300-strong group of corporate muckety-mucks can fly off to Europe (or wherever) for three days to enjoy fine meals and a chance to hobnob at cocktail receptions.

Pass the frigging shrimp.

I’m now watching the federal government do the same damned thing.

The federal government is apparently broke. It was absolutely critical that Elon Musk and crew essentially eliminate foreign aid, condemning tens of thousands of people to illness or death. Domestically, we must cut Medicaid, eliminating health insurance for millions of Americans. And Congress is playing games to convince people that holding taxes low will somehow reduce the budget deficit.

At the same time, the U.S. Army estimates that we’re spending a minimum of $25 million to $45 million for a military parade to honor either the Army or our president’s 79th birthday, depending on whom you believe. I say “a minimum” because the multimillion-dollar estimate covers only the 6,700 soldiers, 28 Abrams tanks, 28 Bradley Fighting Vehicles, 28 Stryker vehicles, four Paladin self-propelled howitzers, eight marching bands, 24 horses, and two mules participating in the parade. Once other costs are factored in, the expenses are likely to be much higher.

Our last military parade was to celebrate our victory in Iraq in 1991. I personally — and every other American, save one — could do without a parade in a time when government is so strapped for cash. Let’s see if some outfit — let’s call it “DOGE” — can find $25 million to $45 million (plus) to save in a heartbeat, without sacrificing lives overseas or medical insurance at home.

Same deal with sending the Marines to Los Angeles. Whether or not you believe the governor and mayor, who are elected officials and thus perhaps not trustworthy, the local police chief says that there’s no need to call in the Marines to control the demonstrations in Los Angeles. If there were a need for police help, you’d think you’d get an honest opinion there. So there’s no need for military help, and sending in the Marines for an estimated 60 days will cost $134 million.  

Where’s Musk when you need him? The average fully loaded cost of hiring one federal government employee is just under $157,000 per year. (This includes salary of just over $100,000 plus insurance and other benefits.) Divide $134 million by $157,000, and you could hire 853 federal government employees for a year for the cost of an unnecessary military deployment.

Multiply that times other unnecessary military deployments that you’ll see in the coming months and soon you’re talking real savings.

How about Donald Trump’s almost weekly golfing excursions to Mar-a-Lago? They run the government — that’s you and me — about $800,000 per trip. How about staying at the White House for a couple of weekends? That’d save you the entire $800,000 — five federal employees — per trip. Or golf at Camp David, which apparently has a single adjustable hole with four different tees that permit different driving distances, along with a driving range? The Secret Service wouldn’t spend any 800 grand each weekend to protect Camp David, which is already a secure location. Or golf at your own resort in Bedford, New Jersey. That ain’t free, but at least it’s a shorter flight.

But no.

For you and me, it’s austerity. We can’t spend a dime.

But for political showboating and presidential golf, there’s plenty of money for everything.

Pass the frigging shrimp.

Mark Herrmann spent 17 years as a partner at a leading international law firm and later oversaw litigation, compliance and employment matters at a large international company. He is the author of The Curmudgeon’s Guide to Practicing Law and Drug and Device Product Liability Litigation Strategy (affiliate links). You can reach him by email at inhouse@abovethelaw.com.

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