What about this serious problem?

[deborak]

Indeed, I've heard the "think of the poor government employees" caveat from others. But displaced employees could be transferred to departments that are actually Constitutional, or shift their operations with cuts in war funding to support short-term initiative projects the U.S. really needs, such as alternate fuel development, civil defense improvement, or gee, maybe processing the paperwork for the legal immigrants who are stuck in the papermill.

There's nothing sacred about a government job. Cities and states abolish them all the time.

 

[maiki]

One thing to remember that if these departments get "phased out" (very likely not abolished overnight, Ron Paul mentioned this), is that those services will most likely still be needed by people, the jobs will just be provided by state governments or the private sector. Department of Education? People will still go to schools, and lots of these jobs will be replaced by local State Education Departments or Private School Boards. Medicare/Medicaid jobs? Again, different systems of health care management, likely at a local level will be developed to replace them, and those will need workers as well as "higher ups". IRS, taxes etc? People will need more accountants to handle their personal finances if they have to plan personally more for their own retirement and have 10-30% more money to invest.

Just because these jobs cease to be managed by the Federal Government Conglomerate, doesn't mean the need for these positions and services will cease to exist. They will just be managed by the States or private industry.

 

[mikelovesgod]

I don't think they would like Paul at all. That's not our demographic, those who vote their pocketbook and not their freedom. They want the big gov't, they think they are special and needed.

Sadly, they really believe this.

 

[joenaab]

This is a very good question and I suspect that many people will not support him just to save their jobs. Remember, he doesn't need 100% of the vote to win.

 

[Swmorgan77]

They could get jobs working for all of the new businesses created by enterpeneurs and venture capitalists with tons of new disposable income, or the companies that would need to hire a lot of new accounting personnel to deal with the transition to the new tax-free economy, or with the publicly traded companies who would be expanding due to the growth of private investment.

The market always adjusts, and yes it would be a transition. That's why I like Dr. Paul's general wisdom to approach thise things pragmatically rather than "turn the key all at once" like he said and cause hiccups.

Overall, however, the country would be much more economically productive and wealthy across the board without the Federal Reserve/Income Tax system.

 

[AZ Libertarian]

No IRS and no 'federal' reserve (a privately owned corporation), and a general downsize of bureacratic money-wasting departments!?! Sounds like a multi-win-win-win to me.

The People keep what they've earned
The government will be small enough to be funded with what the Constitution says to use
We will have enough 'civil servants' to do all those "jobs Americans won't do"
AND - we can send all those who have broken our laws and INVADED OUR COUNTRY back to their respective homes, and if they want to stand in line at Ellis Island LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE and legally emigrate here THEY ARE QUITE WELCOME.

I could go on in listing all of the benefits a Ron Paul Presidency will bring, but I think you get my drift.

 

[DjLoTi]

LizF.. thank you for that elaborate and detailed reply.

 

[rodent]

I completely agree with you, but when people shift from bureaucratic, management type jobs that are basically government freebees, ...

A flaw in my thinking may be thinking in 'groups', as in 'groups of people will lose their jobs' instead of 'individuals will lose their jobs'. As individuals, they'll need to support their family, themselves, ect.

I'm just curious how massive this segment of our population is actually encased in this government employment system. Heck, I'm employed by the government. How big are we talking here? What are some possible effects? And what are some ways to counter-argue to people who may be employed by said departments?

I work under a government grant, and what I think is that losing my job and finding a job in the private sector won't be that much of a big deal. No one will be able to dismantle government that quickly, it's just a matter of getting the process started.

The key issue for me is the elimination of the IRS. The fact that ALL of us work for the government half the year is outrageous to begin with.