I highly recommend this short clip about the US Treasury sending out untraceable blank checks to the tune of billions:
I work for a state-funded organization, and there’s no opportunity for me to spend even $5 without three levels of review. The money is controlled with ruthless efficiency.
That the federal government couldn’t figure out how to avoid the egregious abuses described in the video is impossible to believe.
Clarissa's Blog 
Nobody complains about getting money for nothing.
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But those of us who are giving it for nothing should.
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Kid, this old Canuck can believe it. Hell, I still remember learning about government sole sourced request for proposals ;-D
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I have no idea why we are pinching pennies in state education when money is being thrown away with such ease federally.
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You are pinching pennies in state ed. *because* money is being funneled to questionable and well-connected sources elsewhere?
-ethyl
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This.
I have to tie myself in knots to buy a couple of pizzas to feed student workers at the lab twice a year. The activity is policed like I’m proposing to sprinkle the food with polonium and cover it with fentanyl sauce. I have to provide an agenda of the meeting where the food will be served because we aren’t allowed to digest if it’s not for provably work-related purposes. I need to appoint a special person to go and receive the treasured credit card from which the purchase can be made. She has to return the card in record time after she goes in person to get the food items. She must return the card BEFORE bringing food to the department. The food goes cold because it’s below freezing but who cares.
Oh, and the permission to access the magical food credit card must be filed 72 hours in advance. Not before. But not later. We sit there with a timer to make sure we get right into the small window of opportunity. There’s only one card to be used by all departments, so requests have to be staggered. We need to negotiate with other entities seeking to buy a couple of crates of water or a box of sandwiches. If you go at 10 am, I’ll be able to go at 11:30. And so on.
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I take it you’re not related to any congressmen?
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