pic by dullhunk

The taxpayer over two decades paid billions to create the software used to run the electronic medical record system of the Veterans Health Administration. This public domain software is utilized in 1,400 Veteran facilities.  The use of the federal stimulus money should only support an approach that utilizes this free software. Thereby, the only added cost is hardware and the services of a company to implement and maintain the system. 

Why create ones own rat race towards the electronic record when it is already done and free.  What a great way to automate health care records cheaply.  There is no more excuse that automation is unaffordable when software exists that is part of the public domain for free and it is being used in 1,400 facilities. 

pic by Bearman 2007

There continues to be a negative reflection by voters of their local elected officials role and expectations.    Part of such a reflection is due to the continuing facts becoming public that elected officials are getting benefits or passing laws to benefit specific officials for retirement.  

Nonprofit leaders are viewed more positively since they are considered to be dedicated to the public good.  However, there is a trend that some nonprofits leaders are more interested in the money and manipulating nonprofits to benefit themselves and their friends.  This can become a dangerous trend if left unchecked. 

pic by PBS Hawaii.org

President Obama asked his Cabinet members to identify $100 million dollars in savings over a  90 day period.  Critics found it to be an opportunity to pock fun and promote their opposition to the stimulus bill.

Building a sound budgeting process begins one dollar at a time and one program at a time.  The first $100 million , the next $100 million and the next $100 million, etc..  all eventually add up to a figure that makes a substantial impact.

The budgeting process for 2010 will begin soon to cut programs that have historically been over budget or failed to deliver adequate results.   Organizations need to be able to measure outcomes for the funding they receive during and after their use of said funds.

Below I have provided a few suggestions for cutting costs or gaining revenues.

1. No more Saturday mail service
2. Create kiosks in malls for online paying of government services
3. Require each school district to utilize advertising on buses/vans to offset transportation costs.
4. Require all public schools to affiliate with arts and music programs base on a standard for all students.
5. Require a % of funding to arts and music organizations go to serve public school students as a first priority.
6. Turnover conservation and maintenance of all parks to nonprofits in the business of park and recreation services.
7. Discharge those in prison for minor drug offenses  and give them community service.  The average cost of $20,000 for incarceration is so inefficient.