Jim...

I work for a state bureaucracy!! My other major was public policy until I decided I couldn't deal with bureaucracy for the rest of my life.

Anyway, I see examples of waste every day at work. From throwing away new supplies b/c they are the wrong color (it is illegal to give away things like binders, etc, because they are state property)....to buying excessive numbers of laptops, computers, palm pilots, digital camcorders, cameras... for the most part just to spend the money the have with little regard to where that money came from.

Obviously I can't argue that I haven't had years of experience working for the state (and I never, ever will!!). But I base my opinions on what I do have in terms of experience and knowledge. As a result, I come out with well argued viewpoints that do challenge people to think about the issues.