Monday, December 11, 2023

The Incredible Shrinking Government

Javier Milei has been sworn in as the new president of Argentina.  His first act?  Reduce the 20 government ministries to 8!  No, he hasn't done away with Education, but rather transferred its functions to the new Ministry of Human Capital.  Human Capital also took on the portfolios of Labor, Culture, Social Development, and Women, Gender, & Diversity.  Look at that!  5 ministries consolidated into 1.  Imagine the streamlining!  Can he come to the United States next?  If we got rid of many of these pointless departments, we could balance the budget in a snap.

Though I like Milei's ideas, it remains to be seen if they will work.  I cannot recall a government that rapidly reduced its size and cost.  How will that work?  A president who attacks the government might find himself targeted by the government in return.  Sounds like Donald Trump.  Unlike Trump, Milei has the benefit of attacking an entirely discredited government that had a 100% inflation rate.  That is why he was elected and he has a mandate for dramatic change.  I'm eager to see the results.

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