The serious squabbling amongst Israel's politicians over the makeup of the governmental budget for 2002 is just usual news for us. Such budget fights are not a particularly Israeli phenomenon. There is no democratic country in the world that does not experience such internal disagreements when it comes to decide whose ox is to be gored. The pie of government money is never large enough to satisfy all of the guests at the table of government largesse.
There seems to be a general consensus among government economists and the Bank of Israel experts, as well amongst most Israeli political leaders, that at least six billion shekels had to be cut from the proposed budget. The rub always is, however, whose six billion shekels are to be cut? On that detail, there is little consensus.
Not being an economist or a scholarly professional maven on anything to do with money, I nevertheless have a number of proposals to advance as to how to cut six billion shekels from our government's budget. Since the average Israeli is automatically an expert on everything, I have no inhibitions as to listing my wise proposals for consideration. So, here goes:
1) Privatize Channel One television. Israel prides itself on being a democratic country with practically unlimited freedom of the press and of expression. As such, what is the government doing owning a television station? This is a carryover from the socialist "Big Brother" mentality of the beginnings of the state. Furthermore, the programming, reporters and interviewers on Channel One are extremely biased, in my humble opinion. They can be so because of their governmental sinecure - that no one can ever be replaced no matter how unfair and unkind their behavior. I am always amazed at the aggressiveness and patronizing attitude of the presenters, reporters and interviewers on Channel One. Their behavior towards their guests always borders on rudeness. Then we wonder at the lack of courtesy in general Israeli society! The fact that every bereaved family has to also be exposed to the constant badgering of the television reporters also disturbs me greatly. Is there no decency left in the "news" industry? Are everyone and everything fair game at all times for the ever-churning cameras?
In any event, I am convinced that Channel One could be sold for a hefty sum of money, which could be used to lower our budget deficit. I am also convinced that a private company operating the television channel would be much more balanced and responsive in its response to the opinions, needs and wishes of the general public. All governmental bureaucracies in this country are notorious in their "public-be-damned" attitude towards the long-suffering Israeli citizen. Channel One is no different, but something can be done about it, for it, at least, is logically amenable to being privatized.
2) All ministries that spend the majority of their budgetary allocation on administration costs and staff should be abolished. I do not have exact figures, so I will refrain from mentioning the ministries I have in mind, but most of the government officials know which ones they are. Top heavy with apparatchiks, these ministries are a burden to the country instead of being of benefit to its citizens. Other existing ministries can easily absorb the administration and distribution of the benefits that these ministries are meant to give out. Of course, the labor unions representing these workers will close down the country in protest, but they close down the country regularly any way and for causes that no one can explain. At least then they will have a recognizable cause and I think that public opinion will overwhelmingly favor the closure of those ministries.
We all know that all governmental agencies perpetuate themselves long after the reason for their original establishment has disappeared. The United States has tried to close down its Department of Education for two decades, with every successive Secretary of Education during that time admitting that the department was unnecessary. Yet, it still exists, even though its functions are most nebulous. So, the closing down of our nonessential ministries will not be an easy task. I can dream, can't I? Also, it could certainly save the government a heap of shekels.
I have other brilliant ideas, but my chutzpah has run out for this column. I am now going to try and balance my checkbook. Maybe, sometime, I'll let you know how that turns out.
Shabbat Shalom.
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Originally published in the Jerusalem Post. The article is posted with permission of the author.
Rabbi Berel Wein, noted author and lecturer, is founder of the Destiny Foundation, dedicated to educating Jews about their historical and ethical heritage (JewishDestiny.com ).
There seems to be a general consensus among government economists and the Bank of Israel experts, as well amongst most Israeli political leaders, that at least six billion shekels had to be cut from the proposed budget. The rub always is, however, whose six billion shekels are to be cut? On that detail, there is little consensus.
Not being an economist or a scholarly professional maven on anything to do with money, I nevertheless have a number of proposals to advance as to how to cut six billion shekels from our government's budget. Since the average Israeli is automatically an expert on everything, I have no inhibitions as to listing my wise proposals for consideration. So, here goes:
1) Privatize Channel One television. Israel prides itself on being a democratic country with practically unlimited freedom of the press and of expression. As such, what is the government doing owning a television station? This is a carryover from the socialist "Big Brother" mentality of the beginnings of the state. Furthermore, the programming, reporters and interviewers on Channel One are extremely biased, in my humble opinion. They can be so because of their governmental sinecure - that no one can ever be replaced no matter how unfair and unkind their behavior. I am always amazed at the aggressiveness and patronizing attitude of the presenters, reporters and interviewers on Channel One. Their behavior towards their guests always borders on rudeness. Then we wonder at the lack of courtesy in general Israeli society! The fact that every bereaved family has to also be exposed to the constant badgering of the television reporters also disturbs me greatly. Is there no decency left in the "news" industry? Are everyone and everything fair game at all times for the ever-churning cameras?
In any event, I am convinced that Channel One could be sold for a hefty sum of money, which could be used to lower our budget deficit. I am also convinced that a private company operating the television channel would be much more balanced and responsive in its response to the opinions, needs and wishes of the general public. All governmental bureaucracies in this country are notorious in their "public-be-damned" attitude towards the long-suffering Israeli citizen. Channel One is no different, but something can be done about it, for it, at least, is logically amenable to being privatized.
2) All ministries that spend the majority of their budgetary allocation on administration costs and staff should be abolished. I do not have exact figures, so I will refrain from mentioning the ministries I have in mind, but most of the government officials know which ones they are. Top heavy with apparatchiks, these ministries are a burden to the country instead of being of benefit to its citizens. Other existing ministries can easily absorb the administration and distribution of the benefits that these ministries are meant to give out. Of course, the labor unions representing these workers will close down the country in protest, but they close down the country regularly any way and for causes that no one can explain. At least then they will have a recognizable cause and I think that public opinion will overwhelmingly favor the closure of those ministries.
We all know that all governmental agencies perpetuate themselves long after the reason for their original establishment has disappeared. The United States has tried to close down its Department of Education for two decades, with every successive Secretary of Education during that time admitting that the department was unnecessary. Yet, it still exists, even though its functions are most nebulous. So, the closing down of our nonessential ministries will not be an easy task. I can dream, can't I? Also, it could certainly save the government a heap of shekels.
I have other brilliant ideas, but my chutzpah has run out for this column. I am now going to try and balance my checkbook. Maybe, sometime, I'll let you know how that turns out.
Shabbat Shalom.
--------------------------
Originally published in the Jerusalem Post. The article is posted with permission of the author.
Rabbi Berel Wein, noted author and lecturer, is founder of the Destiny Foundation, dedicated to educating Jews about their historical and ethical heritage (JewishDestiny.com ).