Change practice to save money

We have all heard stories about how government wastes money. Why is it that most of the stories that I hear all stem from a management practice that is widely used in both the public and private sector, the "use it or lose it" approach to budget management? Department managers will spend all of their annual budgets because if they don't, they fear the following year's budget will be reduced accordingly.

As a result, thousands of gallons of fuel are dumped by military aircraft each year. Airport runways are repaved when there is no need. Use it or lose it. I don't hear politicians talking about changing that practice. Why not? I'm sure they've heard the same stories that the rest of us have.

George Peternel

Arlington Heights