Washington Post Establishes Government Inc. Blog on Federal Government Contracting problems

Woo Hoo - Here is a newspaper that actually starts to use its fourth estate privileges and bully pulpit to monitor how government spends money.   That is different than just supporting what the Democrats want to spend.  It indicates maybe they and other newspapers are starting they need to spend more time on outing the poor WORK processes used by Government to manager or controls processes that allow fiascos to occur like the constant Dept. of Defense procurement fraud cases.

So, periodically, I will be quoting this blog...I did so recently, and have another to add later today.
If you are concerned about Federal spending mis-management, you might read this blog, "Government, Inc." at the link below.  They have been the best source on improvements in the DoD Inspector General's office.
vj

This article is from the "About this Blog" page

Welcome to Government Inc.

Dear Reader,

In launching this new relationship with you, Government Inc. would like to acknowledge that federal contracting may seem about as enticing as a plate of raw broccoli or a rush-hour trip around the Beltway.

Bear with us.

In time, we believe you will come to understand how amazing, strange and even infuriating it can be to watch how your tax dollars are spent. It probably won't come as a surprise that the government is spending more than ever before.

Consider a few statistics:

$412 billion, the total reported amount of federal procurement in 2006. That's more than twice the reported spending in 2000.

$145 billion, the total spending last year without full and open competition.

$31.5 billion, the 2006 revenue of Lockheed Martin, the government's No. 1 number one federal contractor. It's worth noting that the figure is more than 40 countries' gross domestic product.

There are people who contend that federal procurement is out of control. They point to examples of fraud, waste, and failed systems, to an overworked and understaffed contracting workforce that can't keep up. They argue that government is becoming overly dependent on contractors.

Others favor the continued expansions of "reforms" that have loosened the procurement process in recent years. They want government to operate more like a business, with flexible "partnerships" between agencies and contractors. These advocates say that speed and convenience should trump time-consuming procedures like competition.

Government Inc. will attempt to shine the bright light of reporting on the good, the bad and the sometimes very unsettling. Please let us know what you think.

All ideas, tips and especially documents are welcome. Send to confidentialinfo@washpost.com. All correspondence will be confidential. If possible, please include contact information.