I love Washington DC math. I'm already a math geek as it is, but when you throw in a certain amount of creativity, math can really be a lot of fun. I just wish there was a tangible use for Washington math in the real world. Balancing my household budget would be a piece of cake. If only...
This week, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius testified before a House subcommittee. She was questioned on an obvious budgetary fudge of double counting money saved from cuts to Medicare Advantage. During questioning Rep. John Shimkus (R) asked her,
What’s the $500 billion in cuts for? Preserving Medicare or funding the health-care law?
Sebelius’ reply? “Both.”
By the sheer force of her will power, Secretary Sebelius is able to take $500 billion in cuts and double that into $1 trillion. Her talents are being wasted in HHS. Surely the ability to double money on a whim could be used more productively in other areas.