THE ELECTED AUDIT BUREAU. Feb 17 2011
The people in every nation need an independent elected watchdog on government. Every economist recognizes this fact! But as you know; every government also need this watchdog to keep them informed about what’s going on with the people.
The well-being of the population reflects the well-being of the government establishment. For stability and security the basic focus of government should be on the welfare of the population. Nations where this principle is not understood or misunderstood have a huge class distinction. Sooner or later this always creates a problem! This message is directed to the leaders of all nations irrespective of whether or not you are in a democracy, a kingdom, a dictatorship or any other type of government.
This message can be extremely important for the social and economic survival of many nations.
Many politicians and high ranking public servants do not know what is going on in their Nation or indeed some departments or agencies of government. Politicians and senior bureaucrats depend a great deal on each other and on their subordinates to keep informed. Often when problems surface they are not well informed. Politicians may see their major political risk as errors in judgement or serious mistakes of staff. The most serious risk is getting out of touch with the population. It is questionable whether or not senior people in government have full awareness of the detail and what direction funds take or where the money trail ends.
High ranking politicians are guarded and filtered from the general public. This guarding and filtering may cause three risks.
1). They are filtered from people and information that does not suit their intervener’s beliefs and/ or the interveners’ perception of the beliefs of their boss!
2). These top ranking politicians may receive edited data on any particular situation if they receive any information at all. Many major decisions are recommended by trusted staff and accepted without question.
3). The general public may receive responses and programs that for the most part have been reviewed the formulated and determined to the satisfaction of a stake holder without your knowledge.
4). Social, economic and other problems may occur and grow without the knowledge or approval of government.
Public Auditors or Auditors General reporting to government appointed Ministers are almost useless as they lack independence; may be influenced, and their information is always historical in nature. Their reports therefore lack the opportunity for an effective response.
The process to manage and control activities of government and taxpayers’ money should be a process that is engaged prior to the development of new programs and prior to committing funds. Waste in the form of bad contracts and contracts not being fulfilled, incompetence and over spending. Can it be that waste amounts to as much as seven to fifteen percent in relatively small jurisdictions and up to thirty percent in large jurisdictions or departments that are out of control? This critical process deserves great scrutiny and oversight.
Often there is a difference of opinion between government and much of the public respecting what is a proper priority. There are possibilities that $billions of dollars may be misdirected for one reason or another. Government should be aware of these types of situations. This may occur under any form of government.
The value and benefits of an Elected Audit Bureau will have on Public Finance and on the attitude of sitting legislative members (elected or not) of your government will become obvious. An Audit Bureau will strengthen government structure providing enhanced security, stability and assist economic growth.
Auditors in appropriate locations will ensure the legislative processes and the government administration are effective, timely and working for the social and economic good of government and the people. Government will always be in touch with the people.
THE ELECTED AUDIT BUREAU
The primary responsibility of the Elected Audit Bureau will be to keep the public informed on a regular basis.
The Audit Bureau will be a peoples’ advocate. The Audit bureau will prove to be a great asset to government and the population as well. The concept can be kept relatively compact and effective while having limited powers to oversee government activities at the three levels.
Auditors would be totally independent of the government and report on a regular basis to the general public through the media and regular forums. A minimum basis of an audit bureau would be access to information and the power to distribute the data.
The Audit Bureau however can serve a great many additional functions that will make government more accountable. The following explanation and lists are provided as an example of many aspects of government the audit bureau could engage in.
The responsibilities of the Audit Bureau would be as
follows;
(1) Ensure government accountability and transparency by informing their
constituents on important issues as they develop.
(2) Establish referendums when appropriate.
(3) Serve as a permanent continual auditor respecting government finance.
(4) Promote small business by causing government to level the field with large business respecting write-offs, grants, loans and subsidies, taxation and policies of all kinds.
(5) Monitor and take corrective action where necessary respecting monopolies and unfair competition.
(7) Monitor and evaluate appropriate legislation for social and economic impact.
(9) Monitor social practicality and citizen equality before the courts respecting criminal, commercial and social justice.
(10) Establishment of a citizen’s advocate. Act to assist the public in responding to government and business and the law under appropriate situations involving applications, competition, loans, grants, taxation and so on; including all aspects of government and business. The Advocate would assist government to manage requests, applications, approval processes, grants and loans in a timely and responsible manner.
(11) The examination and advising on contentious issues of any kind and providing detail to the public at any time when requested by government.
SUMMARY:
You may believe the above list is far too extensive and open to abuse. The program may require fine tuning to meet standards of government policy and priorities.
The elected auditors will keep you and your top aids in close contact with your people at all times and fully informed. Whatever else is going on, people will see that government have an interest in their welfare. What most governments do with respect to monitoring programs is not working. Nations of all government types require auditors who are elected and relatively independent. They should have sufficient powers and resources to monitor activities of government and junior governments within the nation to advise sitting legislators and the general public when appropriate.
There are various ways to establish an Elected Audit Bureau to suit the culture and social / economic situation of any particular nation. The following recommendations are offered for consideration:
The Audit Bureau may consist of two divisions,
1). A division representing geographic regions represented by candidates from within each region and. . . . .
2). A division representing the social /economic makeup of the regions.
Eleven social / economic groups would elect members for each of the geographic regions determined. Nations will likely require various adjustments to this list.
Auditors would be elected by and represent the following groups,
SUMMARY
Economic growth will be enhanced with this restructuring of government reflecting a sound, practical efficient control. Once in place this new structural stability and security will provide any nation the opportunity to assume projects and programs, currently not possible; although necessary for growth in economic and social categories.
All nations require a disciplined approach to domestic and foreign affairs. The establishment of the Elected Audit Bureau / Peoples Advocate will provide this necessary discipline. The people’s advocate can be your most powerful ally. Fixing any number of nominal irritants of the public will prove to be an extremely positive influence. It is worthy for government to have a focus on internal policies developed for people that in many cases are of nominal cost. The prospect of a full employment policy, low cost infrastructure program; low cost housing and stability, improved health care, advanced educational opportunities; plus extraordinary economic possibilities and many others will be within reach.
This may prove to be the first step in your nation securing your sovereignty, security and stability; stabilizing foreign trade, therefore your currency and various
other social economic issues. The government will always be in touch with the people. You will always be informed and always be in control of your finances.
This Program if and when enacted; refined to suit government policy and priorities will have a significant and positive impact on the public. The most profound future aspect of this Program, however will be the programs acceptance and perception by the public.
Copyright Feb 17th, 2011 by Gomburg Brown & Co.