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I Want 20% Less Spending on Swag: Obama

Tasks federal agencies with trimming the fat in four other areas, too

By Kate Seamons,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 9, 2011 6:59 AM CST

(Newser) – If you happen to be sipping from a promotional coffee cup bestowed on you by a federal agency, hang on to it: You might not be getting a new one anytime soon. As part of his "We Can't Wait" campaign, President Obama will today announce his latest effort: slashing waste. The president will sign an executive order tasking federal agencies with reducing spending by 20% in five areas that have been identified by a Joe Biden-helmed task force as particularly fatty: travel, technology, printing, autos, and swag. USA Today and Politico dig into the nitty gritty:

  • Travel: The upside: fewer TSA-induced headaches, as federal agencies will be urged to turn to teleconferences and videoconferences whenever possible.
  • Technology: Employees will be asked to streamline the number of smartphones, laptops, and/or tablets they cart around.
  • Printing: If it can be posted online ... post it online.
  • Autos: The government spends $9 million annually to ferry itself around DC. The numbers of cars will be reduced, and each senior official will get just one driver.
  • Swag: Say ta-ta to some "non-essential items used for promotional purposes," including clothing, plaques, pens, and mugs.
Click to read about another part of Obama's We Can't Wait campaign.
Barack Obama walks across the South Lawn after arriving on the South Lawn of the White House November 8, 2011 in Washington, DC.
Barack Obama walks across the South Lawn after arriving on the South Lawn of the White House November 8, 2011 in Washington, DC.   (Getty Images)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 53 comments
nyxpooka
Nov 10, 2011 9:48 AM CST
Um, ok....so Obama wants more money for "swag," and now wants to cut the "swag" he fought to get?  Its like buying a new pair of pants just so you can bring them back to the store.  He makes no sense, but apparently knows that he doesnt have a prayer of getting back into his sweet job if he doesnt start pretending to care.  I dont believe him at all...he is all over the map on his garbage.  He ignored the people for 3 years and now we matter?  Um, no...this is election talk and I think we are smart enough to know it...
b1izzard
Nov 9, 2011 4:08 PM CST
Wow, that will save hundreds upon hundreds of dollars. I feel foolish thinking he was a tax and spend liberal. :)
HotCopy
Nov 9, 2011 2:59 PM CST
tpotty idiots only fear really big sounding numbers they can't even fathom. They don't get it that these seemingly small things add up. but, please, gobermint, keep your hands off their gobermint checks.

 
Barack Obama • government spending • Government waste • Obama administration • President Obama • We Can't Wait campaign

 
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