The word “duplicate” is explained in my dictionary as “double or having two similar parts” or “replicate,” etc.

I have been a critic of waste and duplication at all levels of government, but particularly in the federal government. That had a lot to do with becoming a charter member of Citizens Against Government Waste in the early 1990s.

The most recent mailing by CAGW talks about its effort to save $400 billion by focusing on waste. They prepared a long list of outrageous deficit spending; sent it to the Government Accountability Office, which confirmed the findings.

Here are a few examples of the worst duplication, overlap and waste, confirmed by the GAO:

• 209 science, technology, engineering and math education programs in 13 agencies;

• 160 housing assistance programs in 20 agencies;

• 94 “green building” initiatives in 11 agencies;

• 55 surface freight transportation programs;

• 53 entrepreneur assistance programs in four agencies; and

• 45 early learning and children’s programs in nine agencies.

There are pages and pages full of evidence of such waste. Similar reports, sent to politicians in Washington over many years, have led to very little action.

Why?

One could almost hear candidates for office telling the voters: Vote for me and I will prepare/support legislation that will do this or that for you.

Isn’t it time to ask those people, “Who is going to pay for all you promise?”

Why am I a conservative?

Marcel R. Morin, Auburn