Şeref Oğuz draws attention to spending: Where are the savings?

Economist Şeref Oğuz criticized the "austerity" that never leaves the government's agenda. Oğuz said that no savings are being made and, on the contrary, spending is continuing at full speed.

Oğuz's article is as follows:

"Not a day goes by without a statement from the government side regarding 'austerity'... It is already constantly on the Minister of Finance's tongue. The President also talks about austerity. There is no minister or public official left who does not talk about curbing the public's unbridled spending; 'we must take austerity measures.'"

The frequency of these discourses is the most concrete sign that the money in the treasury has run out... There is no money to give to zombie companies, cronies, or cohorts, but their appetite never diminishes. To suppress the cries of those who are fed by subsidies and have no production, they offer the consolation of 'let's save, we will find money and give it to you.'

WHAT STEPS HAVE BEEN TAKEN TOWARDS AUSTERITY SO FAR?

None. It was only talked about. Last year, the Minister of Finance's austerity circular was published. Forms were created on the Presidential website. It was said, 'Public officials should log in here, fill out the forms, and report what kind of savings they will make in which areas.' Forget about savings; they asked for more budget and personnel.

What is strange is the belief that they can console the masses who raise their voices against public waste with rhetoric rather than austerity actions... From municipalities to ministries, from government offices to the smallest public unit, there is an incredible hysteria of spending, and our money is being squandered recklessly.

TWO QUESTIONS TWO ANSWERS / Regarding the austerity discourse…

In which areas can savings be made?

The greatest savings can be made from subsidies that do not provide meaningful production. The wiping out of taxes for politically close companies can be ended. Tax exemptions can be removed. The reckless luxury spending of the public sector, unnecessary congresses, so-called workshops, and holiday trips can be terminated.

Automobiles and buildings?

Actually, although they have symbolic value, they are not of a size that would contribute to closing the budget deficit. Even if you sold all 115 thousand public vehicles and left the buildings they rent, the savings for the state treasury would only be 5-6 billion $. However, we need 226 billion $ just for principal and debt payments this year.

note / YOU ARE THE MANAGER WITH THE CAR, WE ARE THE PEOPLE, WE CAN EVEN GO ON FOOT

Hundreds of new vehicles were bought for TÜBİTAK, we announced it, there was no sound. Hundreds of luxury vehicles were rented for the Parliament, we mentioned it, nothing. We bought the 6th luxury vehicle for the President of Religious Affairs, we didn't even care... Let alone ministers or department heads, we are so extravagant that we provide expensive German cars even to experts.

If it were their own money, they would think forty times, but when it comes to the nation's money, they spend without blinking. These wasteful public officials even use public vehicles when going on vacation, transport their families with them, and create a burden on the state treasury with unnecessary trips, driver costs, and fuel expenses...

Especially those with sirens, don't even ask. With their bodyguards and escorts, they not only waste treasury assets but also grant themselves privileges in traffic and threaten or try to punish the citizen who gave them that car with their taxes. For some reason, the cars under these siren-wielding jackals are always the latest model.

They say there is no austerity in reputation. Well, you didn't buy the car you're in with your own salary... Even if it were your own money, we are not wealthy enough to deserve such luxury vehicles. Moreover, what is your contribution to the public, what are you managing that you are wasting my taxes with a car sultanate and condemning us to hunger?

Tevfik Fikret said in his poem "Han-ı Yağma" (The Feast of Plunder); "Eat, gentlemen, eat, this feast of appetite is yours; Eat until you are full, until you choke, until you burst!" By the way; let us know when you are full, because we are terribly hungry."