As a public finance economist, I normally focus on big-picture arguments against excessive government.
If the public sector is too large, for instance, that undermines economic growth by diverting resources from the productive sector of the economy.
The damage is then compounded by a needlessly destructive and punitive tax system.
But I've also discovered that it helps to personalize the analysis by pointing out examples of ridiculous and wasteful behavior by government.
Wow. And here I thought California had a monopoly on stupid, petty bureaucrats.
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