Because of a jury-rigged and outdated system meant to track deaths, the government has trouble determining exactly which Americans are deceased.

The task of tracking deaths for the federal bureaucracy is an enormous one; about 2.5 million Americans die each year. Federal officials say the vast majority of these cases are handled correctly: The death is recorded. Government money is no longer sent to that person. But not always.

The U.S. government has a problem with dead people. For one thing, it pays them way too much money.

David Fahrenthold Quotes