Government at the Breaking Point
Erstwhile Government Executive columnist, professor and all-around gadfly Paul Light has a new book out on the state of the federal establishment. His take? Things are not going well. At all. In this regard, you can judge the book by its title: A Government Ill Executed.
Here's what Light wrote in a piece in The Politico this week:
The problem is that the federal government is perilously close to the breaking point. Unless the next president takes the lead in fixing government, he or she will preside over a string of meltdowns that will make the federal response to Hurricane Katrina look like a minor mistake.
Light's litany of problems the government faces includes:
- Agencies have missions that extend well beyond their resources.
- The federal establishment is "governed by a chain of command that defies logic."
- Political appointees are "selected through a process that guarantees delays, vacancies and embarrassment."
- Many federal employees are "motivated more by pay and compensation than the chance to make a difference."
- The growth in the government contractor establishment has diffused accountability for results.
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ABOUT THIS BLOG
Government Executive Staff Correspondent Alyssa Rosenberg takes a look at news affecting the management and operations of the massive federal bureaucracy.
After reading Lights article in context he's describing the gov as it exists today and always has, so its evident that as far as the workforce is concerned "what me worry"
dan ketter Posted Wednesday, May 14, 2008 6:41 PMI can agree with most the author's point except for pay as motivation for most first line and low level employees, it is the chance to make a difference that matters. Have you seen how many office building have lights into the evening, you will find the people trying to make a difference. It is the first line that keeps events like Katrina from being worse than they were. After 20 years in federal service, my observation it is the upper levels of management and those SES who think and act like they are schedule C employees that are major source of the problems. The other issues is that managers and supervisors are not held accountable for managing and supervisoring.
John Posted Thursday, May 15, 2008 6:20 AMLet me bring up 2 of Light's points:
Many federal employees are "motivated more by pay and compensation than the chance to make a difference."
The reason that is true is because every time we try to make a contribution or try to feel good about the work we do, we are crushed by management; by their pettiness, their inability to make a decision, and their incompetence. This goes for the political heads of agencies too. There is no recognition, no pat's on the back, except to their pets who are too busy sucking up than doing any work.
Light's point about contractors also exacerbates the morale of the workforce. Too many points to get into here, but it has to be one of the worst decisions in the Federal Government's history. Too much money spent, no accountability, no guarantee on results, no oversight-all leads to fraud and abuse and a HUGE WASTE OF THE TAXPAYERS' HARD EARNED MONEY.
a taxpayer and a federal worker Posted Thursday, May 15, 2008 7:49 AMMr. Light is indeed a gadfly attracted to his own hubris. Mr. Light's perspective, expressed from and to those who have never walked the floor, stood the deck or been held accountable, rarely disappoints expectations. His often biased and misleading "research" has never positively contributed to the dialog or offered any practical or effective solutions. The federal government is anything but "perilously close to the breaking point." Could it be stronger, certainly, but it is stronger today in terms of financial manangement, transparancy, mission coordination, the use of technology, accountability, performance reporting and, yes, contract management than it has ever been before. Nevertheless, his doomsday quotes continue to be reported. He must, therefore, be an expert.
DC Fed Posted Thursday, May 15, 2008 8:37 AMTo which, Mr. Light needs to add that a significant portion of the federal workforce is disgusted and embarrassed by its leaders. Feds are no different from any other workers in that they need people at the top they can respect and be inspired by.
Bill Jones Posted Thursday, May 15, 2008 8:57 AMPaul Light is a hero of mine. He uncovered the truth behind the last administration's "shrinkage" of government--which all came out of the hide of the military it so despised, and which left us open to the 9-11 attacks. No wonder the leftist author of this article labels Light a "gadfly" and no wonder government hacks hate him! If anyone working in government doesn't see the disfunction it's because they are to busy sucking at the federal teat to notice.
Ron Posted Thursday, May 15, 2008 9:48 AMIt's amazing how many of us "get it" except our elected officials! All the pretty words come out during the campaigns but nothing is said or accomplished and the real issues are again pushed aside for the next person. That being said the problems and lack of "doing" something is at the top, who only focus on their self gains, what's in it for me. It's like the elected officials forget where they came from and why they are in office and what they are to represent.
KB Posted Thursday, May 15, 2008 11:39 AMI get it! I also get that the majority of Americans think the federal government is broken.
What I don't get is why none of the presidential candidates will even acknowledge that this problem exists, let alone address how they will "fix" our government. I find this disturbing.
Robert M. Posted Thursday, May 15, 2008 11:56 PMWhat the article doesn't mention is the way some Administrations subvert the mission of the agency. Those of us who WANT to do our job and do it well are held back by politicals who answer to the White House which opposes our agency's mission. So sad!
This situation MUST be addressed if government is to be effective.
Charleen Posted Friday, May 16, 2008 9:49 AM