There are many things a person can learn from reading Who Is Government? Edited by Michael Lewis. The government is often described in disparaging terms such as the “bureaucracy”, the “deep state”, and the “swamp.” In an effort to privatize the commons the Republican Party has constantly advocated for less government since the time of Ronald Reagn who declared in his inaugural address in January 1981 that government was not a solution but a problem. And yet Americans are very dependent on governmental services at all levels from the Federal, to the State, to the county, to the local.
Who Is Government? goes beyond the typical headlines and political drama to showcase the crucial work performed by dedicated civil servants. It illustrates how government functions, often quietly and effectively, in areas like mine safety, cybersecurity, veteran affairs, and scientific research. By providing concrete examples of essential public services, it helps readers understand the vital role government plays in their daily lives, from protecting national security to ensuring public health and safety.
What are some of the important government services that have contributed most significantly to your quality of life that you are most grateful for? Will you say thank you to a public servant today to recognize and acknowledge their service? Just as it has become common for us to thank military veterans by saying “Thank you for your service”, shouldn’t we be saying that to all our public employees who strive to make our society more effective, efficient, and satisfying?
The destruction of the civil service in favor of political appointees is one of the policy travesties of the Republicans who want the US governmental work force to revert back to the spoil system.
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