Government isn’t the problem
Public service is not for everyone. Becoming a public servant has traditionally involved some sacrifices. The pay is usually lower than for comparable private, commercial, and corporate positions. The opportunities for advancement are considered fewer. The counterbalance was thought to be the relative stability and longevity of government work.
But other characteristics of civic employment can include the non-material aspects of wanting and choosing to serve the public good, to help and protect others, and to be a cog in the wheel of a smooth functioning society. It is the basis of Republican government, a fundamental dedication, as Lincoln suggested, of, by, and for the people. Besides money and love, altruism can still be a lifelong goal.
Looking at those in these types of occupations, at local, state, and federal levels, at those personal friends, relatives, neighbors, and acquaintances you already know, what can be said about them? They are the employees, agents, and officials in public safety, education, government, and service organizations, all dedicated to care, supporting communities, and upholding laws and regulations.
They are certainly most all honest, reasonable, hard-working individuals who everyday go off to do their duty to the best of their ability. They are mission driven, passionate, problem-solving people and experts, who are there to solve problems that only government can handle, helping people.
This evidence can be from your own interpersonal knowledge, or from informative sources. The book “Who Is Government?: The Untold Story of Public Service” is by Michael Lewis.
Blurb: Who works for the government and why does their work matter? An urgent and absorbing civics lesson. It’s also our shared resource for addressing the biggest problems of society. And it’s made up of people, mostly unrecognized and uncelebrated, doing work that can be deeply consequential and beneficial to everyone. The vivid profiles blow up the stereotype of the irrelevant bureaucrat.
Those who continue to believe the dangerous myth that government is the problem appear to be on the verge of seeing how wrong it is- when its benefits, protections, and essential services are tragically reduced and removed by this vile administration.
Sincerely,
Allen BrandBremen
Trump and Musk suffer “Rapid Unexpected Disassembly”
Using a term that the Musk’s SpaceX team used recently, the multimillion-dollar ‘Bromance’ between 47 and Elon seems to have experienced a i.e. “Rapid Unexpected Disassembly.”
Much like the ill-fated SpaceX flight, the bromance was launched with a lot of fanfare i.e. chainsaw. SpaceX said “the start of landing burn is when it experienced a rapid unscheduled disassembly.” It’s technical jargon to describe the stage breaking up over the Gulf of Mexico. (not of America)
Musk’s Tesla stock has tanked and Trump’s threat to cancel billions of dollars of government contracts with Musk’s companies has ignited a new round of escalation in the explosive civil war between the two former allies.
“In light of the President’s statement about cancellation of my government contracts, SpaceX will begin decommissioning its Dragon spacecraft immediately,” Musk wrote on X.
Ian Miles Cheong, a prominent Musk supporter and right-wing activist on X, tweeted: “President vs Elon. Who wins? My money’s on Elon. Trump should be impeached and JD Vance should replace him.”
Musk, the world’s richest man, also spent much of the afternoon tweeting about Trump’s alleged ties to notorious sex offender and financier Jeffrey Epstein.
“Time to drop the really big bomb: Trump is in the Epstein files. That is the real reason they have not been made public. Have a nice day, DJT!” Musk posted.
The stunning collapse of the relationship was ostensibly triggered by Musk’s scathing criticism of Trump’s signature bill, which is projected to add trillions to the national debt.
I see a pattern with Musk who is following in the footsteps of Trump’s buddy Michael Cohen/lawyer who served as a personal attorney, and“fixer.” In August 2018, Cohen pleaded guilty to federal criminal charges related to his involvement in hush money payments.
The difference in 2025 is that Musk has more money than Cohen and this time Trump will be on the end of charges that Musk “will” make stick!
On June 5th Musk called Trump a liar and that he believes that Trump should be impeached.Bob Muckensturm
This article originally appeared on Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: Letters to the Editor: Is government the problem?
Reporting by Lancaster Eagle-Gazette / Lancaster Eagle-Gazette
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
