Been there; done that.
Although some Executive Branch news this week was fresh (chromium and benzene levels, “morning-after” pill), big-ticket stories just wouldn’t fade away.
Hurricane Katrina response, National Security Agency (NSA) wiretapping or surveillance (choose the noun you prefer), Dubai Ports contract, and the pending National Security Personnel System (NSPS) stayed on our collective front pages.
A picture appears to be developing that the Executive Branch is not such a well-oiled machine in terms of seamlessly communicating vertically and horizontally to properly plan, analyze, and execute key public policy matters and program operations. Images emerging into the light are not flattering.
Unless you have a political ax to grind, our focus ought not to be on finger pointing. It should be on relishing our receiving an unusual inside view of Executive Branch operations. Who said bureaucracy is boring? With this present – or privilege – comes a public obligation to understand, examine, and discuss the relevant policies and procedures that direct federal employees who both oversee and conduct the public’s work.
We’re learning more now about how paramount to our safety and well-being are the daily inner workings of government agencies. News reports about Dubai Ports, NSA, and NSPS activities present different, though pivotal, challenges inherent in defining and defending our nation. The very nature of our free, open society, purchased by the blood and sacrifice of our soldiers over the centuries, places security and freedom in competition, if not outright conflict, with one another. Getting this right – being safe and remaining “free” as Americans have experienced it – will be very difficult and require close, ongoing monitoring and reevaluation.
Recalling Tip O’Neill’s dictum that “All politics are local,” the importance of Katrina won’t soon, if ever, fade from public consciousness. Never will we unquestionably expect that government actions to serve public health and safety will always be the most efficient, timely, and effective.
We’ve learned that we continue to experience a “communication” problem. That’s the worst news possible. Humans have been having this problem for the past 5,000 years and a solution doesn’t appear on the horizon.
If you’re looking for the good news, it’s this: sunshine is streaming into government corridors and conference rooms, promising with it a more rational and deliberative process to provide public services.
One thing’s for sure. We – you – at Understanding Government will be watching. We’ll be reading, talking, analyzing, debating, proposing, evaluating, and considering how to make this government thing work better for a greater portion of the populous.
I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait.
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YETMO: “You’re Entitled To My Opinion,” A Balanced Point of View
Fred W. Apelquist, III, M. Ed.
Approximately words.
© March 3, 2006