Is running our government agencies like a business a smart idea? We hear some elected and not elected leaders describing how much better that would be. I honestly have to ask why? What makes anyone believe that?
If we consider what corporations have done over the years it may give us some pause. At the turn of the 20th century railroads were king. Privately operated public transportation service (buses) dominated in many cities. Where are they today and why. Years ago an executive with one of the train companies was asked, “what is his business?” I imagine some rotund individual with a cigar in his mouth and a pocket watch on a chain in his vest promptly replying, my business is trains. The industry proceeded to decline in the ensuing years being replaced by cars, trucks, boats and airplanes. What happened to the king? Perhaps he never understood his business which wasn’t trains but rather transportation. None of these transportation entrepreneurs ever thought to get involved in cars, trucks, etc to diversify or enhance transportation, that was their business. They lacked the foresight needed for diversification.
As the suburbs grew out from our cities one company reached out to join in this outward growth. Sears & Roebucks moved to the suburbs. Over time as shopping malls proliferated the name, Sears less Roebucks, was a major anchor store in most. Then there we’re fewer, then none just vacant structures. Perhaps the changing economy, more competition, big box and warehouse type stores or the online purchasing on the internet brought their demise. Regardless the corporate big wigs never saw change coming and couldn’t adapt to the changing environment in which Sears operated. Their business wasn’t simply operating stores, it was selling merchandise by various means not only in a brick and mortar structure.
How does the public sector, our government fit into this mix? Do we believe government is functioning so that no change is needed nor wanted? If we accept as many claim that government is the problem, then adaptation to the environment that public administration operates in does not matter. Do we intentionally let government follow the declining path of some corporations? Do we ride this train to the end of the track and see vacant structures which once operated daily and provided people needed services?
When trains and city bus service failed our government, federal, state and municipal jumped in. These governmental agencies were not looking to acquire a dying or dead business. People still needed buses and trains to get around. Perhaps these users tended to be people on the lower economic scale. We must never be in the business of neglecting our neighbors be them rich or poor. We must also realize that we have many excellent public sector employees despite what we too often hear of them. The public sector has educated public administrators, qualified and experienced people. We have organizations that have both a formal and less formal group leading these operations. These appear like many corporations, but there is a major difference. There is no bottom line per se other than needed public services. The goal is to ensure that necessary services are provided in an efficient and effective manner.
Our current times often seem to go counter to this belief. Neglect of the mainstream Americans and subsiding the well to do must be stopped. Trickle down is nonsense. It is our job as Americans to insure the public sector is adapting and working properly. Knowing what is happening and adjusting to the needs those changes require is what our leaders need to understand.
Phil's Personal Perspectives 