Who Is Government

The summary (no spoilers)

This collection of essays, written by a variety of authors, began as a series project in The Washington Post last year, and then was compiled into this book. Each essay tells the story of a federal employee; someone who, without fanfare or acclaim, has solved an important problem or streamlined their department or just been exceptional at their job for years. Not because it pays well or is highly rewarded, but simply because they understand their work is important and they believe in doing it well.

Touchstones

The stories in this book include those of a mining safety engineer, the director of the National Cemetery Administration, researchers in NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab, an investigator of cyber crime, the woman making the National Archives more accessible, a paralegal in the Department of Justice, a woman in the FDA who streamlined the communication around cures for rare and deadly infectious diseases. In every instance, they displayed an understanding of their role as public servants.

"We are stewards of resources that belong to the American people.”

We are at a moment in history when waves of experienced and dedicated public servants are being fired without cause or explanation. That is damage that cannot be repaired. Is there waste and inefficiency in government? Of course. There is at your place of employment as well. But that doesn’t mean we throw it all away. There is work that we need done which the market will not do, and for which government is well suited.

“When our government works well, it is our best tool for building a country that works for all of us… We need young people who are excited about the possibilities of making the government work better for everyone. But we also need to make sure that there is a path for them to get into government and stay in government.”

My review

I found this book in a little book shop attached to the pizza place we like to go to when mountain biking in Cable, WI. I knew I would like the premise, and I was pleased to find it well done. These stories were a breath of fresh air and I would like to hear more of them. It is a worthwhile read. Civil service is such important work, and should be recognized as such. I give Who Is Government 5 stars.