America’s government in Washington is broken and unresponsive. By and large, our elected officials have become so focused on the governing processes that little or nothing is getting done. Particularly, for the last three years they have been gridlocked in bureaucratic shuffling, and we have seen scant production. That is the new normal. Let me expand on this.
In government affairs, those at the very top crave resolution to problems and needs. But those responsible for generating those resolutions tend to justify their existence by meeting, debating, scheming, delaying, and making excuses. Producing results would leave them no opportunity to practice their bureaucratic expertise. It’s like a chef over-cooking a steak because he wants to keep practicing his culinary skills. I experienced this at many levels in the military.
When I was on the staff at Headquarters European Command, my ultimate on-location boss was a four-star general, the commander-in-chief of all US forces in Europe. I led a small staff responsible for preparing the four-star for Congressional Testimony several times a year. The problem was I had a two-star and a three-star between me and the four-star. I spent almost all my time forwarding paper after paper from my staff and attending meeting after meeting with my immediate bosses. My production was gummed up by the most minute and senseless tweaks to the final advice for the four-star. Yet the four-star was always asking for quicker responses and wasn’t interested in unanimity of the staff or absolute perfection. Our products were usually late and often inferior due to the process.
I see the same wasteful processes in Washington. We have a businessman for our president who is a problem solver–a results man. He was not raised in the environment of government paralysis. Unfortunately, he has to suffer a Congress, particularly the Democratic-controlled House, that glories in processes, rules, and partisan showmanship. To them, congressional process is not a means to an end but an end in itself. Legislators measure their success not in productivity but in how to work the system for partisan gain. Their objectives are to hold the hard line, over-analyze the issues, and use delay tactics to wear down the opposition.
It is amazing that the president has accomplished so much in three years regardless of the quagmire on the Hill. We will never know what advances could have been made for our nation had the legislative branch produced instead of processed.
The impeachment process in particular has completely consumed the House for over three years. From the get-go, every member of Congress knew the allegations were baseless and would result in the ultimate exoneration of the president. Yet the majority chose to disregard the obvious result and ignore the dire need for many legislative actions that would improve the lives of Americans. They opted to immerse themselves in the agonizing process of impeachment that would logjam all of Washington. In 2020, we must act on what we have experienced.
Between now and November, we must be aggressive and determined to reelect the most results-oriented president in our history. We must act similarly to fill the congressional seats with those who are committed to streamlining process in order to produce. If you agree, please like and share this post.