Although we've been inspired by some of the proposals offered by the presidential candidates, there has been almost no meaningful discussion of late about the systemic problems that are plaguing the federal government. In yesterday's Politico, Professor Paul Light--author of a seminal study looking into one of our favorite topics, the federal Inspector General system--argues that if the next president does not put forth any ideas for fixing the federal government, he or she might be facing a "string of meltdowns that will make the federal response to Hurricane Katrina look like a minor mistake."
In making the case that the government is "perilously close to the breaking point," Professor Light cites a number of problems that have been at the heart of our recent investigations, such as the decision to ground planes across the country following the release of an IG report showing that inadequate oversight by the FAA has led to the installation of substandard aircraft parts. He also makes reference to an issue that we've been following for years: the "hidden work force of contractors and grantees that disguises the true size of government and diffuses accountability for what goes right and wrong."
Professor Light points to these and other disturbing trends as evidence that we might be heading toward a widespread "government meltdown" sometime in the near future. As both parties begin gearing up for the general election in the fall, we can only hope that the candidates will heed POGO and Professor Light's advice by thinking more creatively about ways to improve government accountability.
-- Michael Smallberg
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