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BUREAUCRATS
Some time ago we built our office building down
here in Florida. We also built one up in Ohio and
this gave us an opportunity to watch bureaucrats
up close and personal, and I can't really say there
are substantial differences between the north and
the south in this regards. In both instances we
had to deal with government regulators who issued
permits, inspectors and others who supervised construction.
I think it's good that we have such checks and balances,
but I'm disturbed by the inordinate amount of red
tape they create. I also find such bureaucrats to
be a temperamental lot who changes their minds at
the drop of a hat. One minute our water and sewer
lines were fine, the next minute they weren't. |
Most of the time you get the feeling
that the left hand doesn't know what the right is
doing. Frankly, I believe bureaucrats add at least
33% to the cost and time for such projects, but
perhaps I'm being too conservative in my estimate.
Obviously bureaucrats are not limited to the construction
field. We find them in post offices, drivers license
bureaus, and just about anywhere we have to interact
with the government. I'm certainly not suggesting
all civil servants are bureaucrats, but it sure
seems like they've got the lion's share of them.
These are people who like to create little fiefdoms
and thrive on power plays over the people they are
supposed to be serving.
You've got to wonder about the effect such people
have on productivity. For example, I've been reading
about companies who are privatizing the prison system.
Instead of the government constructing and operating
the prisons, private companies have gotten into
the business and are building and operating first
class facilities at a fraction of the cost than
governments can do. Some people are alarmed by this.
Frankly, I think its a no-brainer and smart business.
I guess the point is, bureaucrats impede progress
and productivity. They may like to create their
little fiefdoms and drive us all crazy on detail,
but I see them more as a barrier than anything else.
These are the types of people who see the glass
as half empty; they can dream up more reasons why
something can't be done as opposed to accomplishing
anything. I guess they have forgotten the meaning
of the expression "civil servant" which
is supposed to serve the public as opposed to the
other way around. |
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