Public Service

I'm sitting here watching Leon Panetta blow smoke about his career of "public service." He is talking about his commitment to it, and the foundation he started called - surprisingly - The Panetta Institute. He says its purpose is to encourage young people in careers of public service. But what the hell does that mean?

Public service on the one hand could be policy work for the government. On the other, it could be fixing streets. Which does Panetta advocate?

I have no doubt Panetta and his ilk desire to elevate the workings of government employees beyond what they are: bureaucrats. Exceedingly well-paid bureaucrats.

In these notions, I always come back to the concept of performance; when was the last time you received good service from your government? When did you think you got value for your tax dollar? When was the last time you called Social Security with a simple question, and it was answered politely? Or quickly? Or was answered at all?

Use the pothole test: how much trouble is it to get a pothole fixed in front of your house.

Still there, is it? I thought so.

No wonder judges give "public service" as a punishment to first-time criminal offenders.

Maybe Panetta's institute will advocate the policy of actually fixing potholes.