Reinventing the Federal Government

Overview

• The federal government is historically the most expensive, with a $1.5 trillion budget and a bureaucracy of nearly 3 million people.
• The Clinton administration's effort to reinvent and streamline the government aims to improve customer service and reduce costs.

Bureaucracy and Waste

• The federal government requires massive amounts of resources (e.g., 300,000 miles of toilet paper annually).
• Tons of paperwork and reports are produced, contributing to inefficiencies.

Clinton Administration's Plan

• President Clinton is committed to ensuring the success of the Reinventing Government plan.
• Initiatives include restructuring to improve efficiency and respect taxpayer contributions.

Challenges in Implementation

• Example: Smokey the Bear is managed by the Department of Agriculture, not the Interior.
• USDA has strayed from its original mission, taking on unrelated roles.
• The USDA was initially aimed at helping farmers but has grown inefficiently.

The USDA's Evolution

• Founded in 1862, it has grown to manage a vast array of programs unrelated to farming.
• The USDA's bureaucracy is difficult to navigate, with overlapping responsibilities and offices.

Subsidy Programs

• The USDA's subsidy programs, initially intended to support small farmers, now primarily benefit large farm operations.
• 80% of subsidies go to 20% of farms, favoring bigger farms and exacerbating inequality.

Recent Scandals and Criticisms

• Fraudulent subsidy claims by large-scale farmers and corporations undermine the original objectives.
• Lax monitoring and accountability hinder effective oversight.

Forest Service

• The Forest Service is a significant component of the USDA, with a focus on timber production rather than conservation.
• Criticized for building unnecessary roads and subsidizing the timber industry at taxpayer expense.

Rural Electrification Administration (REA)

• Originally established to provide electricity to rural areas, its mission has long been completed.
• Continued operation is questioned, with attempts to reduce its scope being resisted by Congress.

Attempts at Reform

• Secretary of Agriculture Mike Espy aimed to streamline the USDA, facing resistance from entrenched interests.
• Despite efforts, significant reform remains challenging due to political and bureaucratic inertia.

Congressional Influence

• Congressional committees and political interests heavily influence USDA policies.
• Agricultural interests contribute significant funding to maintain influence over legislation.

Conclusion

• The Clinton administration's Reinventing Government plan faces substantial challenges in changing established ways.
• Political, bureaucratic, and economic pressures hinder substantial reforms.
• Despite small victories, broad reform in federal agencies like USDA remains elusive.