DAVE ROSS

Ross: America’s bureaucracy is no longer faceless

Jan 17, 2019, 9:20 AM | Updated: 4:19 pm

shutdown...

Federal employee Marcus Walker joined other federal employees and supporters at the Sacramento International Airport calling for President Donald Trump and Washington lawmakers to end the partial government shutdown, Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2019, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

(AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

It’s is an American tradition to rant against the bureaucracy. It’s the perfect target: it’s big, it’s slow, its inner workings are a mystery.

But thanks to the Great American Shutdown, every day we are hearing the stories of the people who make up that bureaucracy.

RELATED: Why it’s called a “Trump shutdown”
RELATED: The Great American Border Safety Shutdown
RELATED: Can the private sector help when leaders go AWOL?

And it turns out they do have faces. And they have families. And they have mortgage payments and daycare bills, just like the rest of us.

Except unlike the rest of us, they can be forced by law to work without pay.

And that has prompted their neighbors to take action. Communities are setting up food pantries. Businesses are offering part-time work. Local banks are being flexible about payments.

Suddenly, instead of ranting against the bureaucracy, Americans are giving it a bear hug.

And now it’s the political apparatus letting this happen — that’s become the faceless monster.

This week a federal judge ruled that by law, unpaid federal employees have no right to stay home, because it would create chaos.

But you know what would really create chaos? When the law starts losing its moral authority. How can a government that stiffs its own workers presume to enforce labor laws?

People may even start wondering why they should pay taxes to a government that isn’t paying its employees? Especially since the IRS has furloughed most of its auditors. Yikes! Let’s hope that doesn’t go viral. There’d be no money for anything!

We’d have to pair off and pat each other down.

Dave's Commentary

Dave Ross on KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM
  • listen to dave rossTune in to KIRO Newsradio weekdays at 5am for Dave Ross on Seattle's Morning News.

Dave Ross

car culture...

Dave Ross

Ross: Are we killing car culture? Or is car culture killing the US?

I don’t think the question is whether we're going to "kill" our car culture. The real question is can we stop our car culture from killing the U.S.?

3 days ago

drivers data insurance...

Dave Ross

Ross: As cars release driving data to insurance, is your driving my business?

Every move you make, every swerve you take, every lane change you fake – someone’s watching you. Do drivers have a right to keep driving data private?

10 days ago

rent control...

Dave Ross

Ross: Rent control was never the answer in Wash.

The rent control bill died in the Washington State Legislature this week, even though Democrats control both houses.

1 month ago

end of democracy...

Dave Ross

Ross: Conservative activist earns applause for pledging an ‘end of Democracy’

The theme from Jack Posobiec's speech is that Jan. 6 was a righteous attack not on democracy, but on those who threaten democracy.

1 month ago

Image: Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colorado, is seen on Capitol Hill on Jan. 6, 2023. (Photo: Alex Brand...

Dave Ross

Ross: Voters can help cull bad politicians from the herd early

Let's remember that just about every occupant of a higher office once occupied a lower office, and was put there by us, Dave Ross says.

1 month ago

Super Bowl celebration...

Dave Ross

Ross: The NFL does it again

The NFL once again put on a show that was able to keep me tuned in for four hours even though I had no stake in either team.

1 month ago

Ross: America’s bureaucracy is no longer faceless