Ross: America’s bureaucracy is no longer faceless

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.

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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.

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