Bureaucracy shouldn't trump citizens' needs

Should government be run as a business? Frequently, candidates and constituents alike put forth the idea that success in business will translate into success in government policy. National aspirants expose this thought year after year with the likes of Ross Perot, Steve Forbes, Herman Cain, and most recently, Donald Trump.

Undoubtedly, leadership qualities that are developed in a business environment crossover well to attributes that a candidate must have to be successful. Another important factor is the insight gained by a business owner, or executive, as to the impact that government policies have over the success of a business. While the aforementioned qualities may demonstrate a person’s abilities to function within government, they don’t truly answer the question about whether or not government should be run as a business.

With one of the most frequent complaints about government being inefficiency, it is easy to respond that government should be run as a business. If we add the perception of bloated budgets and wasteful spending, the cry for a strong business mind to be in public service becomes clear. One of the primary objectives of a successful business is to operate as efficiently as possible by reducing costs and eliminating unnecessary expenditures. Ideally, having people in public service who possess, or can recognize, the traits of a successful business would lead to leaner, more efficient government. We should experience agencies, and legislation, that attempt to shrink budgets, reduce costs, and hold to their intended purpose.

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