Federal workers are both our friends, neighbors

The other night as I was going to sleep the following quote came to mind. “I don’t want to abolish government. I simply want to reduce it to the size where I can drag it into the bathroom and drown it in the bathtub.” (Grover Glenn Nordquist, NPR Morning Edition, May 25, 2001).  

As scary a thought as that is it is a nocturnal emission for the Libertarian wing of the GOP. With the recent election of dual presidents, plus the sycophantic nature of Congress and the majority in the Supreme Court, Grover’s dream is fast becoming a reality. 

With the Jan. 25, 2025, firing of 17 inspectors general of various federal cabinet departments and agencies there is no longer any oversight, accountability or review of potentially illegal actions. Couple that with the chainsaw-like termination of thousands of federal workers and we have a real problem with maintaining the services we have come to rely on.  

Planning on visiting a national park? Be prepared for long lines and dirty toilets. Planning on flying soon? The Federal Aviation Administration is drastically understaffed and accidents are on the increase. Who you going to call when a wildfire starts?  

Remember, 80% of federal workers nationwide are your neighbors. 

GIL BEYER

Sandpoint