April 15, 2012
Suzy Khimm had a very nice column in the WAPO today making what should be an obvious point. The lavish party held by the Government Services Administration in Las Vegas, which has been the lead story in newspapers and news shows across the country, would be standard fare at any major corporate gathering. In fact, it would probably be considered stingy.
The outrage is that this affair was done on the taxpayers’ dime. We certainly should be upset at government officials that use our money to throw themselves a party like this, but the fact that we even know about it is entirely the result of the greater disclosure required from government agencies than the private sector.
Khimm talks about how private sector values have begun to permeate the public sector as a result of increased contracting. This is undoubtedly true. But it is also worth asking whether we would ever hear about the lavish partying done by a Lockheed or the latest incarnation of Blackwater on their fat government contracts.
In principle, we are supposed to be saving money by using these contractors rather than having the government provide these services directly. If anyone believes this one, I have shares of a new social media company for you.
The world of government contracting is among the sleaziest places on earth. Friends and lobbyists are worth far more than effective and efficient service provision.
Anyhow, there is no excuse for ripping off the government with this Las Vegas party, but it would be great if the media paid as much attention to all the ripoffs carried out by private contractors. They are not hard to find.
Comments