Michael Lewis on Amazing Government Workers (Al Franken podcast)

From the start of Donald Trump's second term, he's been eager to cut the federal workforce. So, Elon Musk headed the newly minted DOGE to begin slashing tens of thousands of jobs.

Our friend, Michael Lewis, author of "The Big Short" and, most recently, "Who is Government?," joins us to share stories of public servants who not only improved this country but have saved countless lives. Those improvements and breakthroughs could only have happened through the power and effectiveness of a strong government. 

Lewis warns of the long-term consequences of dismantling agencies like USAID and removing oversight mechanisms. The public might not immediately feel these impacts, but the results will eventually be catastrophic, particularly for vulnerable populations worldwide. Lewis explains that DOGE was never about fraud, waste, and abuse. It's always been about ideology, power, and money. 
Interview: 

https://youtu.be/pl0Eh0DlQps?si=RYu_p6xpCNq3OoWi

Opinion | A slow-moving crisis is paralyzing states and cities - The Washington Post

It's tempting to dismiss problems in public services over the past year or so as fleeting, driven by temporary labor market weirdness. But if the financial and psychic rewards of these jobs continue to deteriorate, core government functions Americans take for granted may be at risk for many years to come...

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2022/09/12/worker-shortage-public-sector-crisis/

Setting the record straight on charities and political speech | TheHill

There’s a core American belief that just about everyone agrees with regardless of political stripes: People employed to serve the public good should not, in their official capacity, endorse or oppose candidates for public office. That core belief, long codified in federal and state laws, holds true for all public servants, whether they are government employees or representatives of charitable nonprofits, houses of worship, or foundations. Yet, some in Congress are seeking to repeal or weaken this important taxpayer protection in the omnibus spending bill.....

http://thehill.com/opinion/finance/378439-taxpayers-should-never-have-to-subsidize-speech-by-politicians