Thursday’s editorial on improving efficiency in government narrowly missed a vital element in facing reform. (“Improvement is about more than intentions.”) In mentioning the entrenched powerful interests, it focused on some of the politicians who will try to protect pet programs, but I propose that the real resistance will come those with a large financial interest in the status quo.
With billions of dollars at stake, we need the advantage of a reform process that remains highly visible at all stages of development to forestall the inevitable attempts at behind-the-scenes skullduggery that will be mounted by those who stand to lose comfortable seats on the gravy train.
Any competent warrior can tell you that the first step in winning in combat is to know your enemy, and make no mistake, this will be a war. Our enemy achieved his station through ruthless means and be sure he will not abandon them in the heat of the battle to come.
We cannot kid ourselves that this will be painless. There will be casualties and wounds. Corruption and greed have gone unchecked too long to be stopped with a command to halt. A return to government by the people will be a revolution. To regard it as any less would be to enter the fray unprepared.
Harold R. Pettus
Everett
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