How Government Works

Once upon a time the government had a vast scrap yard in the

middle of a desert.

Congress said, "Someone may steal from it at night." So they

created a night watchman position and hired a person for the

job.

Then Congress said, "How does the watchman do his job

without instruction?" So they created a planning department

and hired two people, one person to write the instructions,

and one person to do time studies.

Then Congress said, "How will we know the night watchman is

doing the tasks correctly?" So they created a Quality Control

department and hired two people. One to do the studies and

one to write the reports.

Then Congress said, "How are these people going to get

paid?" So they created the following positions, a time

keeper, and a payroll officer, then hired two people.

Then Congress said, "Who will be accountable for all of

these people?" So they created an administrative section and

hired three people, an Administrative Officer, Assistant

Administrative Officer, and a Legal Secretary.

Then Congress said, "We have had this command in operation

for one year and we are $18,000 over budget, we must cutback

overall cost." So they laid off the night watchman.