Re: “Musk upends bureaucracy at breakneck speed in D.C.” (Feb. 4, A1):
Have you ever observed that your own home has electrical energy 24 hours a day? Don’t you’re keen on that the water out of your kitchen faucet is considerable and drinkable, day-after-day? Even in dry years, now we have plentiful water. What’s extra, sewage disappears into the remedy system as a substitute of leeching out to poison our youngsters.
Not one of the above is true in a lot of the world, together with my native South Africa. However in contrast to Elon Musk, I perceive that the alternatives America provided me rely upon a federal workforce that helps our lifestyle. Federal staff maintain our meals and water provides protected and dependable; they analyze climate patterns and warn of impending disasters (after which assist us by way of them); they maintain bridges and airports purposeful and protected. Federal researchers construct American well being and wealth by creating new medicines. These staff serve all of us, usually incomes a lot lower than they’d within the personal sector.
Musk’s gutting of our federal workforce will impoverish us all. 1000’s of completed, skilled professionals will take their experience overseas — to each allies and enemies. Who will select to work for the federal government now? Not right now’s sensible, career-oriented school college students. A mind drain, as soon as begun, is nearly irreversible.
Susan Gaylard, Seattle
