I am old enough to remember the immoral, unethical and illegal dealings of corporate organizations like Enron, TYCO and MCI during the 1980’s. I was a little too young, though, to care very much about the ramifications of such proceedings then. Since I am not much of a historian, I cannot provide many of the intricate details of those events. As an “opinion monster,” however, I can suggest some interpolations how those lessons might be helpful with our current situation of governmental waste, abuse, fraud, inefficiency and corruption.
Mr. Musk, and his ‘band’ of genius I.T. “brothers,” have been empowered by President Trump to uncover every cost/expense which is not in the best interest of American taxpayers. This is a great first step much like the “law” part of the famous television show, “Law & Order.” I am now most interested in the “order” segment of the equation whereby we “punish” ALL of those involved in these crimes against United States’ Financial solvency.
In a phrase, I want the Administration to “name Names.” Much like the corporate malfeasance in the 1980’s, people paid-back funds, and/or went to jail and I want the same result now! Whether they be NGO’s (non-governmental organizations), government contractors, bureaucrats, ‘benefitting’ relatives or even elected officials, I want restitution, incarceration or both. It is not like just stopping it from happening in the future will ‘square’ it with the taxpayers by making them “whole.” It is those past transgressions that caused 36 trillion dollars of debt and those persons responsible need to be held accountable. Even if that only means being embarrassed for all of history and/or to pay a fortune in legal costs defending their pathetic asses and sorry souls.
As I mentioned, even though the “devil is in the details,’ that has never been my forte.’ If I do have any ‘strength’ at all it is conceptually “connecting-the-dots.” As such, I believe the most important ‘outcome’ of all of those corporate scandals were in the wholesale changes to the corporate Boards of Directors. As I recall, prior to Enron et.al., being ‘elected’ to most corporate Boards was a ‘good-ole-boy’ “perk” that executives gave to each other. This, being a way to ‘reward’ mutual support, understanding and compliance by providing warm-weather ‘junkets’ during the winter. There seemed to be de facto quid pro quo in which each Board Member would “rubber stamp” whatever each other’s corporate Executive Committee recommended.
As a result of lawsuits, prison sentences, fear of repercussions and public/media (there were true journalists back then), OUTCRY, Boards of Directors became much more liable for their company’s actions. In other words, major changes were made to corporate charters regarding the fiduciary responsibilities and accountability for which the Boards were handsomely compensated. I believe that the courts became much more willing to support these changes. Consequently, the “new” Boards were required to have a greater ‘watchdog’ role in which the corporate executives were questioned/challenged much more often than previously by those ‘older’ Boards. This major revision of corporate operating procedure resulted in a much ‘cleaner’ bottom line of efficiency and effectiveness.
So, how does this historical lesson keep us from being doomed to repeat it with DOGE? Much like the corporate Boards of Directors were identified by name, our elected officials are charged with playing the same “fiduciary” role with tax payer money. It seems like every organization, EXCEPT the Federal Government, has Boards of Governors, Trustees or Directors to protect its stockholders or STAKEHOLDERS. Therefore, as far back as possible, I suggest that every single Congressional member who ever served on any Committee responsible for any supervisory “oversight” be brought to answer for any of their ‘actions’ or non-actions identified by DOGE. I think that censure, impeachment, suspension, expulsion, lawsuit or any other remedy should be considered.
Furthermore, I would demand a list of all those people who were given ‘preferential’ treatment, made “sweetheart” deals, received “payola-type” gifts, awarded ‘bogus’ grants, given non-bid contracts, hired for positions as ‘unqualified,’ received “kickbacks,” and anything else that cannot be justified. I want the shell companies, the off-shore tax-shelters, the ‘shadow’ firms, and all the actual persons ‘behind’ such organizations are named, shamed and brought to justice.
As Mr. Musk stated, what has been missing from Washington bureaucracy has been the concept of “care.” The is an old (and pathetic) expression: “Good Enough for Government Work.” That would indicate that working for the Government requires less ability, excellence and caring that a corresponding job in the private sector. Much like another worn-torn expression “Close Enough for Rock & Roll,” compared to ‘real’ music, somehow “less” than our best is totally acceptable. When, in fact, it should be just the opposite. Since it is all of OUR money, the federal workers should be the most “careful” as humanly possible!