One thing that we are privileged to be able to do in these pages is cast an eye to both sides of the Atlantic, at government and governance in Ireland, at government and governance here in the United States.
The contrast in scale between the two countries is a wide one. The contrast in approach to government and governance is, of late, a veritable chasm.
Here's what the recently elected Irish government had to say, in part, about its plans for government and governance: "In this Programme for Government, we are asserting our ambition to meet these challenges, repair the damage that has been inflicted by the pandemic, and take the renewed spirit arising from these challenging times and translate it into action – action that can deliver a better quality of life for all...."
And there's more: "At a time of geopolitical upheaval and challenges to democracy, the Irish people have given a significant mandate for a Government which can provide stability and deliver progress. Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Independents have come together in partnership to form a stable majority to deliver an ambitious programme and five Budgets.
"The Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael parties, as well as the independent representatives, who will participate in and support the new government, are committed to delivering for all people and all regions across our shared island over the next five years. This is a programme of investment and reform, backed by ambitious and credible actions, which will protect those things which our country values and relies upon, while also supporting significant progress in addressing critical social, economic, political, demographic and environmental challenges."
Ah, sweet, though, yes, some might be forgiven for being a tad skeptical. Governments tend to blow their trumpets and sometimes the notes, ultimately, fall flat.
Over on this side the trumpets are being blown and the walls of government are tumbling down in what appears to be a sociopathic assault on not just the nuts and bolts of government, but the very idea of governance beyond one, two or a handful of individuals.
The result? Jobs being lost, lives upended, dreams on hold, perhaps gone for ever. It's early days and the knock-on effects of DOGE, the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, are only beginning to show themselves. They will, for sure, reach far beyond government, into the private sector and beyond the borders of the United States. This isn't an effort to trim waste. It's an all out assault on government of the people, by the people, for the people.
If efficiency was the true aim of the DOGE cabal it would have a work plan stretching out over the next four years. Efficiency in government is a good thing. Wasting taxpayer money is not. But it takes time, effort and study to separate money well spent from money wasted.
Time, in this instance, has nothing to do with it. And so it goes on before a cowed Congress and a population that is in part shocked and horrified, and, yes, in part, if some opinion polls are to be believed, cheering on a loss of jobs and livelihoods.
It would be hard to imagine Irish voters cheering on a government that sets out to gut its civil service, decimate jobs and wreck lives. Hard indeed.
In the middle of all this, eh, "American Carnage," we have the absurd situation in which House Speaker Mike Johnson is attempting to rally votes to avoid a government shutdown. Oh the irony.
Here's what The Hill newspaper reported just a few days ago.
"Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), the ranking member of the Rules Committee, was more forceful. He said Johnson is struggling to reach a spending agreement because he’s waiting for marching orders from President Trump and Elon Musk, the billionaire Trump ally who’s heading the administration’s cost-cutting efforts. 'First of all, he’s full of s‑‑‑. He’s a liar. And he’s a total shill for Donald Trump and Elon Musk,' McGovern said."
Ah now, steady on Congressman.
But here's Maureen Dowd in the New York Times: "Trump and Musk see government workers as losers for devoting themselves to public service rather than chasing dollars. The two are freezing programs, firing federal workers en masse, ripping apart the government and decimating agencies with no precision, transparency or decency. Republicans are cowering, and Democrats are frozen like the townsfolk in western when the bad guys take over."
Well, Democrats other than Representative McGovern perhaps.
Embedded in this editorial is a logo for DOGE. It's not exactly inspiring. There's no bald eagle, no line like E Pluribus Unum. Just a dollar sign. Well, we can see where the money to match that symbol is coming from. But where's it going to go?
