Why Washington Won't Work: The Systemic Failures of America's Government

Since its inception, the United States government has been plagued by a myriad of systemic failures that have eroded its effectiveness and hindered its ability to address the needs of its citizens. From gridlock and partisanship to corruption and inefficiency, Washington has become a symbol of dysfunction and a source of frustration for many Americans. This article will explore the various ways in which Washington has failed its citizens and why it is unlikely to improve in the foreseeable future.

Gridlock and Partisanship

One of the most glaring failures of Washington is the pervasive problem of gridlock and partisanship. The two major political parties, Democrats and Republicans, have become increasingly polarized, making it difficult for them to compromise and work together on legislation. This gridlock has resulted in a lack of progress on many important issues, such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure.

In recent years, this gridlock has been exacerbated by the rise of extreme partisanship, particularly on the Republican side. Many Republican lawmakers have become more interested in scoring political points than in governing, and they have been willing to obstruct legislation simply to make the Democratic president look bad.

Why Washington Won't Work: Polarization, Political Trust, and the Governing Crisis (Chicago Studies in American Politics)

by Marc J. Hetherington

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2705 KB
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The result of this gridlock and partisanship has been a government that is unable to respond to the needs of its citizens. Important legislation is often stalled for years, or even decades, while the two parties bicker and point fingers at each other.

Corruption and Influence

Another major failure of Washington is the widespread corruption and influence that has permeated the government. Many elected officials and government bureaucrats have been found to have engaged in corrupt activities, such as bribery, insider trading, and campaign finance violations.

This corruption has led to a loss of trust in the government and a feeling that those in power are more interested in lining their own pockets than in serving the people. It has also made it difficult for the government to address important issues, as special interests are able to use their influence to block legislation that would harm their profits.

Inefficiency and Waste

In addition to gridlock, partisanship, and corruption, Washington is also plagued by inefficiency and waste. The government is often slow and bureaucratic, and it often spends money unwisely. This inefficiency and waste has led to a bloated budget and a national debt that is now over $28 trillion.

One example of the government's inefficiency is the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The VA is responsible for providing healthcare and other services to veterans, but it has been plagued by long wait times and poor quality of care. In 2014, it was revealed that the VA had been falsifying records to hide the fact that veterans were waiting months for appointments.

The VA is just one example of the many inefficient and wasteful programs that the government operates. These programs waste billions of dollars each year and they do little to improve the lives of Americans.

The systemic failures of the United States government have made it increasingly difficult for Washington to address the needs of its citizens. Gridlock, partisanship, corruption, inefficiency, and waste have all contributed to the government's inability to govern effectively. Until these systemic failures are addressed, it is unlikely that Washington will be able to regain the trust of the American people and begin to address the challenges facing the country.

Recommendations

There are a number of things that can be done to address the systemic failures of the United States government. These include:

• Reforming the campaign finance system to reduce the influence of money in politics
• Strengthening ethics laws to prevent corruption
• Streamlining the bureaucracy to make the government more efficient
• Cutting wasteful spending to reduce the national debt

These are just a few of the things that need to be done to fix Washington. It will not be easy, but it is essential if we want to restore the government's ability to serve the people.

Why Washington Won't Work: Polarization, Political Trust, and the Governing Crisis (Chicago Studies in American Politics)

by Marc J. Hetherington

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2705 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	358 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE