America in an Orwellian State of Mind

An Orwellian society, as describe by George Orwell, is the destruction of the welfare of a free society in which there is an invasion of privacy by constantly monitoring its citizens. Moreover, it is the encouragement of “doublespeak” which refers to misleading the masses to accept inconsistent policies. A great example of this is seen when the American people gave up their civil liberties and freedom in the name of national security.

On December 31, 2011, while many Americans celebrated bringing in the New Year, President Obama was busy signing into law the $662 billion funded National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) which focuses on the defense of the United States and its overseas interests.  Although the NDAA addresses US national security programs and the Department of Defense health care costs, it becomes controversial when addressing counter-terrorism. Title X, Subtitle D, Section 1021 of the NDAA, which is labeled counter-terrorism, authorizes the military to detain US citizens indefinitely without trial if the government suspects their involvement with terrorism or connection to a terrorist organization. To date, there has been no law in the legislative history of the United States other than the Patriot Act which has given the President such unlimited power.

As a result of this provision the act has been seen as both a violation of international law and the laws of war. In defense of the Act, the President has assured that his Administration will not engage in any sort of unjust citizen detention. At the signing of NDAA the President stated, “I want to clarify that my Administration will not authorize the indefinite military detention without trial of American citizens.” He further went on to state, “My Administration will interpret section 1021 in a manner that ensures that any detention it authorizes complies with the Constitution, the laws of war, and all other applicable law.” However, such statements do not prevent future Heads of State from acting in a different manner, and may result in America in fact being one step closer to becoming an Orwellian society, whereby a totalitarian government will dominate and oppress our civil liberties by fighting an endless war on terror.

The NDAA also gives the military the power to exercise firm and repressive control over the population, which in turn gives the military the power to operate outside the boundaries of our Constitution by constantly monitoring citizens’ activities to seek out persons of suspicion. Similarly, during the Bush Administration’s war on terror, the issue of detaining suspected terrorist for an indefinite period of time was brought before the US Supreme Court.  The Court held that no government has the power or the legal premise to hold a person for an indefinite period of time.

It becomes apparent that the signing of the NDAA goes against the very philosophy of our Founding Fathers who purposely created a system of checks and balances to ensure that no one governmental branch supersedes the other. With the NDAA authorizing the President and military to exercise an unprecedented amount of power unopposed, that system is rendered ineffective.  Realizing that such legislation is unjust, the Virginia Senate has taken the opportunity to stand up against the unreasonable application of government authority by passing a bill that prevents state agency from participating or assisting in the detention of US citizens.

Ultimately, although the NDAA was designed with national security in mind, it may be a grave mistake to allow the executive branch of the government to have such an unprecedented amount of power and authority. If such legislation remains, one can only imagine the abuse of power of future leaders who would allow America to closely mimic countries that use policies and mass surveillance to control their citizens. Thus, if this Act is left unchallenged we can only expect the slow destruction of our welfare, and the systematic eradication of our basic freedom and civil liberties, inevitably leading us closer to becoming an Orwellian society.

Defending the 98 percent

We all know the stories by now. Over-the-top spending by officials at the Government Services Agency (GSA), Secret Service agents hiring prostitutes while on the job, and numerous more tales of corrupt or wasteful spending by government officials.

In the wake of these scandals, Congress has convened several hearings about the issues. In addition, amendments have been offered on two bills to encourage greater accountability and transparency in government travel and conferences. A right move that demonstrates concern for better account of taxpayer dollars.

In spirit, the proposed legislations, H.R. 2146 and S. 1789 offer safeguards for federal employee spending on travel and conferences. However, ASPA and several public affairs groups are concerned that the legislations are overly expansive and could have a negative impact on the professional development of the 99 percent of federal employees. For while the recent news stories would make us believe that government is filled with corrupt, wasteful individuals many of us are aware of the reality that the recent newsmakers are the exception and NOT the rule.

That’s why ASPA is concerned about the amendments overly restrictive language around attendance and participation in conferences organized outside of government agencies. Restricting the ability of public employees to participate in professional conferences jeopardizes the important exchange of information that takes place between the public sector and nonprofit organizations.  Concerned about the impact of these particular sections of the bills, ASPA submitted letters earlier this month to several members of Congress voicing its concern.

A copy of that letter is posted on the ASPA website.

ASPA is fully supportive of the goal of reducing wasteful spending. We believe that the recent incidents have unfairly painted public servants as corrupt. Rather, our experience has shown that the majority of public servants are committed, hardworking and honest.

We heard this from several Cabinet Secretaries during the Town Hall Meeting held by the Partnership for Public Service during Public Service Recognition Week. Here’s a  video of that event.

Public Service Town Hall Meeting

As Congress continues to investigate and consider better ways to serve as stewards of taxpayer dollars, we just wish to remind members of Congress that there’s 98 percent of public servants that are already doing just that.

Social Media & Public Policy

By Kevin Fandl, Associate Professor,  American Public University

At the White House Correspondent’s dinner on April 28, comedian Jimmy Kimmel commented several times about New Jersey Governor Chris Christie’s weight.  Among other remarks, he said to Christie, “You might be misunderstanding the New Jersey state slogan. It’s not the ‘Olive’ Garden State.”  Christie took it with pride and a little consolation from Modern Family star Sofia Vergara.  But what is most interesting about this episode is that during that time, approximately 765 tweets per minute about the Correspondent’s Dinner filled the airwaves, mostly commenting on the remarks.  That night, over 60,000 tweets related to the dinner were sent via Twitter.

This is a new era for political commentary, and a new era for public policy analysis as well.  Whether it is a Presidential serenade on late night television or a $990 t-shirt worn by a candidate’s wife, we are living in a world where social network comments can be followed by instant reactions by policy makers.  Television brought to life key moments in the lives of politicians—but it took social media to provide an outlet to respond to it.

Is this a positive development for public policy?  It may be.  Facebook, Twitter, and blogs like this provide an opportunity for some to have their voice heard, especially those who might otherwise choose not to attend public forums or take opportunities to make statements in print or on radio or television.  It also provides an audience of concerned policy makers who pay close attention to social media and may change the course of their own policy development based on what large groups appear to be concerned about (think about Rush Limbaugh’s mishap with the Georgetown University law student, for instance).

But there are downsides as well.  For one, the ability to piece together a quick tweet or Facebook message without much thought means that thorough analysis and critical thinking skills are being pushed aside in favor of brevity and effect.  This dilutes the value of opinions about serious policy issues.  Another concern is that the ability to hide behind the computer screen may mean less open debate, conversation, and collaboration between diverse interest groups.  Town halls and city council meetings where substantive issues affecting residents are sparsely attended, but you can bet that when those groups implement new policies, there will be a whole lot of tweeting going on.
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Follow Kevin at #kfandl

10 Ways to Get Your Message Heard – Communication Styles Affect the Message

By Elaine Orr

There are as many ways to say “we’ve exceeded our budget” as there are to say “there’s a big snow storm coming,” but neither phrase is welcome in a city council meeting.  While wording and tone may not change the message, they may change the way it’s received.

Most of us do not need to be concerned that the media will latch onto what we write at work, though with open records laws the work of public servants can face more scrutiny. It does not take a Freedom of Information Act request to get you in trouble.  In the “old days,” you could remove a memo from the out box, but any email missive can be forwarded in seconds.  Best to think before you press send.

You’ve been asked to critique a proposal.  It could be a major policy change or a new performance appraisal system.  How would you approach this so that your ideas are in the forefront, not how you present your opinion?

1)  As in all interactions, respect is essential.  This goes beyond avoiding disrespectful terms.  Don’t be dismissive of others’ ideas.

2) Pay attention to the question at hand.  If an idea has been accepted and you are asked to comment on how to implement it, don’t take the reader’s time with you criticism (or praise) of the idea.

3)  Think before you write.  In the world of instant reaction, we tend to put fingers on the keyboard as soon as we have a thought.  Reflection can lead to more attentive comments.

4)  Open your critique with what “works” about a proposal.  Rarely is any proposal totally bad, and you give more credibility to any negative comments if you recognize the positive aspects.

5)  Be accurate.  If you are a top expert in your field you might have all the facts in your head.  Most people don’t.  Inaccuracies diminish your perspective.

6)  If you say something could be improved, give specific examples of how your suggestions will make a difference.

7)  Separate what you think about a proposal from the person who wrote it.  You could bias your response positively or negatively.

8)  Be as concise as possible.  Not only can a reader get your points faster, as you condense you see what is most important.

9)  Proof what you write.  It may be a reader’s unconscious reaction, but spelling errors and wordy sentences can make your response less credible.

10)  Be prepared to accept the views of others.  Self-confidence is an asset, self-centeredness is not.

If you read this list carefully, you see the first and last points are similar.  Subtle repetition can reinforce a position.  Respect is paramount. Don’t you agree? Tell me how you communicate not-so-good news messages.

And by the way, the softly falling snow will have an effect on the public works budget.

Showing Appreciation for Our Public Servants

This week we have been celebrating Public Service Recognition Week. And this year, it seems more important than ever that we highlight public servants who are doing great work. In recent weeks, we have all seen a bombast of news stories about wasteful spending at the General Services Administration (GSA), corruption at the Transportation Security Administration and a number of other scandals rocking government workers. We’ve heard the details and as more and more information becomes public, it is easy to forget that the individuals involved in the scandals are the exception and not the rule. But they are.

In an inspiring but honest Public Service Town Hall, Secretaries Janet Napolitano, Ray LaHood, Kathleen Sebelius and GSA Acting Administrator Dan Tangherlini spoke bluntly about the challenges that their agencies face as well as the need to encourage and build up public servants. The secretaries spoke honestly about the partisanship that has overtaken Washington and the overwhelmingly negative and accusatory attitude from many leaders.  They were also encouraging about all the things that ‘are going right,’ according to Secretary LaHood. Check out this post on GovLoop for some more details on this event.

As I sat at the event, I thought of the National Public Service Awards that ASPA and the National Academy of Public Administration present each year. The award goes to deserving public servants who demonstrate outstanding contributions in and outside their work environments. The recipients come from a diverse background, geographic origins as well as race and gender. They represent the best in public managers in all sectors and at all levels but most are unknown in the wider public.

The reality is that hundreds of thousands of public servants go to work every day with a goal of making a difference. The park rangers who monitor and maintain the nation’s best nature sites, your local police officer who protects your community, the federal employee working on environmental protections and the city worker ensuring access to services when you walk through the door. These are the reflections of public service that we want to highlight during Public Service Recognition Week. We rarely get to tell them THANK YOU. Public Service Recognition Week is a chance for us to do so and do it publicly.

Some contend that public service is a calling. Others argue it’s just a job. No matter the side you favor, it is likely we can agree that those who work in the public or nonprofit sector do so with a focus on mission and then income. And that should not be taken for granted.

As public workers come under attack (many across the country at the local, state and federal level have experienced furloughs and pay freezes) we should not take their contributions lightly. The result could be devastating. The Partnership for Public Service in a 2012 report revealed that only 6 percent of graduating college students was interested in working in government, either at the local, state or federal level. Asked explicitly about federal employment, only 2.3 percent responded that they plan to work for the federal government. The numbers are startling. They are the lowest since 2008 and are a good indicator that public servant bashing is having an impact.

Governments need the best and the brightest. And public service is still the best way to make a difference. We just have to be sure that message gets to the best and brightest. Let’s start sending that message with Public Service Recognition Week. Thank a public servant or ask about what they do. Starting one step at a time hopefully we can help shift attitudes and get our young people back interested in public service.

Fear and Ego

By Erik Bergrud, ASPA Past President

More than 1,200 individuals from throughout the world descended upon Las Vegas in March to attend what ASPA billed as the most comprehensive public administration professional development conference of the year.

In preparing to travel to Las Vegas, I finalized my daily schedule, resigning myself to the reality that I would not be able to garner many pearls of wisdom in conference sessions since I was obliged as then ASPA President to attend meeting after meeting, sometimes simultaneously.

Little did I know at the time that I would learn two powerful life lessons before I left Las Vegas.

In the lead up to and throughout the first days of the conference, much was made about my planned 855-foot jump off the Stratosphere Tower to raise donations for an endowed ASPA student scholarship.

I actually recorded the event and my employer, Park University, was gracious enough to post the video on its YouTube channel – ASPA Past President Takes Plunge.

When you watch the video, you’ll likely conclude that I remained calm, cool and collected throughout the experience.   The camera failed to record the inner conflict I felt at the time.   Even though I was secured by two well-trained staff members, I still harbored fears about my safety.

As I stood on the platform unwilling to look directly downward but gazing at the Las Vegas lights in the distance, I willed myself to take the first step.

The camera did accurately capture the euphoria I felt as I soared through the sky, a combination of the experience itself as well as the realization that I was safe.  What a rush!

The following morning, some conference attendees seemed a bit relieved to see me alive. It’s nice to be loved!

Lesson #1 – Move beyond your fears, take the first step, and you can make an extraordinary accomplishment!

One of the joys of the ASPA presidency during the conference is taking photos with students and international attendees.  Let me be clear – I enjoyed this very much, perhaps too much.

As the conference neared its end, I felt some sadness and emptiness inside.  My tenure as ASPA president had run its course.  This brings me to the “ego” dimension in the title.

In reviewing the title, one might conclude that I should pay tribute to the late Hunter S. Thompson for his inspiration.  I actually need to acknowledge a trusted friend and former ASPA National Council colleague who made possible my Las Vegas learning experiences.

Randy Robinson dared me, on Facebook of all places, to take the literal plunge off the Stratosphere.  When I returned home to Kansas City, I reflected on Randy and my Las Vegas experience, and I suddenly recalled a conversation which took place more than a decade ago while I served on the ASPA staff.

He told me that, by the time the annual conference rolls around, other ASPA leaders are more interested in connecting with the president-elect than with the president, who is a lame duck at that point.

After being continually sought after for more than two years, I did feel like a lame duck on the conference’s final afternoon and, in retrospect, even though I successfully avoided using the term “my conference” to refer to the Las Vegas Conference, my ego defined my conference experience.

If my jump reflected a battle between reason and fear, my tenure as ASPA president involved a struggle between good intentions and ego.

Lesson #2 – When taking on any assignment, check your ego at the door, then recheck it again and again!

My former boss and mentor, the late Dr. Jerzy Hauptmann, told me on many occasions that there has to be more to life than serving yourself.  As I approach post-presidential opportunities to serve my community, nonprofit organizations and ASPA, I will do so by first facing my fears and acknowledging my ego.   In the end, service exists for the greater good.

Student Loans – The Business

A common statistic quoted by many colleges is that Americans with a college degree will earn $1 million more in their lifetime compared to persons with high school diplomas. The notion that a college education is the ticket to receiving higher wages is a fallacy. For decades, this miscommunication has been used to mislead college-aged kids all over the country. Every year, the number of high school graduates and Americans that enroll in college grows. According to the US Census Bureau for the 2010-2011 school year it was projected that the number of students enrolled in college is 19.7 million, an increase from 14.4 million 20 years ago.

Growing alongside the rise in the enrollment rate of college students has also an increase in college tuition, which is causing the majority of students to turn to private and federal loans in order to pay for college. In an attempt to make college education accessible to everyone, the government provides low interest loans to college students. In the past, paying for a higher education was solely dependent on private funding; however, to support the increase in enrollment in the late 1950s the federal government took over and created cheap student loans for lower income students.  However, the application process is often less rigorous than the commercial lending process. So students, regardless of credit history or certainty of repayment, often graduate with thousands of dollars in debt.

Similar to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, in which the government made housing affordable, the government’s new business venture is giving easier access to college loans. However, this is having an adverse effect and is becoming the new financial crisis. Like the collapse of the real estate market, which led to a financial meltdown of US financial institutions, the current student loan bubble is going to have similar effect on the US economy. According to FinAid.org currently, the student loan debt is $997,137,000,000, (and will continue to surge above $1 trillion). This is even higher than the national credit card debt figure.

Every year millions of dollars are being paid in student loan interest. Currently, the Obama Administration is fighting to lower the interest rate on student loans, but instead should focus on stopping college tuition from increasing beyond the price of inflation. It becomes apparent that lowering the interest rate on student loans will result in students borrowing more money than is needed, which will inevitably increase the debt figure bringing the nation one step close to another financial meltdown.

Today, the student loan bubble is one of the largest looming financial crises in US history, and is caused by the willingness of the government to provide cheap and easy student loans. It is the notion for many students to think that a student loan is an investment in the future, and that college is a better place to invest in, but what many fail to realize is that the value of a college degree is declining faster than the skyrocketing cost of college tuition. This notion is causing millions of Americans to graduate college with mortgage-size loans while living with their parents.

Furthermore, adding to the propaganda, colleges are advertising the guarantee of job placement upon graduation. A prime example is law schools, in which thousands of students graduate with an average debt of $100,000 or more. However, upon graduating with such debt there are no jobs available for these law students as a law degree is slowly losing its value.

A college education is not worthless, but if Americans are going to overpay for education, then that education needs to be of some value upon graduating. Investing in a college education can be a smart investment; however, with the government’s willingness to provide cheap and easy loans to students, such an investment becomes wasted because the business of student loans is resulting in millions of students becoming indenture servants to the federal government for majority of their lives.