Government at work

Once upon a time, the government had a vast scrapyard in the middle of a desert.

Congress said, “Someone may steal from it at night.”

So they created a night watchman position and hired a person for the job.

Then Congress said, “How does the watchman do his job without instruction?”

So they created a planning department and hired two people: one person to write the instructions and one person to do time studies.

Then Congress said, “How will we know the night watchman is doing his tasks correctly?”

So they created the quality-control department and hired two people: Lisa Denton

one to do the studies and one to write the reports.

Then Congress said, “How are these people going to get paid?”

So they created positions for a timekeeper and a payroll officer and hired two people.

Then Congress said, “Who will be accountable for all of these people?”

So they created an administrative section and hired three people: an administrative officer, assistant administrative officer and a legal secretary

Then Congress said, “We have had this command in operation for one year, and we are $18,000 over budget. We must cut back overall cost.”

So they laid off the night watchman.