The Hunt for Accountability

Update from the Editor: Our new star reporter Publius will be doing commentary on college football, college basketball and why Hart would make a terrible power foward. However his first comments will be directed on Katrina and the government. Welcome Publius.

Much has been written about the hurricane and the horrific aftermath of the storm. As I examine the news coverage and see the endless quagmire of human misery and suffering right here inside our own borders, I ask the following question: “What is our own government accountable for today?”

Since 9/11, we have demanded foreign governments be accountable for weapons proliferation, WMD, and harboring terrorists inside their borders. The new policy of pre-emption provides sanctions for nations who do not adhere to these rules. What is our own government accountable for today?

In 2004, President George W. Bush ran a successful campaign based on national security. Presumably he meant security from both foreign and domestic threats including natural disasters. The President made his case to the American people that he has made this nation more secure since 9/11. President Bush also made the case that he will make America safer if he was re-elected. What is our own government accountable for today?

Since 9/11, Congress re-authorized the Patriot Act, reformed the intelligence services, and oversaw the appropriations process for the new Department of Homeland Security (and authorized President Bush’s systematic under funding of FEMA). Individual members of Congress claimed that they helped make America more secure. What is our own government accountable for today?

Reasonable people can and should disagree about the role of government in our society. I applaud this debate. Yet, in times of national crisis and emergency, the President of the United States is charged with leadership. This role is enshrined in all that we hold dear. He is Commander in Chief and Consoler in Chief. He cannot abdicate this piece of his job description.

“The operations of the federal government will be most extensive and important in times of war and danger; those of state governments, in times of peace and security.” –Publius (Federalist #45)

What is our own government accountable for today? One party controls both the legislative and executive branches of government. The failure to provide security, law + order, protection against anarchy, and relief from this disaster is a failure of the highest order. Government has no more important role. Employees are fired for much less.

Limited Government does not imply incompetent government. Americans should have high expectations for our public servants and for our public institutions. Inept leadership, such as blaming bureaucracy, or federalism, should not be tolerated. It is time for a performance review.

“A feeble Executive implies a feeble execution of the government. A feeble execution is but another phrase for a bad execution; and a government ill executed, whatever it may be in theory, must be, in practice, a bad government.” -- Publius (Federalist #70)

What is our government accountable for today?