Government never lives up to our expectations. Out here in the real world, when we pay someone to install a toilet in our house, we expect the toilet to work when he’s done. But, we don’t expect the same results from government. I’ve always said that the reason people who have been in the military for any length of time are conservative is because we’ve seen the government at it’s best and at it’s worst and it’s been our experience that there’s hardly any difference between the two. We’ve depended upon the government to bring us our food and our clothes when we need it most, and the government is unable to do the simplest things in a timely manner.
This whole Ebola thing should come as no surprise to anyone. The government is unable to protect us from the disease even though there is an agency with “disease control” right there in it’s name. Every morning, when I turn on the news, I feel like I’m in one of those bad movies where the government’s only concern is preventing panic in the population, rather than fixing the problem with which they are confronted.
Actually, instead of “disease control” the Center for Disease Control has been tasked with researching things that have nothing to do with it’s mission – things like gun violence policy and fat lesbians – to bow to their political masters, rather than science.
I’m not surprised at this particular strategy, I’m just surprised that no one else isn’t surprised that government is incompetent. Government is real good at telling we, the people, what to do, but they’re not so good at telling themselves what to do. We have government officials telling us not to panic and lying to us about the situation so we don’t panic, not understanding that the more they lie, the more panic they create. Just like in those bad movies.
We learn that there are are a few hospitals that are supposed to be equipped to handle Ebola patients, yet two nurses contract the disease in one of those facilities because they didn’t have basic equipment to protect them from Ebola.
The lesson of the last few years is that government is inherently incompetent, but, as we’ll probably see in the upcoming elections, no one has learned that lesson. In fact, we’re even willing to allow the same government that was unable to protect two highly-trained nurses in Dallas from Ebola infection to commandeer our own health care. Even after the government’s own health care system, the Veterans’ Affairs Department, has been nationally exposed as being incompetent – despite the fact that two presidents and four Congresses have been recklessly throwing piles of cash at the VA.
The reason that it’s been especially incompetent this year is because all of the crises that we’re facing are being viewed through a political lens, you know, with the mid-term elections looming next month. The political implications of certain decisions must be focus-grouped first and by the time a decision is made, it’s really too late for the decision to have a meaningful impact on the problem.
The only lesson of Big Government is that the more that you depend on the government in your life, the more you are going to be disappointed with the results. But, I’m pretty sure that isn’t the lesson the country is going to take away from this experience.
It’s unfair to blame government totally for the hospital’s failure to institute even the simplest infection control procedures, knowing that ebola was out there, the african man had just traveled from Liberia, and he was symptomatic.
I find more offensive the ignorant hysteria surrounding this. We know how ebola works. It’s been out there for a long time. We have not been blindsided, but some people have decided not to take this seriously and not equip healthcare workers.
Some hospitals have taken this seriously and are on the ball, assessing for this disease and doing the right things. NYC Health and Hospitals Corporation have been proactive in taking this seriously. Without panic.
However, you are correct about our government’s stupidity in not closing borders and becoming more aggressive in screening incoming visitors or doing the most basic things to see that this does not get out of control.
That Hospital is not equipped to deal with a level IV Biohazard pathogen….those health care workers were places at risk without cause.
The patient should have been moved to the nearest level IV capable facility….Galveston or San Antonio.
When you play the Super Bowl champions….you don’t send in a grade school pee wee team to do it.
The Government COMPLETELY failed in this case….and I speak as a Health care Profession with 30 years in the field.
A Physician….particularly one heading up the CDC would (should) know that.
And he’s an infectious disease specialist by training. You have to wonder about the quality of his training.
As I tell my kids, common sense isn’t so common, especially in government.
My favorite so far is the the unprotected protocol enforcer with the clipboard handling bio-waste.
The hospital didn’t have the right isolation equipment on hand. The nurses used gowns and gloves and respiratory masks for the first few hours and that is why they got Ebola.
I’m a nurse too and understand the difference between the Level IV pathogens and the rest.
Even Aids isn’t level IV and is really easy to deal with compared to Ebola.
I don’t blame the nurses nor do I blame the hospital.
The CDC should have been on top of this months if not years ago.
As an RN you know the difference too and shouldn’t be blaming the people that did what they were told to do.
Level IV is highly dangerous and requires special treatment and equipment and you know it…
You should also know that it is only a matter of time before it mutates and becomes airborne at which stage anyone without a current working gas mask and NBC equipment will be screwed…
Sheesh…
What really concerns me is that my eldest daughter is in school for her RN right now and she has to go to hospitals and clinics for her clinicals and I told her last night that if she finds herself in an unsafe situation, get the fuck out of there, riki tik.
Damn. That is one helluva piece blue-ribbon piece. That’s a hard copy and framer, Jonn. In fact, before I hit POST COMMENT, I had to look to see that it wasn’t penned by the president of Hillsdale College or something and reprinted with permission!
I’ve met Doctor Arnn a few times on campus. Really smart guy; he even teaches a few classes from time to time, though I haven’t gotten any of them.
Regardless, well written, Jonn. If I could make any counter, it’s that government isn’t “inherently inept”. It just has a tendency to be. You put good people in, and you hold them to what they are supposed to do, and they will work wonders. At the end of the day, though, put more faith in the common man than in Washington, and at that I agree with you.
The government is the best example of the “Peter Principle”…
Everyone rises to the point of their incompetence and one more step…
Most bureaucrats are completely inept…
I would respectfully disagree – our current government is set up to hire, be run by, and cater to the least common denominator of the populace – and it shows. There are sharp and dedicated folks here and there, but rarely do they hang around for any length of time. The majority of government is run for and by folks who are best described (gently) as aggressively average.
+1 to Thunderstixx’ Peter Principle. (The only flaw I have ever seen to that principle is in unions, wherein people often rise several levels higher)
Remember that line from Marky-Mark’s sniper movie?
“How did this go through so fast?
“We’re good at our jobs.”
“Come on! If we work for the Federal Government, we’re not THAT good at our jobs!”
“Government is often the last refuge of the nincompoop.” – Unknown
But, but , but we have an Ebola Czar!!!
This article speaks directly to your point:
http://thefederalist.com/2014/10/14/president-obama-already-has-an-ebola-czar-where-is-she/
Guy complains to city hall about high grass between the sidewalk and street, city property. Three weeks later the city truck rolls up. Four guys jump off, unload a port a potty and a lawn mower then the youngest guy starts mowing. Home owner, upset, goes out and asked, why does it take weeks to get the city our here and when you come it’s a 3 ton truck with lift, a port a potty for 10 minutes of mowing and four workers? The lead man on the crew steps up and says, Hey mister, this is city government. At least the grass is getting cut! Now owner asks, but why all the fuss for such little grass, if I had known, hell I’d have just cut it myself. City lead worker, First Union Violation, next, well you know the city government way of doing things, per Union and city regs we have to have, “one a comin’, one a going, one a shittin’ and one a mowing.” Your tax money at work.
Sorry folks an oldie but still in my coconut. Just a little example of far greater, Incompetent Boobery. I only wish Ebola was no more important than a strip of grass.
Absodamtively, Jonn!
The only disagreement I might have with you is that some of us were actually raised to NOT expect anything from government except unnecessary interference. Where it is their function to stay out of the way, they always manage to insinuate themselves into areas where they simply have no legitimate interest.
“Tht government governs best which governs least” – still true
And another thing… in your entire life, the absolutely worst and stupidest web interfaces you will ever encounter will be on Government websites. Whether it be navigation, data validation, load limits, form submission, exception handling, etc. NOTHING will fail “all of the above” like a Government website.
“The best minds are not in government. If any were, business would steal them away.” – Ronald Reagan
Frankly, I expect absolutely nothing from this government other than platitudes and press conferences.
We are not yet at the crisis stage that Sierra Leone has reached. I would prefer that we never get to that point, but I’m not in charge here, am I? No.
The cluelessness in this (lack of) administration is more worrisome than any rumors finding a home on the internet in quack forums. You don’t send military personnel to fight a disease unless they are medical personnel. What are they supposed to use? Harsh words? But that is what we’ve seen, lumped into the ‘do something’ slot.
I fail to understand why real health screenings, as were done during the days of Ellis Island, on incoming travelers originating in Africa were not underway from the get-go. If it offends people, I don’t care.
But that wasn’t in place, and now we face a crisis that did not have to happen in the first place.
I’m certain that today they think Medical Screenings for those entering the USA would be “unjust” and “discriminatory”.
If they would have just had a travel ban into the country this wouldn’t even be an issue right now. Apparently Liberians and other west African citizens have more right to enter the United States than U.S. citizens do to live.
This fucking administration.
Story time:
I was working on the North Slope in 1999. We had a Canadian made piece of rolling stock that was specialized for oilfield work on the frozen tundra. It caught fire and burned while still under warranty. One of the things that burned up was a high dollar variable displacement hydraulic pump. The Field Rep showed up, but without the pump. He said that he carried the pump with him to the airport (in Canada), but a US Customs Agent there told him that he could not check it as baggage, that it was cargo. I found this hard to believe and I asked him if he was absolutely certain that it was a US Customs Agent on Canadian Soil, determining what constituted checked bags vs. air cargo. He repeatedly asserted that it was a uniformed US Customs agent with a flag on his shoulder and everything.
So, my point is… if denying entry to the 60 people who travel from Liberia to the USA every day will cripple their economy (bullshit), why don’t we post someone from the ICE/NHS/NIH/CDC/WHO etc. to pretend to do something effective? Clearly we had assets in place on foreign soil to prevent a new hydraulic pump from being checked as baggage back in 1999.
Talk about incompetent boobs, after all the past controversy concerning the Antrax shot(s) and the questions about what the effects are the Government may be covering up, and the in some cases of refusal to take the shot, I got my notice yesterday about what all it “may” cause. I’m to see my health care provider, fill out form eleventy-seven-thousand-something and I got 30 days. Wow. BTW, it may cause everything!
I got so many Anthrax shots that now my kids are immune.
Here is the short list of causes:
DIAGNOSIS’S REPORTED Anthrax Shots (List is based on actual diagnosis’s and not completely exhausted)
Acid Reflux Disease
High Blood Pressure
Adult-Onset Stills Disease
High Cholesterol
Allergies
Hypertension
ALS
Infertility
Anaphylaxis Shock
Interstitial Lung Disease
Anxiety
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Aplastic Anemia
Leukemia
Arthritis/Rheumatoid
Lesions
Asthma
Liver Damage
Atypical Pneumonia
Lou Gherig’s Disease
Autoimmune Disorders
Loss of Driving/Flying Privileges
Bells Palsy
Lung Disease
Below Average Intelligence
Lupus/Discord Lupus
Bilateral Knee Conditions
Menieres Disease
Bilateral Periventicular Placques
Miscarriages
Bipolar
Multiple Sclerosis
Birth Defects (Offspring)
Myocarditis
Blackouts
Myofascial Pain Syndrome
Blindness/Renal Failure
Offspring Deformalities
Blood Clots (Lungs, Brain, Extremities
Optic Neuritis
Blood Disorders
Organ Failure
Brain Damage
Osteoporosis
Bronchitis
Panic Attacks
Cancer (Reproductive, Brain, Organ
Paralysis
Cardiac Arrest
Paranoia
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Parestheia
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Peripheral Neuropathy
Chronic Pain Syndrome
Pneumonia (Walking)
Cognitive Disorder
Probable Somatization Disorder
Colitis
Psorias
Congestion (kidneys/spleen)
Psychological Disorder
Conversion Disorder
PTSD
Crohn’s Disease
Removal of Organs (Kidney, Liver, Gall Bladder, Colon)
Cysts (reproductive)
Respiratory Disorders
Death
Right Bundle Branch Block
Depression
Scoliosis
Detached Retinas
Seizure Disorder
Diabetes
Severe Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome
DVT
Sinus Infections
Eczema
Sjogrens Syndrome
Erectile Dysfunction
Sleep Apnea (Obstructive Sleep)
Fybromyalgia
Stroke
Gastrointestinal Disorders
Tendonitis
GERD
Testicular Failure
Graves Disease
Testosterone Failure
Guillian-Barre Syndrome
Thyroid Disease
Gynecological Disorders
Tremors
Heart Attack
Tumors
Heart Lesions
Ulcers
Heart Murmur
Uticaria
Like I commented on B5’s share last night.
Would somebody PLEASE take charge before it becomes a pandemic.
Anyone?
Bueller?
You know the bad guys are taking notes…
amen
We as Americans bear a good deal of the blame.
Why, you ask? Because we’re asking a government to fix fuckups that were in many cases caused by the government in the first place!
IOW, when do we stop trying to get someone else to fix our problems, and instead tell government to get the fuck out of the way and let us fix them?
“We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used to created them.”
Albert Einstein
Our lovely government, on why we won’t restrict flights from infected African countries: “it would hurt THEIR economies”.
The hell with American lives and our economy, let’s be more concerned about some third-world country first?
Bull-shit!!
” I’ve always said that the reason people who have been in the military for any length of time are conservative is because we’ve seen the government at it’s best and at it’s worst and it’s been our experience that there’s hardly any difference between the two. ”
Heh.
I came out of the military as a screaming, radical, uber left Social Justice Warrior and have been ever since.
This is why I could never be a conspiracy theorist or 9/11 truther or whatever. Point blank, the United States Government is to inept to successfully execute an attack like 9/11. These are the same people who got caught trying to smuggle their own weapons across their own borders to sell to Mexican drug cartels and they got busted doing it.
Hell, it’s just liberals doing what they can to keep criminals armed while they do what they can to disarm law-abiding people, making them more dependent on as well as subject to the Government!
On the subject of incompetence, I see that Biden’s son got discharged for coming up hot for cocaine on a piss test. How special.
Yeah, you mean Hunter *SNORT!* Biden, who became a USN Reserve Ensign at age 44 (He had to get a waiver due to his age) and decided that enjoying some snot carpeting was more important than doing what’s right, a typical liberal pol’s kid. He’s a demo-rat’s offspring, thus I’m positive we’ll see the sniveling liberal media hush it as best they can, but if he was a Republican’s Son? I still remember seeing the sniveling liberal snot-noses in the media and Congress blithering about how GW Bush needed to step down after his daughters were accused of *GASP* underage drinking, but they hushed up about Al Gore III getting busted for doing 160 MPH on a “Rice Rocket” through some town when his Daddy was running for President. Hell, Al Gore Jr. even ran off at the mouth calling the reporting of that “harassment”!