The government would function more efficiently if the GOP wasn't so dead set on blocking any form of reform or efficiency. It's not a coincidence that once any Dem gets into office the GOP becomes the party of No.
Try to reform healthcare? Nope. Try to cut military spending? No. Establish oversight over federal slush funds? Nope.
Having the government burn tons of money is absolutely playing into the hands of those arguing to weaken government for personal profit. The GOP are completely fine burning cash because they can just blame the Dems and use that as an argument to privatize core government functions.
So once again, much of it comes back to GOP obstructionism.
Both parties are dysfunctional.