[chernevik]

The sheer size and complexity of government in the US has reached the point of effective opacity. It's no longer possible to really assess what the government is doing, or what the costs of those activities are. The political class has every incentive to enhance this opacity. Their poor understanding of economics and management -- they are neither selected for nor disciplined on these skills -- only add to the confusion.

At this point all we really _know_ about the government's activities is that they are overpriced, under-effective, and understated in their size.

There is no rational discussion of government's role until these conditions are resolved.

[notJim]

> At this point all we really _know_ about the government's activities is that they are overpriced, under-effective, and understated in their size.

If the government is as opaque as you describe, than we know nothing at all. You're falling back to a popular assumption for lack of information.

>There is no rational discussion of government's role until these conditions are resolved.

Are you going to lead the revolution [edit from here on] or just throw up your hands?

[chernevik]

I invite you to choose one government program and state what it does, what it costs, how well it works, and the specific individuals accountable for its success or failure.

Just one.

But don't forget to include the pension liabilities and regulatory impacts. Or to mention any other social or economic forces affecting the mission targets.