To Restore Trust, Fight Pandemic, American Government Needs New Leadership
Everett Kelly is national president for AFGE.
We should all be proud of the fact that our nation’s federal government is jam-packed with the world’s foremost experts in their fields — American patriots who swore an oath to uphold our Constitution and who come to work every day to serve our country and carry out the mission of their agency. These rank-and-file government employees represented by my union, the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), are the best of America.
They are the doctors, nurses, and other staff who make sure our veterans get the care they’ve earned. They are the law enforcement, correctional, and safety officers who protect the American public from danger. And they are the scientists and researchers who give our nation a competitive edge in addressing the world’s toughest problems.
Yet, despite all this talent, according to the Pew Research Center, Americans’ trust in government is stuck in a ditch. Looking back at the last four years, it’s not hard to see why.