How Government Works

Once upon a time the government had a vast scrap yard in the middle of a desert.

The Governor said, "Someone may steal from the scrap yard at night." So they created a night watchman position and hired a person (bilingual, naturally) for the job.

Then the Governor said, "How can the watchman do his job without instruction?" So they created a Planning Department and hired two people; one person to write the job description and one person to do time studies.

Then the Governor said, "How will we know the night watchman is performing the tasks correctly?" So they created a Quality Control department and hired two people; one to do the studies and one to write the reports.

Then the Governor said, "How are these people going to get paid?" So they created the following positions, a Time Keeper, and a Payroll Officer; then hired two more people.

Then the Governor said, "Who will be accountable for all of these people?" So they created an Administrative Section and hired three people; an Administrative Officer, an Assistant Administrative Officer and a Legal Secretary.

Then the Governor said, "We've had this organization in operation for only one year and we are $18,000 over budget; we must cutback our overall costs."

So they laid off the night watchman.