It would be interesting to detail what the DOE employees do by category, and to summarize their accomplishments over the past 10 years. Great post!
Most of government exists solely to self-perpetuate. Most of it can be eliminated without any adverse effect.
I did stints in a few tech startups. There was a time at the start where there was no bureaucracy. Everyone was working on vital tasks, maybe there was a receptionist that did all the paperwork. Ah, and on Friday’s, there was a local hotel bar with a tab for food and drink....
Then they hire an “HR” staff, crushing your dreams of striking it rich.