And that’s why I think the new Congress’ first move should be to freeze Govt hiring - stop making this operation even larger than it is today. Ideally I’d like to see it rolled back to its size in, say 2008, by not replacing retirees when they leave the Govt.
Two facts: 1) fed employment traditionally has been modest. State and local gov has zoomed. 2). The feds are hopelessly outdated and technology deficient, as a result people are needed to process. NONE of the technology gains that have revolutionized the private sector (think Amazon, Ebay, virtual office, networking, etc.) has made it to government. You can only reduce staff by automating their work. The principal force against that is Congress and its minutiae in requirements on everything feds do.
You can beat the staff all you want, it's your local congressman (republican and democrat) that refuses to reform government. Fact is they are really too stupid to do so.