How the Government Works

Once upon a time, the federal government had a vast scrap yard in the middle of a desert. Congress said someone may steal from it at night. So they created a night watchman GS-04 position and hired a person for the job.

Then Congress asked, "How does the watchman do his job without instructions?"

So they created planning positions and hired two people: one person to write the instructions (a GS-12) and one person to do time studies (a GS-11).

Then Congress asked, "How will we know the night watchman is doing the tasks correctly?"

So they created a Quality Control Section and hired two more people, a GS-09 to do the studies and a GS-11 to write the reports.

Then Congress asked, "How are these people going to get paid?"

So they created two more positions, a time keeper (GS-09) and a payroll officer (GS-11) and hired two people to fill those positions.

Then Congress asked, "Who will be accountable for all of these people?"

So they created an Administrative Section and hired three more people, an Administrative Officer (GM-15), an Assistant Admin Officer (GS-14), and a Legal Secretary (GS-08).

Then Congress said, "We have had this command in operation for one year, and we are $18,000 over budget. We must cutback overall cost."

So they laid off the night watchman.