How to Reverse the Trump-Era Brain Drain

[babylonsister]

http://prospect.org/article/how-reverse-trump-era-brain-drain

How to Reverse the Trump-Era Brain Drain
Justin Talbot-Zorn
March 7, 2018
Progressives don't have to wait for the next administration to start restoring talent in government.


Every day brings new stories of America’s civil service exodus. By last count, the Environmental Protection Agency was down 508 employees since the start of the Trump administration, the Census Bureau lost more than a thousand, and many of the State Department’s most seasoned Foreign Service Officers have departed. There’s also evidence that few are interested in refilling their ranks: The number of Americans applying to take the Foreign Service exam declined by 33 percent last year.

As someone who was a longtime congressional staffer, I’ve seen a similar dynamic play out on Capitol Hill. In an atmosphere of gridlock and exhausting reality TV politics, many talented and experienced staffers have decided to take their talents elsewhere. The old D.C. cliché that Capitol Hill is run by 23-year-olds is becoming an indisputable reality.

Of all the impacts of the Trump administration’s attacks on government, this flight of experience and talent could wind up being among the most consequential. We’re losing a generation of highly skilled public servants in both the executive and legislative branches. It will take years to recruit and train competent scientists, policy experts, and professional administrators who can once again staff the federal government.

Contrary to conventional wisdom, however, we don’t have to wait until the next administration to start rebuilding public sector capacity. It’s possible for progressives to build a bench of talented federal policymakers right now. This can start with staff capacity on Capitol Hill.

Congressional staff have long played a crucial role in government—negotiating and writing legislation, advising agencies, conducting investigations, and communicating policies to the public. In an age when lawmakers spend several hours a day dialing for dollars, staff are increasingly responsible for the business of legislating.

If Democrats regain control of Congress, staff capacity will be key to developing creative ideas, converting them into sound policies, messaging them effectively, and mobilizing the electorate around them—all while holding the administration accountable. Looking to the longer term, the next president will need to tap senior congressional staff for key policymaking positions and agency leadership roles.


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http://prospect.org/article/how-reverse-trump-era-brain-drain

[longship]

1. Exemplar, Betsy Wetsy DeVos.

Ben (I'm really a brain surgeon, but I know nothing about housing) Carson, Rick (Does the DOE really administer nuclear weapons?) Perry, Ryan (How much can I grift my appointment for luxury travel?) Zinke, Elaine (I am not leveraging my marriage to the Senate Majority Leader -- Really!) Chao, Steve (pnuch him in the face) Mnuchin, etc, etc, etc.

So it goes.

[myraphilips]

2. Would you agree

Would you agree that our only hope is that those laid off by the public sector end up creating great companies and banding together in the private sectort to really make a difference? Agree or are we all just doomed ?