Government workers and customer service

Are there differences between the public and government job sectors? Yes, there is a big difference. On the tongue of government workers we constantly hear that working for the government sector is 'public service'. We hear that they are making a sacrifice. We hear that they could make more money in the 'private sector'. If indeed they are 'servants' would you not expect that customer service would be bright and visible at governmental entities?

You would think that a visit to a governmental service would be a happy customer focused event. In most cases your visit to the county or to your local city office involves waiting and when you do get to the desk the clerk is ready to give you an instruction about what you need to access their service. I am reminded of the Wizard of the Emerald City instructing 'Judy Garland' to go get the broom stick of the wicked witch in order to access governmental service.

The tax payer as the provider of the taxes that pay the wages of government servants is a forgotten person. Instead of being treated with appreciation and the source of gainful employment you are a number in a line.

It is interesting to note the above average membership of government employees in unions. It turns out that the union collects the dues and then bankrolls the campaign coffers of the politicians. It appears to be a vicious circle that encourages politicians to favor union causes, such as generous pension programs. In Illinois the bloated budgets of the state fails to meet the pension obligations and the unions call out for an increase in taxes. Again the tax payer is expected to pay the tab.

It appears that there is no respect for the tax payer as a customer and no respect for the tax payer as the source of livelihood for government workers.