Public Service Academy Proposal Is Still Stupidest Idea I Have Ever Heard

The most appallingly horrible proposal in recent history might be coming to Missouri, which makes it even worse. The Kansas City Star has the details on how supporters of a national public service academy are considering Kansas City as a location. Sarah touched on this a few months ago, and I am still mortified by the thought.

It is difficult for me to comprehend how some people think it is a good idea to take some of our best and brightest, and convince them to dedicate their lives to the government. How is this for a frightening statement from a Missouri official? 

Robert Stein, Missouri’s commissioner of higher education, said public service is the lifeblood of our country, but there is no institution dedicated to developing public-service leaders.

“We need to explore how to establish a public service academy that will prompt a cadre of new leaders into government at local, state, national and even global levels,” Stein said.

I have news for Mr. Stein: Working as a bureaucrat for the government is not the lifeblood of our country. Things like liberty, freedom, individualism, entrepreneurship — these are the lifeblood of our country. Making sure that someone who wants to be a hair braider has the proper license is hardly at the same level. Nothing will get us out of this recession like convincing an entire generation that the smart move is to get a cushy job with the government, you know, with nice benefits and a feeling of fulfillment that you are not harming others by engaging in capitalism.

Look, I worked for St. Louis County for six years. There is a level of government service that has to be performed by someone. But we need our leaders to come from society and have a broad range of experiences. That is how you gain wisdom and judgment. Trying to form a culture of insular government workers who never leave government service, and who at the same time attempt to be our permanent leaders, should terrify anyone who believes in individual liberty. It only takes a short tenure in the government’s employ before too many people start to believe that the government knows best, rather than free people or markets.