An Idea Someone Else Needs to Work on

I realized tonight that there is a Wikipedia article for almost all influential (and even some not) historical figures. There is probably one for all actors — regardless of achievement and fame. There is definitely one for all politicians (as well as a wiki equivalent that tracks their political lives) and journalists (really?). I don’t see one for bureaucrats.

It’s important to realize a lot of terrible and great public policy was implemented by folks who led departments, organizations, agencies, taskforces, divisions, whatever other equivalent of ‘group of people’ the government uses. Why don’t we know the names of City of Whatever folks who allowed redlining in cities like Dallas take physical form and play out? Why don’t we know who led the cities and counties with violent racist histories that continue to be upheld by those leading the same violent and racist organizations today?

As someone in public administration, i understand the importance of implementation of a policy. Once the hard part of winning a popularity contest is done with, the rank and file step in and up to make sure the intent of a policy is carried out and implemented. I got a grad degree in public affairs and I could not tell you the name of a single administrator in state or local government in the United States who allowed certain terrible acts of violence to be carried out against minorities — or even the flip side, any ones that led great community programs.

There is a joke in Parks & Rec that Leslie calls someone at the Department of the Interior the ‘bad boi’ and knows these folks by name. I might be naïve, but i think it’s rare that anyone has that level of accountability or notoriety as a bureaucrat. It’s a bit lame though, because like all politics, all policy implementation is local. If your town or city sucks, maybe you should start paying attention to your city council and show up when and where it matters.

These are also just late night ramblings of an activist bureaucrat. I do think we need a Ballotpedia or Wikipage equivalent for administrators — state and local ones especially so i can pin point shitty moves and call them out in a timely fashion. That’s my idea for someone else to work on.