My daughter, a senior in high school, is currently taking American Government to meet her graduation requirements. If I had to sum up her enthusiasm for the class, I’d say it’s just shy of “meh.” It’s not that she’s outright uninterested, it's more that her view of our federal government is tinted by the endless headlines of political drama that flood our news cycle. And honestly, I can’t blame her. In today’s media landscape, it can feel like finding good news about politics is like searching for a needle in a haystack.
But recently, a conversation with a long-time friend gave me a fresh perspective. Over lunch, she recommended a book that has brightened the way I look at our government. I’m all about audiobooks during my daily commute, so I dove into Who Is Government? The Untold Story of Public Service. It’s a collection of essays, each written by a different talented author, that shines a light on the often-overlooked people and departments in our federal government.
What makes this book stand out? It focuses not on politicians, but on the hardworking civil servants who operate behind the scenes, away from the public eye. Each chapter introduces a different figure or agency, highlighting their often-unsung contributions. And what I found most inspiring was how many of these civil servants are described as humble, modest, and utterly dedicated to their work. These people are quietly but tirelessly shaping the fabric of our country, often without the recognition they deserve.
One chapter that really stood out to me was about the National Cemetery Administration. The care and respect shown for our veterans who’ve passed away is deeply moving. It took me back to a personal memory. When my grandfather, a World War II veteran, was laid to rest in a national cemetery in Iowa. The chapel was serene and beautiful, and the Department of Defense provided a military honor guard to fold the flag and accompany our family to the gravesite, braving the rain with umbrellas to ensure we were all comfortable. That experience, though brief, was truly uplifting and served as a powerful reminder of the good work being done by this department. Reading about it again in the book brought back that dear memory.
Another chapter that really caught my attention focused on the Bureau of Labor Statistics and how they calculate the Consumer Price Index (CPI). How exciting, right? Sure, the CPI isn’t a perfect measure of inflation, but it’s the most consistent tool we have for tracking economic changes over time. It may not be flawless, but it plays a crucial role in informing commerce, government policy, and individual decisions. And who knows? Maybe one day we’ll have an even better way to measure inflation—but for now, the CPI does the job.
So, back to my daughter. Given her current disillusionment with politics, I’m definitely going to encourage her to give this book a listen. For me, it’s been a refreshing reminder of the positive, impactful work happening every day in our government. In a world where it’s often hard to stay optimistic, Who Is Government? offers a welcome glimpse of the good that’s happening right under our noses.