Guest Opinion: Fool’s Gold
As a communications counselor for 40 years, working with large, complex organizations like IBM or Aetna, I have a lot of experience with “downsizing” efforts.
The Trump administration claims that the actions they’re taking to cut jobs and eliminate functions will improve the efficiency of the Federal Government and save money. That claim doesn’t stack up against my experience. Celebrating this “firehose” approach to cost reduction is like bringing up fools gold from the mine thinking you’ve struck it rich.
Almost every staff reduction I worked on was lead by research from consulting firms like McKinsey or Booze Allen. They typically advocate for efficiency improvements through strategic restructuring, digital transformation, and process optimization rather than simply cutting jobs or eliminating functions. Their approach to improving government efficiency would more typically involve:
Technology & Automation – Using AI, data analytics, and automation to streamline processes, reduce redundancy, and improve service delivery.
Lean & Agile Operations – Adopting private-sector efficiency models, such as lean management and agile workflows, to improve government responsiveness.
Workforce Optimization – Rather than broad job cuts, they focus on upskilling employees, reallocating resources, and ensuring the right talent is in the right positions.
Data-Driven Decision Making – Using metrics and performance-based evaluations to guide changes rather than arbitrary cuts.
Public-Private Partnerships – Leveraging private-sector expertise to enhance efficiency while maintaining essential government functions.
Historically, when organizations (or governments) implement across-the-board job cuts or eliminate functions without a strategic redesign, it leads to inefficiencies, loss of institutional knowledge, and increased costs in the long run. For example, actions like Trump’s “deferred resignation program” generally prove to be counter-productive, because the best people – those who are sure they can get another job – are the first to leave, while less effective employees stick around.
The Trump administration is clearly making cuts based on political priorities and headlines rather than a data-driven efficiency analysis. That’s going to mean cuts that reduce critical capabilities while leaving inefficiencies elsewhere untouched, and drive substantial costs that will offset the savings.
One example: cutting jobs or eliminating functions without a structured process drives lawsuits related to wrongful termination, discrimination, or labor law violations, which can significantly offset any intended cost savings.
Forbes Magazine estimates that if 10% of the federal workforce is cut, the administration could save about $100 billion annually, At the same time, several media sources report that the potential costs of these layoffs, including legal challenges, operational disruptions, economic ripple effects, and diminished public services, could range between $30 billion and $100 billion each year as well.
The bottom line is this: the savings from this “firehose” approach to workforce reductions is counter-productive from a management point of view, and likely to cost the American taxpayers as much or more than it saves.
—Louis Capozzi
Hands Off Rally Safety
I tried to get info from the City of Bend asking why there was no police or EMT presence at the Hands Off rally at Wall and Greenwood on 4/5. No one had an answer. There were over 1,000 attendees. Such a large, politically lively crowd warrants at least a token police presence to avoid potential conflicts and an EMT presence for a health mishap. One young person in a nearby crowd collapsed. Luckily an EMT trained person was nearby. In several instances, the crowds were left to manage oncoming traffic to allow individuals to move parked cars. The question remains: Why?
— Robert Spaet
RE: Bucking Bend’s Tree Code in the Name of Affordable Housing Sets a Poor Precedent. Opinion, 4/3
In reading this article, it seems that Thistle & Nest wants to have their cake and eat it too. They’re tapping into state funding to build affordable housing, which allows them to profit even when selling units at a lower price, all on the back of taxpayer money. But then, they turn around and use the banner of “affordable housing” as leverage to cut down more of our city’s precious trees — trees that are central to what makes Bend such a special place to live.
This feels like manipulation. It’s using a legitimate public need — more housing people can afford — as a way to skirt the rules and push through developments that may harm the community in the long run.
Bend’s tree code didn’t come easy. It was a hard-earned compromise, shaped by many voices who care deeply about our environment and quality of life. Developers shouldn’t get a free pass to override it. If anything, we should be supporting builders who are committed to growing Bend responsibly — those who understand that our trees, open spaces, and community character are part of what makes housing here valuable in the first place.
Yes, Bend is growing. But growth without conscience isn’t progress — it’s loss. Our city officials must take a stand and ensure we grow in a way that honors the Bend we all fell in love with: a place rooted in nature, community, culture, and balance.
If our current leadership can’t uphold that vision, then it’s time we elect leaders who will.
—Elaine Kitagawa via bendsource.com
Letter of the Week:
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—Nic Moye, Managing Editor
This article appears in Source Weekly April 17, 2025.
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