(Zero Hedge)—Not all people who are attracted to government employment are searching for a cushy job with limited work load and even less oversight, but most aren’t working for agencies like the IRS, ATF or USAID because of patriotic duty. In reality, federal bureaucrats act as if they’ve found a cheat code to life. And until the arrival of Elon Musk’s DOGE audits, that assumption was generally true.
As Dan Aykroyd’s character Ray Stantz notes in the movie Ghostbusters:
“Personally, I liked working for the university. They gave us money and facilities. We didn’t have to produce anything. You’ve never been out of college. You don’t know what it’s like out there! I’ve worked in the private sector … they expect results!”
For decades it’s been a running joke that government employees do very little while collecting a generous paycheck. For American taxpayers, however, the joke’s not so funny. DOGE audits have exposed considerable waste and fraud within the system. Apologists in the media argue that most of this information was available to anyone willing to look, but this is a misrepresentation of the bigger problem.
Until recently no one had collated spending data in way that is easy for the average American to reference and track. In fact, digging up this information is made as frustrating as possible, likely to dissuade people from investigating for themselves. The Government Accountability Office doesn’t do it; if anything they pretend to scrutinize various agencies while covering for their mismanagement. When it comes to government waste the phrase that leaps to mind is “hidden in plain sight”.
“Waste” and “fraud” are the only words to describe the situation with federal employment – In 2024 there were over 3 million workers, the most since 1994, collecting around $270 billion annually (including benefits). Federal supervisors are incentivized to give average to outstanding employee performance reviews in order to avoid employee and union backlash, as well as negative attention for their department. It is often noted that government work has bred a culture of “conflict avoidance”. In other words, merit is not their top priority.
In the past various establishment media outlets have admitted to this trend. The Washington Post in 2016 noted that only 0.1% of federal employees ever get a negative performance review.
In 2013 the Government Accountability Office was tasked to review federal performance management systems across the 24 CFO Act agencies. After reviewing OPM data for calendar year, the GAO reported that more than 99% of non-Senior Executive Service employees received a rating of fully successful or higher. This is simply not credible.
- Hand-curated links from conservative and Christian sites — NO legacy media garbage links. Patriots get their news every day at JDRucker.com
If anything, federal workers should be subject to more scrutiny and should have to present tangible results on a regular basis. The GAO’s data was ignored because that’s how the GAO works, and the easy security of federal employment continued without disruption. This is why the actions of DOGE are triggering government workers so hard – They have never faced true meritocracy before.
Many of them have never worked in the private sector and don’t understand that they are in fact subject to review and to firing if they don’t meet the standards of their employers (the American people). They think they are untouchable. They think performance reviews are tyranny. They think they shouldn’t have to answer to anyone.
Government employee compares replying to an email to “what I imagine living in North Korea to be like” pic.twitter.com/XDbDw9YJe1
— Ana Mostarac (@anammostarac) February 27, 2025
The level of panic and indignant behavior among fed workers over a simple email from DOGE asking “what they accomplished last week” tells us everything we need to know about the bureaucrat culture. The email, which should take anyone 10 minutes to answer, is treated as “harassment” and a “distraction” from their work.
Federal worker says she got behind on all her work because she was “threatened and harassed” by the simple email asking for 5 tasks she completed that week.
pic.twitter.com/0hxmWcNO2v— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) February 28, 2025
Keep in mind, the email was not necessarily meant to act as a performance indicator; it was a test to see who responds and who does not. The people who refused to respond simply outed themselves as a potential problem to be removed later. For those that are being fired for poor performance the claim of “outstanding reviews” under the previous administration don’t hold water. As noted, it’s proven that the government maintains a participation trophy culture – Everyone is a winner no matter how incompetent.
The concept of meritocracy is so alien to the federal system that basic job requirements common to almost every company in the country are seen as acts of abuse. Add in the freak show of DEI hiring and you have a recipe for financial disaster.
It’s not unfair to compare the waste within the government to the waste at the original Twitter. Musk eliminated 80% of twitter staff after purchasing the platform and the company actually functioned better without them. We will probably see the same results with the federal system over time.
Bypass Big Tech Censors
Starting the Day With a Scripture-Inspired Roast Helps Center Your Thoughts on Eternal Truths Amid Temporal Pressures
The world can seem chaotic, especially right after we wake up. Many believers start their mornings reaching for something familiar — a hot cup of coffee — yet end up settling for mediocre brews that do little more than deliver a caffeine jolt. The daily grind of life, with its endless distractions, news cycles, and responsibilities, can leave even the most faithful feeling spiritually parched alongside their physical fatigue. What if your morning ritual could do more than wake you up? What if it could ground you in truth, nourish your body with exceptional quality, and quietly advance a kingdom purpose at the same time?
That’s the promise — and the reality — behind Promised Grounds Coffee. This Christian-founded company doesn’t just roast beans; it approaches every step as an act of worship and discipleship. By selecting only the top 10% of specialty-grade beans, ethically sourced from dedicated farmers in Central and South America, and small-batch roasting them with reverence in Austin, Texas, Promised Grounds delivers what many describe as the best coffee available — never burnt, never bland, but rich with origin stories and layered flavors that honor God’s creation.
From the vibrant Psalm 27 Roast (a light, bright medium option) to the bold yet peaceful 2 Timothy 1:7 Decaf, each bag carries a Scripture verse that turns your daily pour into a gentle reminder of faith. And through their Ounce Per Ounce Promise, every ounce of coffee you enjoy provides an equal ounce of clean water to families in need via partnership with Filter of Hope — literally brewing hope for body and soul, one cup at a time.
The challenge for today’s Christians runs deeper than finding a decent cup. In an age of convenience-driven consumerism, it’s easy to support companies that dilute values or remain silent on matters of faith. Many believers want their everyday choices — from what they drink to how they spend — to reflect discipleship rather than just convenience. Promised Grounds solves this by weaving Christian excellence into the entire process: beans nurtured with prayerful stewardship by farming families, roasted as an offering rather than a commodity, and packaged with Bible verses to encourage a mindset of gratitude and purpose from the first sip. Reviewers consistently praise the smooth, rich profiles — whether enjoyed black in a drip maker, iced on a warm day, or shared in fellowship — noting how the quality stands toe-to-toe with premium secular brands while delivering something far more meaningful.
This integration of faith and flavor addresses a real need in Christian households and ministries. Busy parents, church leaders, and remote workers alike report that starting the day with a Scripture-inspired roast helps center their thoughts on eternal truths amid temporal pressures. The coffee’s exceptional character — bright citrus notes in lighter roasts or deep chocolate undertones in bolder ones — comes from meticulous selection and careful roasting that respects the bean’s natural gifts rather than masking them. It’s the kind of coffee that elevates a simple quiet time, fuels productive workdays, or sparks meaningful conversations when shared at Bible studies or outreach events. And because it’s ethically sourced with integrity, every purchase supports sustainable livelihoods for farmers who treat their crops like family harvests.
For those leading churches or small groups, the impact multiplies. Promised Grounds offers bundles and options perfect for hospitality ministries, turning ordinary coffee service into an opportunity to point people toward the living water of Christ. Imagine greeting visitors with a warm cup whose very bag carries God’s Word — a subtle yet powerful witness that aligns with the Great Commission. The company’s Texas roots and commitment to “brewing hope” resonate especially with believers who value American enterprise paired with global compassion.
Of course, quality alone isn’t enough if the experience feels out of reach. Promised Grounds keeps it accessible with practical perks like free shipping on orders over $40, sample sets for discovering favorites, and thoughtful add-ons such as faith-themed mugs. Whether you prefer whole beans for fresh grinding, grounds for convenience, or even bulk options for larger households and ministries, the result is consistently superior coffee that makes discipleship feel integrated rather than added on.
As you consider how to align even the smallest habits with your walk with God, Promised Grounds Coffee stands out as a refreshing solution. It tackles the dual problems of subpar daily sustenance and disconnected consumption by offering a product that genuinely excels in taste while advancing a mission of clean water, farmer dignity, and scriptural encouragement. Believers who make the switch often describe it as more than a beverage upgrade — it becomes part of their rhythm of gratitude, a daily invitation to remember that every good gift comes from above.
If you’re ready to transform your mornings (and perhaps your church gatherings) with coffee that honors both exceptional craftsmanship and Christian values, I encourage you to explore what Promised Grounds has to offer. One sip at a time, you’ll be nourishing your body, refreshing your spirit, and participating in something far greater — all while enjoying what truly is among the best coffee available.