Book Recommendation: The Fifth Risk

Now that Emily has finally handed Biden the keys to the transition offices by writing the most pathetic letter imaginable, it’s time we girded our loins for what’s about to come next. When the Trump administration finally opens the kimono, we might find out that we don’t have much of a government anymore. Trump never seemed interested in governing, he didn’t appoint secretaries that could pass Senate confirmation hearings, and he’s been forcing all of the civil servants out who wouldn’t bend the knee to him.

It’s not going to be pretty, people.

To give you a taste of what’s to come, check out The Fifth Risk by Michael Lewis. I read this a couple of years ago and it gave me chills. It’s all about what happens to all of those government agencies and departments when no one responsible is put in charge and underfunding is the flavor of the day. He asked former heads of these vital pieces of government about what the weak links are that could cause the most damage. They’re called “the fifth risk”. This book will keep you up at night.

The good news is that Biden is already appointing people to State, DHS and Treasury who have stellar reputations as good administrators and policy nerds. It will be a solid administration.

They’ve got their work cut out for them.

Just a warning to the right wing lurkers out there. Don’t blame Democrats for what is eventually uncovered. They weren’t in charge in the last four years. And while Emily has no doubt been busily burying the bodies since Election Day, these kinds of things tend not to stay dead, especially if the mechanisms of government have been damaged.

I’m betting dollars to donuts that they’ve been very badly damaged.