TIME

A GOVERNMENT BY TOO FEW

Federal workers wait in line in Washington on Jan. 16

The longest government shutdown in U.S. history has directed America’s attention to the plight of its federal employees. But there is something worse and more fundamental happening. Over decades, this workforce has become overburdened, putting the country at greater risk than most of its citizens realize.

After analyzing two decades of federal personnel data and conducting interviews and focus groups with employees

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