I don't agree with the GP view that the government does not have a role in the future of space. However as an employee in the government sector I can confirm that the stereotype of an inefficient organization is true. It's more then just being a large organization there is a real lack of competitive pressures that force efficiency. It's not a rejection of the idea that democratic self government is a good form of government it's just a recognition that there are certain downsides of the current implementations of government agencies.
> However as an employee in the government sector I can confirm ...
One person's anecdotal experience doesn't confirm anything. There are probably tens of millions of government employees in the United States alone.
> It's more then just being a large organization there is a real lack of competitive pressures that force efficiency.
That's true in many large organizations. Inefficiencies due to employees' (including managers') lack of exposure with any marketplace consequence are a very common, well-studied problem. See: Dilbert.
