Yesterday was Thanksgiving Day and the official federal holiday. It is generally celebrated with friends and families with a lot of meal if you are lucky. The governments all over the world needed a narrative on how the nation started and evolved. The U.S. is not the exception. We created how our country started and offered an identity narrative for our own.

On this Thanksgiving Day week, I thought about a little different twist of thanksgiving. Because, the book I am reading now brings a new perspective of the government functions, especially on the incredible roles and results that are normally hidden from our eyes. The book is called “Who is Government: The Untold Story of Public Service” (2025) edited by Michael Lewis. The book is a collection of the essays written by the leading opinion writers and journalists for the Washington Post.

Writers in the book includes Michael Lewis, Case Cep, Dave Eggers, John Lanchester, Geraldine Brooks, Sarah Vowell, W. Kamau Bell. All essays depicted hidden stories of the federal government public service workers who have not normally recognized by us. I was reminded by these essays how little I knew about the contributions by them and how much we owe our overdue thanks to those federal government individuals.

I know our politics has always demanded a small and effective government. Now is not the exception. Without discovery of critical hidden tasks and incredible works, we should not be in a haste decision that leads to a simple elimination of the critical and important jobs they deliver. Without these tasks and jobs described in these essays, we cannot live in a proud and smart society. Read the book and find out how grateful you will find in the dedicated works done the public service individuals. You will change your perception of the government public serivices.

On the Thanksgiving Day week, I thank you for their public service individuals.