As more of our best and brightest are lured into the private sector, many into lucrative but socially unproductive jobs, we reduce the prestige and desirability of government service. This could have devastating effects for the future.

Advocates of gun control need to talk not just about gun violence but about trusting government. There may not be enough support for controlling guns until more people are convinced that their government is under control.

During the past 40 years, Americans have more than once moved beyond disdain for politics and government to a willingness to support new leaders and fresh solutions to our problems.

The Weapon of Mass Cynicism has convinced most Americans they can't rely on government to help with anything. But if we can't trust government at a time like this, whom can we trust? Corporations? Wall Street? Warren Buffett? Or is each of us now simply on our own?

As history shows, any small, short-term budgetary gains from work force cutbacks are likely to be offset by serious regulatory missteps, more after-the-fact finger-pointing and a continuation of the cycle of failure and mistrust.

We need to reconnect Americans to their government. People need to better understand that public servants are their friends and neighbors who are helping address our collective challenges here and abroad.

To be certain, the federal government has its faults and there is room for improvement, but facts matter. Here are five pervasive myths about federal workers.