"What we are missing, utterly and completely, in this government is accountability"

The quote by Paul Hawken, "What we are missing, absolutely and totally, in this federal government is responsibility", is a pointed review of the perceived absence of responsibility and answerability in governmental operations. At its core, the quote highlights a basic issue within political systems: the absence of mechanisms or the failure to implement them, guaranteeing that those in power are held responsible for their choices, actions, and the results thereof.

Responsibility can be broadly comprehended as the responsibility of federal government authorities to report, explain, and be answerable for the effects of their actions to the electorate and other stakeholders. Hawken's assertion recommends that this important element is absent or improperly present in the current governmental structure. This might mean that there are insufficient checks and balances to avoid abuse of power or that those checks stop working due to lack of enforcement, openness, or political will.

The phrase "entirely and entirely" emphasizes the severity and the pervasive nature of this issue. It recommends a systemic problem rather than isolated events, suggesting that the lack of accountability is deeply ingrained and widespread within governmental operations. This could lead to numerous unfavorable outcomes, such as corruption, inefficiency, policy failures, and a basic erosion of trust amongst citizens towards their leaders and institutions.

This critique is relevant in discussions about democratic governance, where responsibility is a foundation expected to ensure that governments act in the interests of the people they represent. Without accountability, there is little incentive for authorities to follow ethical and effective governance, resulting in a disconnect in between governmental actions and public interests.

Ultimately, Hawken obstacles people, politicians, and civil society to recognize and resolve these shortages, advocating for reforms that strengthen responsibility in order to restore integrity and trust in federal government. His statement acts as a call to action, urging a reevaluation of existing structures and processes to cultivate a more responsive and responsible government.