Why is there so much corruption and laziness in our government workforce?

Uh, allow me one guess: unionization?

Yes.
What they don't tell you when you run for office, is even after you spend a fortune to win your seat. When you get to Washington you have to pay party dues. http://www.definingthemachine.com/party_dues.html

I've yet to meet an honest politician. The whole System is Corrupt.

SSgt Alex Robinson I feel there is corruption with the Veterans Affairs, hiding VETS records and not getting care. There is more, but this is my main focus.

Uh, allow me one guess: unionization?

Unions?

Probably because so many Americans in general are corrupt and lazy in today's America.

I think it's all businesses, but because the government isn't run by someone who suffers financially if cheated out of money (I mean each given office, not talking about any one person) the incentive to make sure it's correct is lower.

I've love to think civic duty and love of our country would counter that but it doesn't. Perhaps start making leaders responsible fiscally for things they would have caught if they actually screened time-cards etc the way they are supposed to?

For me, the question is not why is it there, the question is what good ideas are out there to get rid of it?

No. Otherwise, we'd see a bunch of people getting prosecuted. It's certainly does not appear to be any worse than its historical norm.

I feel corruption is the wrong descriptor.

Corruption (to me) implies an element of "personal gain."

The vast majority of issues we have in the US Government are not those of "personal gain" but "systemic breakdowns" which are the result of convenience, as opposed to doing things in the "proper" way.

As an example, we make Laws, Regulations, and Policies which say that officials MUST or SHALL do things in a specific way. As times progress, those Laws, Regulations, and Policies can't evolve as fast as People themselves and therefore the agents of the government (bureaucrats) either don't follow them, or follow them to the letter.

Now following a Law/Reg/Policy to the Letter is just as wrong as not following is. Both could be classified as "corrupt" if you are not following the Intent or Spirit of said Law/Reg/Policy.

I'm not saying real corruption doesn't exist. It absolutely does. Cough, Chicago.