By global standards, the US government is spectacularly honest, effective, and efficient. That's one reason the US is so attractive to foreign investment and foreign entrepreneurs.

Charities and private businesses actually succumb to corruption, inefficiency, and outright fraud pretty often. How much research do you perform on your charitable contributions versus your taxes? Do you know, off the top of your head, how many cents on the dollar actually support the cause of your favorite charity, and how many are "wasted" on administration?