I do not think that's correct. I think the rhetoric is, or has become, stronger than the reality.
For example the war on drugs, affordable housing, affirmative action, etc. The proposed intentions have overruled the disastrous results.
That said, the high level goals are clearly up for debate. People who feel the EPA or Social Security Administration needs to be dismantled don't really care about how efficient it is internally. Also many things are internally imposed such as the SS being is prevented by law from investing in anything except government bonds which is arguably a huge issue, but that's outside of pure graft that is pervasive in much of the world.
PS: Anyway, my point was as bad as people think the US government is there are many far worse examples.