It might not be the rate but the shear number of federal employees. Productivity increases would be nice and cuts in those dopey web sites advertising their greatness would help too.
The Ad Council Radio and TV spots bother me to no end. TAxpayers pay for those inane commercials, that say “hug your child” or some other silliness. I suspect billions and billions are spent on these senseless ads, produced by both parties I might ad.