Agree. I am retired Army, now a federal employee. I came to my fed job with 22 years of experience in a very high tech field. How much would private industry pay for that kind of experience?
Also, forget about the “90%” retire pay. Since 1985 the fed retirement system, FERS, is similar to a 401k, you get out what you put in. Still, there are a very few (old) folks still covered by the old CSRS system which is indeed an unblieveably generous retirement plan. Also, I make a monthly payment for health/dental/life insurance just like most folks.
Although not a union member, I do have pretty good job security. Bottom line: I try to earn my pay every day just like anyone else. After spending a career in the uniformed Army I am very happy to be working for the Department of the Army as a civilian.
It's the 80-20 principle, if you ask me. Twenty-percent of the people doing 80% of the work. There are some constitutional functions of government which I am glad to pay taxes for. The other, what, 95% of entitlement expenditures, ACORN payments, and such, needs to be taken to the dumpster.
Anyone who lives "Inside the Beltway" knows about the shenanigans inside fed gov't employment: minorities suing minorities for discrimination, people who climb the GS ladder just by breathing, PhD's getting in at GS-9, and a whole bunch of inexperienced people who think they should be in charge and promoted.
OTOH, there are hard workers out there - hat's off to both of them (just kidding; I think there are more than 2).