[Darkwolf377]

The real shame is that the "system" does such a good job at protecting the slugs that they tarnish the dedication and professionalism of some of the rest.

Of course, well-put.

As it is now, to use the T here in Boston, you buy a token from the person in the booth, then use it in the turnstile.

The T system here in Boston has started to instal automated machines in the stations. Now, you go to a machine, buy a paper ticket, use it in the machine, and go through.

The person who used to give you a token now sits there reading a newspaper, and occassionally comes over to show an old person how to use the machine. Then he goes back to talking on the phone or reading his newspaper.

The drivers all seem top-notch, the supervisors are approachable, and there are few delays. So I am assuming most of the people I don't see are good workers.

But you don't have to be paranoid to be suspicious of the quality of government workers when many--not all, but not only one or two, either--are not exactly the type of folks you'd hire in your own business.

[RavenATB]

"But you don't have to be paranoid to be suspicious of the quality of government workers when many--not all, but not only one or two, either--are not exactly the type of folks you'd hire in your own business."

As I said to the other person, my experience...where I work...is not reflective of your statement. Were I to start a company to subcontract for DoD tomorrow, I'd be trying to steal a lot of the civilian talent I work with every day.

Admittedly, I came into this job with a different perspective about civilian government employees, having had more than my share of very negative experiences with state and federal bureaucrats.