Posted on 08/30/2010 6:15:33 AM PDT by Poundstone
As a retired federal government employee, Im offended when I hear Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, and a host of other conservative talk show hosts bash all levels of government employees. It seems the all-time favorite government employee to bash works for the Department of Motor Vehicles.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, federal government employees in 2008 earn an average of $67,691 compared to $60,046 in the private sector. This doesnt count the benefits all federal government employees enjoy.
Not all federal government employees make as much as their private sector counterparts, but many do. For example, a registered nurse working for the Veterans Administration might make $74,460 compared to a nurse at a private hospital making $63,780. However, a federal government optometrist makes about $61,530 compared to an optometrist working in the private sectors who makes $106,665 salary.
What people like Limbaugh and Hannity probably dont realize is that there are downsides to working for the federal government. Employees face severe restrictions and sanctions on many things everyone in the private sector take for granted. Congress alone determines federal employee salaries and benefits, not the marketplace. Employee organizations lobby Congress, but its unlawful for employees to strike if they dont get what they want.
(Excerpt) Read more at northstarnational.com ...
I have a family member who was a hard-working, dedicated Federal employee. We used to worry about her every day going to work at the Federal Building in the months after Tim Mc Veigh struck. That being said, it does not change the fact that there are far too many Federal employees and their compensation has become far to generous as compared with the private sector. This is unsustainable as those of us out here who pay the freight for that are not going to stand for much more.
Since we don’t like the federal government for al its costs, fraud, waste, and abuse, who do we blame if not the people that comprise the federal government?
The private sector is overtaxed and over regulated. That tax money pays federal and state employees. Government creates nothing. Sorry if your feelings get bruised, we get bruised by government every day.
“Another 30% work for Department of Defense and directly assist in defending this nation against foreign enemies.”
Just because they work in the DoD does not mean that are not part of the problem. I will not allow fraud, waste, and abuse to be wrapped in the flag and given an excuse as you just did. My flag is of a higher honor, so stop using it disrespectfully.
In fact, the total population of the SMSA is, as of the 2000 census 5,358,130 people. Currently there are only 4,400,000 federal employees and military personnel.
That's down from 6,639,000 in 1968.
Fact is, we've had 2,200,000 federal employees replaced with computers!
“Another 30% work for Department of Defense and directly assist in defending this nation against foreign enemies.”
Just because they work in the DoD does not mean that are not part of the problem. I will not allow fraud, waste, and abuse to be wrapped in the flag and given an excuse as you just did. My flag is of a higher honor, so stop using it disrespectfully.
Hmm, so it’s “your flag” now? Hey, I earned that “flag” ~ it’s mine ~ and people who want to say nothing but bad stuff about this country can take a hike ~
Honestly Id favor just an attrition policy (LOTS of Federal employees are retiring within 10 yrs) to reduce staffing. That, plus making benefits more in line with comparable private-sector jobs, and consolidating duties over time as people leave, is a reasonable idea because, as you say, its not that big a chunk.
Its ENTITLEMENTS that cost so much money, and nobody has the b@lls to touch those.
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AMEN!!!
You appear to be of the impression it's increased.
The EPA is one of several agencies we could eliminate today and not even notice it was gone tomorrow.
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Oh I don’t know about that. Farmers, developers and fishermen would notice for sure...it would be a welcome relief for them! But I agree...the EPA should have been abolished years ago.
Washtenaw county in Michigan (Ann Arbor) has the lowest unemployment tate in the state....and the highest percentage of taxpayer supported jobs.
They whine about their 9% unemployment and see higher taxes as the solution. Here in Jackson county right next door, the unemployment rate is over 14%.
Funny thing is that they are tring to figure out how to build a fountain, without laying off firemen.
Largest-ever federal payroll to hit 2.15 million - Washington Times
My hair stands on end knowing the 'livin' high' stuff is because they print the money ...
Every of the GS-15s I have known have had to fill out time cards, and could not log more than 40 hours per week on said card. Any time logged beyond 40 hours had to be approved as compensatory time. You cannot leave early to pick up your kid unless it is noted on your time card. The time you take for lunch is pre-negotiated and logged on your time card.
Now, I have only known GS-15s in the DoD. I do not know the policies of other organizations. But I was stunned how they treated one GS-15 who ran a multi-billion dollar weapons program. He was working his butt off, jetting off to DC to brief generals, then back to the office for a meeting with contractors, and if he left work 15 minutes early to pick up his kid from school his cell phone rang from the SES' secretary to accost him for his lack of integrity in his time card, and how important that time card is, and how they audit those time cards, etc.
The only white collar people I know who have to deal with this are lawyers with billable hours, and professional services employees who are billed hourly.
People like you that give the federal government a pass simply becuase they think it is patriotic are the problem. You are a useless tool.
"The total federal workforce is down 1/3 since the heady days of LBJ."
You might let these people know that was the time of the Vietnam war, in 1970 the military was more than twice the size that it is now.
The private sector is overtaxed and over regulated. That tax money pays federal and state employees. Government creates nothing. Sorry if your feelings get bruised, we get bruised by government every day.
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Well, you don’t HAVE to pay the taxes the federal employees live off of.
Of course, some friendly federal employees will come put you in jail at that point, unless you resisted.
Then they would just kill you.
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