Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Hey Rush, Hannity: Stop bashing federal employees
The North Star National ^ | August 30, 2010 | Gregory Lee

Posted on 08/30/2010 6:15:33 AM PDT by Poundstone

As a retired federal government employee, I’m 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 doesn’t 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 don’t 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 it’s unlawful for employees to strike if they don’t get what they want.

(Excerpt) Read more at northstarnational.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: benefits; employees; federal; pay
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 81-100101-120121-140 ... 201-203 next last
To: Poundstone

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.


101 posted on 08/30/2010 7:45:25 AM PDT by Buckeye McFrog
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Poundstone

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?


102 posted on 08/30/2010 7:47:26 AM PDT by CodeToad (Islam needs to be banned in the US and treated as a criminal enterprise.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Poundstone

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.


103 posted on 08/30/2010 7:48:49 AM PDT by Republic of Texas (Socialism Always Fails)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: muawiyah

“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.


104 posted on 08/30/2010 7:50:51 AM PDT by CodeToad (Islam needs to be banned in the US and treated as a criminal enterprise.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 62 | View Replies]

To: dennisw
And the most incredible part is that the private sector accounts for virtually all the employment in DC and the other counties in the SMSA.

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!

105 posted on 08/30/2010 7:50:58 AM PDT by muawiyah
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 96 | View Replies]

To: muawiyah

“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.


106 posted on 08/30/2010 7:51:00 AM PDT by CodeToad (Islam needs to be banned in the US and treated as a criminal enterprise.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 62 | View Replies]

To: CodeToad

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 ~


107 posted on 08/30/2010 7:52:14 AM PDT by muawiyah
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 104 | View Replies]

To: RockinRight

Honestly I’d 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, it’s not that big a chunk.

It’s ENTITLEMENTS that cost so much money, and nobody has the b@lls to touch those.

********************************

AMEN!!!


108 posted on 08/30/2010 7:54:17 AM PDT by pgkdan (When the same man...holds the sword and the purse, there is an end of liberty: George Mason)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 42 | View Replies]

To: Buckeye McFrog
The total federal workforce is down 1/3 since the heady days of LBJ.

You appear to be of the impression it's increased.

109 posted on 08/30/2010 7:54:47 AM PDT by muawiyah
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 101 | View Replies]

To: cripplecreek

The EPA is one of several agencies we could eliminate today and not even notice it was gone tomorrow.

********************************

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.


110 posted on 08/30/2010 7:58:38 AM PDT by pgkdan (When the same man...holds the sword and the purse, there is an end of liberty: George Mason)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 65 | View Replies]

To: dennisw

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.


111 posted on 08/30/2010 8:06:21 AM PDT by cripplecreek (Remember the River Raisin! (look it up))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 96 | View Replies]

To: Poundstone
Jason Lewis took apart the BLS/OPM BS they call a report on his show Friday. It is very misleading to compare the salaries between private and public sector employees and exclude benefits since that is where the largest discrepancy is. The method they use to compare jobs is very misleading also. It is actually insulting to quote this report. What a huge surprise that the BLS/OPM would twist data to show that government employees are not overpaid. What would you expect them to say? The average private sector employee earned a bit over $61K including benefits in 2009. The average Federal civil servant earned over $123K including benefits last year. I work around a lot of the civil servant types and I can say, unequivocally not one of them are worth $123K. Remember, $123K is the average, not the highest paid. BTW, State and local government employees make less than Federal civil servants but they both average more than the private sector workers who pay all the salaries for government employees at all levels. You don't see a problem with the public "servants" making double what their supposed employers make? I wish Rush and Hannity would bash civil "servants" more. If there is any group who deserves it is government workers. Lewis also pointed out that the average cash value of a government employee who retires at 55 benefits are around $3 million over the rest of their life. I don't think there are a lot of private sector companies who pay their folks $3 mil after they quit working.
112 posted on 08/30/2010 8:06:47 AM PDT by jospehm20
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: muawiyah
Fact is, we've had 2,200,000 federal employees replaced with computers! 
Under 0bongo Federal employment is at its highest level ever and going up

 Largest-ever federal payroll to hit 2.15 million - Washington Times

Feb 2, 2010 ... That still leaves 1.35 million civilian federal employees on the payroll in 2011 . ... In 2009, the number jumped to 1.28 million. ...
www.washingtontimes.com › NewsPolitics - Cached - Similar

113 posted on 08/30/2010 8:06:52 AM PDT by dennisw (2012)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 105 | View Replies]

To: sickoflibs
They get golden health care and taxpayer paid retirement. I live in MD the home of the federal employees (with Northern VA) and I hear stories that would make your hair stand up.

My hair stands on end knowing the 'livin' high' stuff is because they print the money ...

114 posted on 08/30/2010 8:07:57 AM PDT by GOPJ (TIME Magazine - - a conserve-a-phobe publication.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 33 | View Replies]

To: pgkdan
EPA should have been abolished years ago.

Liberals have some kind of fantasy that factories would immediately start dumping waste into the nearest schoolyard. The reality is that the public nor the states would allow that to happen. We'll still have regulation at the state level but it would be a lot more efficient and cheaper.
115 posted on 08/30/2010 8:13:06 AM PDT by cripplecreek (Remember the River Raisin! (look it up))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 110 | View Replies]

To: GOPJ
I may have missed you on : #90 ping.
116 posted on 08/30/2010 8:14:09 AM PDT by sickoflibs ("It's not the taxes, the redistribution is the federal spending=tax delayed")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 114 | View Replies]

To: muawiyah
Oh, nonsense. GS15s are FLSA exempts and they can work as little as 2 minutes a day, or 24 hours a day ~ or whatever the needs of the job dictate.

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.

117 posted on 08/30/2010 8:15:06 AM PDT by magellan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 81 | View Replies]

To: muawiyah

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.


118 posted on 08/30/2010 8:16:51 AM PDT by CodeToad (Islam needs to be banned in the US and treated as a criminal enterprise.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 107 | View Replies]

To: muawiyah
"That's down from 6,639,000 in 1968.Fact is, we've had 2,200,000 federal employees replaced with computers!"

"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.

119 posted on 08/30/2010 8:17:13 AM PDT by ansel12
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 109 | View Replies]

To: Republic of Texas

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.

****************

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.


120 posted on 08/30/2010 8:19:27 AM PDT by Psalm 144
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 103 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 81-100101-120121-140 ... 201-203 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson