A roundup of some of the comments received this week in the GovExec.com Mailbag. All comments are presented in their original, unedited form.
On Administration requires subcontractor reporting
The Government has nearly ceased to recognize any lines between the government and private spheres.
There is now no information that is none of the government's business. No money that does not need to be accounted for to the government--and now, not just in the relm of taxes.
If they're willing to take government dollars then they play by government rules. If not, let them get off the government dole and start financing their own businesses with their own funds.
On Veterans Affairs to streamline PTSD claims process
This policy change will do more harm than good. In this entitlement society, I have witnessed more than one case of a veteran trying to "milk" the system and claim anything that will award or increase disability benefits. Streamline and/or improve the means of documenting service time spent in theatre, but do not give benefits without some level of proof.
Look we have 10's of thousands of feds getting disability for PTSD due to dog bites falling down, traffic accidents. If Vets were able to qualify the way CS do every vet would be collecting disability
On Employees report satisfaction with work, supervisors
Look at the performance of the fed. civilian govt. bureaucracy over the past 20 yrs. (and most particualarly in the past few yrs.) and you have to wonder where all the professional pride is coming from. Are the fed. agencies proud of their program performance and oversight involving financial and banking regulation, mortgage financing, fiscal and contractual accountability, educational advancement, program integrity and ethics, merit promotion, etc. ?? Yeah, things are really lookin' good. They simply like their job benefits and know how lucky they are.
Glad to hear that some agencies are doing very well. Interesting that they are mostly the smaller ones. I'm curious about what impact this survey will have on those agencies that come out in the negative minority on issues such as adequate resources and good leaders.
Sounds like this survey never made it to the FAA employees. On the last survey the FAA ranked second from last. I doubt that much has changed.
On Privatization battle centers on definition of federal employee
They can't be serious. In the private sector approach to food service, low wages = high employee turnover with more than a sprinkling of convicted criminals, addicts, and drunks. Security risks all, none of whom should be on a military installation.
Unfortunately, many AF installations are so closely located to McD, BK, KFC, etc, that the clubs are outdated; but if they'd stop charging the civilian workforce an extra fee, I'd use them. When I see "...surveys indicate airmen are dissatisfied with menu variety and operating hours...", I say - CHANGE IT; ask your current employees how to be better; ask customers what they'd like to eat or hours they'd visit; include your base civilian workforce. Don't just give up to a contract because you're too lazy to conduct a real study. My exp is that NO contract saves my tax-dollars; they gouge the taxpayer.
The government wants it both ways to in-source and to out-source. AFGE wants only to in-source. Most of the contractor employees I know who were in-sourced suffered a cut in pay and were told they had to compete for their old jobs as a way of humiliation at the hands of the Civil Service employees. I hope GAO and Congress stops this insanity the food service employees are the victims of grand ideas by the bean counters and the AFGE.
On Obama nominates Clinton budget director to lead OMB
They had to go back to the Clinton Administration because that was the only way they could ensure their pick was not a tax cheat.
And they conveniently omitted his time with Citicorp when it was in BIG financial trouble. But Obama's announcement was agian blaming the Bush administration for a $1 T deficite when taking office but the Obama administration will claim (not) a $20 T deficite by the end of the year.
He did great things under Clinton saving us from the first disasterous Bush administration. Hopefully he can save us from the second disasterous Bush adminstration and help turn this country around to get us out of this financial crises.
On State will turn to contractors for support in Iraq
The Defense Industrial Complex wins. Our country is bankrupt.
I thought one of the reasons for withdrawing from Iraq was to save money. Replacing the military with contractors doing the same job will probably cost more, not less.
In the past "State has had trouble ensuring proper oversight, management and accountability of its war zone contractors". Let's hope they've learned a lesson. Hopefully one of those lessons is to compete and "trust but verify"!
On Pentagon prepares funding contingencies
There is an easy answer to this. Just tell Congress if they fail to pass a defense appropriations bill soon their next session will be held in Kandahar. Far too few of our legislators have worn the uniform and seen combat. They have no concept of the effect their actions, or inactions, have on the people who have to fight on the ground.
Well of the 30+ Billion required about 3% is for Civilians and rest to all of the Contractors that support this effort. The Goverment is offering so much of its work to contractors we will eventually won't be able to pay for those pet peve projects and mega contracts that are not really needed.
This is a great idea.this could also benefit people w/disabilities,which could lower the number of people that are on social security.
Our agency (IRS) has had telework for about 15 years. It is a great way to attract and retain workers in good economic times. It has saved space and money for the agency. Managers must get used to not seeing employees all the time in the office, but that is overcome by the increased productivity relatively soon. With the communication tools available now versus when we started, this should be welcomed by all agencies.
If anyone thinks this will save the government money, they are delusional. This will be "one extra day off a week." I am a senior federal employee, with 33 years of service, half of that as a supervisor. This will simply reduce workplace productivity and drive up costs. Commutes are long yes, but we need productive employees on the job, not goofing off at home.
NEXT STORY: Passports for Sex Offenders--Including Feds