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 Burning Question: Should government employees be prohibited from voting?
If the country wants it, we would need a constitutional amendment. I can see his point, but I don't beleive he'll find a politician willing to give up their own vote in electing themselves to office. Interesting premise, though.
If salaries to public employees were tax free, I might understand that idea. but as long the public employee is subject all taxes and have to live in the communities and country which are supported by those taxes, I think we will insist upon voting. Mr. Sajak is very good at this job but probably should stay away from any serious thought.
Wow, only if all CEO's are barred from voting because they benefit directly from elimination of corporate taxes, capital gains, etc. Or how's about any taxpayer because they might vote for the candidate who is for reducing taxes in general. or...breathtakingly stupid.
How about if we put the candidates names on a big wheel and then spin it and vote for whoever it lands on?
I would like to buy a life for you, Pat. This dumb-dumb is the keeper of fourth grade level word puzzles, that's it! Why did his comments even make it to publication? This is akin to Paris Hilton giving political advice. Hey Pat, solve this: _ _U AR_ AN IDI_T!
Idiotic beyond belief. Based on that logic teachers, firemen, police, judges, FBI agents, the list goes on and on, would all be prohibited from voting. I think it makes more sense to just prohibit Pat Sajak from voting.
On Hiring reform requires team effort, observers say
Let's see, downsize HR for more than a decade, and now tell those remaining few that they are to spend lots of time partnering with managers who don't think getting good candidates is a manager's job. Of course this is going to work well--not.
Here is a novel idea: when the personnel specialistz go on leave, or are in training, or otherwise not at their regular duty station, how about someone else taking over their work - you know - cross training. I have been in government service within DoD for a number of years, and where ever you go, if YOUR personnel specialist is out of the office - too bad. The action sits there dormant. Why?
On Lawmakers seek justification for closing Joint Forces Command
JFCOM should be closed. The do not provide anything that is not already being done at the services' War Colleges. Take a good look at their "Senior Mentor" program then tell me if this is really necessary. It is about time the Defense Department stops throwing money around like there is no tomorrow. This place is a big waste of tax payer dollars.
I do not think any thought was put into closing JFCOM at all - it was just thrown under the bus in a cost savings measure. Where are the studies? Where is the documentation? I would bet there are none.
On No COLAs for federal retirees in 2011
Good. Finally some reasonableness from the Fed Govt.
I find it so ironic that the SSA refuses to acknowledge a cost of living increase. Everything has gone up dramatically in the last year. Heating costs, fuel, insurance, food costs, taxes, and just about everything else. I would like to live in the area that they are measuring for the CPI-W, because it is not anywhere near my neck of the woods! Oh, I am not retired, so this does not affect me, but I can only imagine the retirees that it does and how they now need to come up with the extra funds that the SSA says are non-existent!
The thing that seems to be overlooked is benefit premiums go up. Premiums increase, there is no COLA, so your net each month is less then the prior year. At this rate my husband will have to pay the Government to be reitred.
While I'd like to have the few extra dollars, and I'm not sure the method for measuring cost increases is sound, as long as they follow the COLA rules consistently I can't complain too much.
On Lack of linguists hampers government's mission, officials say
What do you call a person who speaks two languages? Bilingual. What do you call a person who speaks three languages? Trilingual. What do you call a person who speaks one language? An American.
I have always spoke Spanish since I joined the federal government 30+ years ago. I work an area that is predominantly Spanish but I don't get any extra pay for that. What is the incentive to want to learn another language?
I speak Arabic and French + Englsih, no one even look at my resume because I am not a US citizen!!!!! so why the shortage...it is the policy that say hire people who can obtain clearance!!!
I have anywhere from some ability to a good working knowledge of 4 languages other than English. Growing up, we were encouraged to take math and science because of the "Space Race". They were never my forte. But languages on the other hand, fascinated me and encouraged additional studies in history, political science, literatures and religions. Maybe, we should now, as a nation, be encouraged to take other languages to better represent our country in the "Global Village".
On Armed services accept gay recruits -- with a caveat
No doubt recruiting centers will be over burdened with new applicants. Anyway that seems to be the way the homosexuals have protrayed it.
Now I can say from my heart (with full conviction), when I recite the pleage of Allegence... One nation under God, with Liberty and Justice for ALL. This is a proud moment for this Country and our freedom to embrace all citizens who desire to serve OUR Country.
Sex in the work environment is bad for business, especially military business. This is a concept that eludes politicians, but with political track records it's easy to understand where they think that way.
On OPM tackles retirement claims processing again
It is a disgrace that it takes OPM over 4 months to process a retirement.
As a former OPM senior employee, you would not believe the waste that goes on within E Street NW and Iron Mountain walls. The main problem OPM has, as most federal agencies are aware, is that they have many civil servant employees and are dead weight. They come to work sometimes and when they do, they don't do much. So, the REAL solution is to clean up federal civil service first.
OPM knew the Baby Boomers were approaching retirement and should have been prepared! Utter nonsense!
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