We can't afford all these civilian feds
We can't afford all these civilian feds
Date published: 7/3/2009
The "Federal Feedback" column contains information of interest to federal employees; however, it also underscores a major part of the problem with the stagnating economy ["House smiles on tax-free option," June 21].
Private-sector employees just can't afford to continue paying the salaries and benefits of the expanding civilian federal employee payroll.
I believe the military and their families deserve the benefits they receive; they put their lives on the line. The civilian federal work force salaries and benefits are another matter entirely.
"Federal Feedback" reports on the progress of close-to-automatic annual salary increases for civilian federal employees--at a time when private sector folks are just trying to salvage their jobs.
Most private-sector employers can't come close to matching the generous benefits civilian federal government employees enjoy--including retirement, paid federal holidays, etc.
The tide has turned, and the private sector just can't keep up with their federal civilian government employee counterparts.
Why should federal civilian employees receive a salary increase in 2010 when Social Security recipients won't receive any increase for the first time in decades? The formulas indicate there is no inflation.
Our Treasury is not a bottomless well meant to support everything that is the federal government--including employees who work for taxpayers. The private sector is hurting, and the tax base is shrinking.
President Kennedy would not be pleased if he read "Federal Feedback" each week. Let's all ask what we can do for our country and not concentrate so much on what additional fringe benefits and salary increases our country and the private sector can provide to the federal government sector.
That is not how the free enterprise system is supposed to work.
Michael B. Goodin
Spotsylvania
Date published: 7/3/2009
Most recent reader comments:
Good morning CardCrest Fed employee slacker!
(posted by
NoBiasNoBull
, July 8, 2009 8:35 am)  
If your salary was based on actual performance, we would probably be talking about an appropriate negative number. Enjoy your day goofing off--as usual. We private sector folks have to go out into the real world and earn a few bucks. Enjoy your cubicle life! Waste a few of my tax dollars today--I know you are good at it. Your wasteful days may be coming to an end!
You're Funny
(posted by
CardCrest
, July 7, 2009 12:08 pm)  
Go ahead & run your trace as I have nothing to worry about. I suggest you re-check your "facts" though & also that you "know" that I only post during the day. Would my posting be ok if I worked the night shift? Not that it really matters though. & thanks for your contributions towards my private sector funded salary. BTW, I'm "trying" for a much greater increase than a measly 2 to 3.4% since my pay increases are related to my performance (as they shoud be). I'm thus looking at an 8-10% increase - HA!
You are real card CardCrest--and a nitpicker you are!
(posted by
NoBiasNoBull
, July 7, 2009 11:07 am)  
You must be back at your cubicle during regular business hours wasting our good old tax payer dollars again. I know you don't post during other than government daytime hours. Perhaps we should run a trace to see just where you are right now? I stand by all of my comments. You can nitpick from now until doomsday. You Fed types will try your best for a 2 to 3.4% increase in 2010 while the private sector suffers and pays for it. Facts are facts!
Say What???
(posted by
CardCrest
, July 7, 2009 10:27 am)  
You state that you're not corrected but then you make conflicting/differing statements? Specifically, in one post (11:32) you state that "feds will receivet their automatic 3.4% increase" but you then waiver a bit (4:34 post) & state it's a "2 to 3.4% salary increase" (or what you want to call it). Also, you stated (12:49) that you were "certain" that I had never had to meet a payroll but you were certainly wrong about that. It's good that you let this thread go - the more you post, the sillier you look.
No Cigar CardCrest--and I do not stand corrected on anything!
(posted by
NoBiasNoBull
, July 6, 2009 4:34 pm)  
Sorry, buddy, but you are way off base! I know not all Feds get COLAs; however, there is a push in the legislative and administrative circles in D.C. to give civilian Feds a 2 to 3.4% salary increase in 2010. I don't care what you call it--more money is more money--on top of a bloated deficit that is going to pop one of these days. Civilian Feds are just part of the problem. I have meant every single thing I have said; however, I know when it is time to let it go with some civility. Best regards.
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