Government workers game the system
Re: “Federal salaries are high for a reason,” From Readers, June 17
In his diatribe defending high government wages, Bill Spruce demonstrates the arrogance of the typical government employee when he makes the fatal assumption that federal white-collar workers can’t possibly be slackers, flakes or parasites simply because they are not “burger flippers, convenience store clerks, janitors or other minimum-wage workers.”
As a former civilian contractor (with a private-sector work ethic) in a federal office, I daily saw federal employees engaged in activities that would merit dismissal if I were caught doing them, and I did not make anything close to their wages.
I can say with some degree of confidence that were it not for the contractors hired by the government, a lot of the government’s work would go undone.
The prevailing incentives for federal workers were “bennies” and “job security, baby.” If some of these individuals were private-sector lawyers, nurses, doctors or accountants, I would avoid them like Obama does the press.
Ben Arnold
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Government bonuses cannot be justified
Re: “Bonus bonanza for federal workers,” Editorial, June 16
Thanks for enlightening readers about how stupid government programs are. I am a federal worker and I feel that these bonuses are appalling. How can anyone justify them, given the current economic status of the United States?
If the federal government has so much money it wants to give away, it should secure the Social Security program.
Great editorial. Now how do we change things?
B. Harris
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Fenty deserves another ‘boo’
Re: “Officer in bike theft told he’s a target despite mayoral forgiveness,” June 16
The public has more reason than ever to boo Mayor Adrian Fenty when he shows his face around town. Mayor Fenty is using Metropolitan Police Department Officer Wilson Liriano as a convenient scapegoat to minimize his personal and professional embarrassment after mountain bikes were stolen from the mayor’s home.
Officer Liriano was on the security detail and was monitoring the security camera. He properly alerted the necessary authorities of suspicious movement on the property and followed protocol to remain stationary at his post. Because the culprits were not caught, Officer Liriano now finds himself the target of an official investigation.
Officer Liriano was doing what he was supposed to do according to regulations. It’s obvious that Mayor Fenty, who has boasted about his public safety success, is now trying to save face, making Officer Liriano a victim in the process.
Karen L. Bune
Arlington
