Return to Article: McCain pledges to reorganize federal workforce
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58898
After reading many of these comments, I strongly agree with them. It's a little late to try to be the "maverick" and change what you've said and what you've demonstrated by your votes. It's too late for Mr. McCain!
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48703
How could any Federal Employee ever vote for a republican? The republicans will try to contract out your job or abolish it completely. I don't care if Hillary or Obama grow horns, a pointed tail and carry a three pronged pitch fork, they have my vote.
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24721
You state: "An entire bureaucracy has grown comfortable in its cocoon of rules and regulations and is not about to change its habits without a fight." On the contrary, its the plethora of ridiculous rules and regulations Congress implements to make sure everyone on the planet is happy that prevent us from truly streamlining the process and doing what makes sense.
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24610
Instead of taking cheap shots at federal employees, perhaps you could take a look at federal managers who repeatedly make unnecessarily costly decisions because they are too proud to ask the technical staff for advice. I think management training should be your first goal as a presidential candidate. As a matter of fact, you could start advocating that right now in your current position! Show us you will walk the walk as well as talk the talk.
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24537
Now I know for sure who I WON'T be voting for. I found McCain's comments about federal employees to be way off-base as well as insulting. Enough said.
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24348
Thank you Senator McCain for helping me to quickly eliminate and narrow down the candidate field in the upcoming election. As a dedicated civil servant with 31 years of service to our country, a Vietnam-era veteran, and an acquisition professional, I resent your inaccurate portrayal of the Federal workforce. Acquisition personnel implement the laws of Congress - we don't make up our own rules! Like any large organization in this country, we may have our share of problems which we will always strive to improve upon, but we work hard to do a GREAT job to meet our mission -- with limited human resources, a shrinking budget, and clueless critics on the hill. I have served my country in the Navy and as a civil servant and I am proud of the contribution I continue to make! Senator McCain, you have much to learn about Federal employees!
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24334
John McCain did make one honest comment in his package of cheap shots. He did say as a good conservative he wants Americans to not expect too much from government. Well he is way off base there too because from watching the Republican majority in action in the Senate, the House, and the White House, we have learned not to expect anything good from the government chairs held by elected leadership. By the way Mr. McCain this comes from a diehard Republican who has walked streets, put up signs, staffed phone banks, mailed letters to the editors, and donated money to the Republican Party and Republican candidates for years. You probably need to find out how many Republicans are in the Civil Service workforce that you have so cheaply insulted.
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24333
I am a professional Government Employee with high aspirations and a big vision. I work hard and I am very effective in what I do. Senator McCain has now insulted me as well as the vast majority of Government Employees who work very hard and are so dedicated; which is by the way, the majority of us. McCain would probably say that the employees like myself and the others I describe should relish and embrace what he is about to do as it will make good employees even more valuable. However, the way I see it, McCain doesn't need Civil Servants. He needs big business and the government contracdting world. They are the ones who give him the big campaign funds, not the Civil Service folks and the regular Americans across the country. I have much more respect for most Civil Service people and regular Americans than I will ever have for the kind of people we vote into office in the Senate and House. Mr. McCain - the real work of America gets done by government employees and regular American people. I am a lifelong Republican who normally votes a straight ticket. Those days are over. I am happy to see Mr. McCain's ratings declining by the minute and I do not think we will have to worry about him being our President. I can only hope that whoever is, will be more educated on the value in the curent government work force and not use the Civil Service work force as an easy sacrificial lamb to feed insatiable political ambitions. Government Executive, thanks for giving the tremendous numbers of quietly dedicated Civil Service people a forum from which to fight back when a person like John McCain dishes out cheap shots. Thank you Mr. McCain for giving me good reason to never vote for you, to change the channel when I see you talking on TV, to not respond to all that mail you send to my house requesting donations, and to probably go down before the vote and registering as a Democrat if Rudy or somebody cannot hold me any longer in a party that is totally as out of touch and insulting as people like you are. Pitching NSPS as a way to better fight terrorism is just another example of the kinds of lies told by the GOP now. What a low stoop that was by the Grand Old Party.
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24326
The statement that you cannot fire a government employee under the current OPM rules merely identifies the lack of character of the person saying it. Wouldn't it be great if we could just make all the people in our life that we don't care for just disappear? But it doesn't work that way in your life, or mine, so why are LAZY federal managers and whiny "conservatives" expecting better options than the rest of us have? I have personally seen managerial people demoted to workers, and as workers seen them fired. You just have to document employee performance, or lack of it, and you CAN and WILL get them either retrained or fired. Talking about performance, how about managers being expected to perform and document employee conduct? Isn't that part of what managers are supposed to do? Let the workers rate management and you will really see some changes in federal service. NSPS is a waste of my taxpayer dollars, and Senator McCain is indeed out of touch.
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24309
Just another reason why not to vote for McCain. Talk about being out of touch with reality. The government is now streamlined to the point of breaking. There are more contractors working for the government than civil servants and these companies are sucking us dry. He may want to check his numbers again.
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24219
I believe Senator McCain is out of touch with the civil service as is a majority of Congress and the President. They seem to want to dissolve civil service when they should be working on making it bigger and better. NSPS is one of the biggest blunders in government history. The cost of living pay is not intouch with what the military gets paid or even in high priced living areas. Houses can be out of site in Washington, D.C., Hawaii, California, and other places. Can a civil service person ever afford a place there? No, most civil service people cannot afford to buy a house in those areas. Congress and the President need to step in and control housing in certain areas to help civil service people get houses. Ever since V.P. Al Gore the civil service has been taking hits. The government awards contracts to contractors for services and it winds up costing way more than it would to pay civil service people over their careers. The government could have the civil service employees for 20-25 yrs vrs having new contractors every 1-5 yrs. There is politics all over the government and in the private sector as well. There is no real objectivity. Lobbyists control the government.
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24204
It seems that all the prior comments are, in fact, agreeing with Sen McCain that the federal workforce is broken and ineffectual. Whether youi attribute the problem to the policical appointees, the managers, or the rank-and-file employees, the answer is still the same - ineffectual - and it needs to be fixed. While on active duty in the Pentagon (late 80s and early 90s), I observed that a large percentage of the civilian workforce were incapable and/or coasting. Why work, they had a guaranteed retirement? Everyone got the same raises regardless of performance, and cash bonuese appeared to be on a rotation system. Firing was not a real option as it would take a manager months of documentation to justify and may leave them open for a discrimination charge. The capable people went to work for industry - the incapable stayed. Of course, these comments are grossly gereralized and over-simplified. There were many outstanding people at all levels that were exceptional, hard working, and dedicated. I too doubt that Sen McCain's "solution" will resolve the problem -- it is systemic and took decades to create -- but identifying the issue and proposing ideas is a good first step.
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24195
Others have said it already, and some better than I can. McCain is out of touch with reality, pandering to the far right constituency that believes most federal workers are lazy liberal Democrats. After nearly 30 years of federal service, I am convinced the #1 federal workforce problem is BAD MANAGERS.
It starts with the political appointees, who have an agenda, but little leadership ability and even less understanding of how the government works. They cultivate "yes-man" subordinates in the SES and upper GS ranks, who survive by kissing up and stomping down. The rank and file employees get sick of the BS, and of being told they are ignorant and lazy, when all they want to do is follow the laws and regulations, and avoid being abused by those above them who are seeking political favor at their subordinates' expense.
Not all federal agencies follow this model, but three of the five I have worked at, did.
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24163
I find it most disheartening to hear that the federal workforce is being attacked yet again. I also find it astounding that no one has addressed the fundamental flaw with the workforce, and with the Pay for Performance Plan touted by Senator McCaine. In order for the plan to work, managers must first be competent. Many are not competent in their jobs- fearing to address problem employees or to address difficult workplace issues. Often the good workers are left to their own devices while the bad employees just coast. Work gets shifted from those who won't do it to those who are getting stuff done, and NOTHING in Senator McCaine's plan will change that fact.
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24162
They NEVER get it regarding firings. The problem is in the lack of accountability in management. Many would not last a week in the private sector. They have no accountability, once they join the ranks, they are in for life time, no matter how bad.
GAO should do a survey of how many in management ranks have been demoted back to rank and file and see the %. When management had pay for performance, my retired manager say that in New England, they just rotated who got and who did not.
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24155
Government contracting is so corrupt it stinks! Particularly within DoD! Stop awarding big multi million dollar contracts to huge firms like IBM, Boeing, Lockheed, etc. for systems work that should be bid out to hundreds of small firms that can do a much betyter job on the pieces now bundeled into huge contracts that avoid 8A firms and small companies. The staff in the services and OSD try to find existing contracts to put new efforts on so they do not have to go through the government contracting process. Call the guy you want and find out where he has a contract with government and then put a delivery order on that existing contract for your new work. You do not have to go through wrting a meaningful SOW or the selection process fort a new contractor. Don't sole source to an 8A because the ignorant people you work for think that is illegtal and every contracting officer operates differently so shop around for the easiest to work with and not the best!
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24117
Two comments. First to "the high flier." The system hasn't changed. I note that most "high fliers" and certainly most winners of "performance pay" have a tendency to have their noses very close to their bosses back sides. Funny how "brown nosing" always ends up getting a "high achiever" performance award.
Second, in reference to the senator's comments about lack of performance and lack of accountability - it seems to me that comment more directly applies to "elected officials, such as the senator," then to the people that make the system work in spite of the elected officials.
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24110
Hey Ted, Are you actually a high performer or just a member of the good ole buddy system that exists in the government. NSPS will get us right in line with our Congress and Senate. Management will be able to run the show how ever they want and with whomever they want. They will still not be accountable for anything they don't do as the finger points away from them. If your not carefull it might just be pointing in your direction, Ted. The government has grown up to a unmanageable size and direction, you think another new system is going to fix everything. I've seen systems come and go and can't ever remember any of them being on schedule or on time nor on the money it started with. Think about what you ask for, you just might get it.
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24092
You go, Ted! I understand those feelings in a "mover and shaker", if the performance metrics are accurate and followed. "It's hard to soar with the eagles if you're surrounded by turkeys."
Well, I consider myself average; perhaps that equates to a turkey in some lexicons. I do not anticipate bonus rewards or pats on the back; but I do expect a decent living wage for an honest day's work. You don't have to be a stratospheric star to support the constitution or earn your pay, and considering the delta in our "Required" versus "Authorized" TDA numbers, we are currently working for at least one other person.
I've worked at my organization for 18 of the past 23 years; in suits both green and civilian. Sometimes I feel almost masochistic since I've asked to be here three times. But, honestly, I'm very grateful that they've always welcomed me. We do more with less ... well, I'm sure you know that story. I pride myself on being knowledgeable, dedicated, functional, and the person folks go to for assistance; all while being a mere servant to the public and our constitution.
I've seen new injections of leaders bring sweeping changes; mostly stirring up dust rather than the house cleaning intended. As we all know "The road to Hell is paved with good intentions." Theory and application are both sides of the same coin and both must be considered in the cost of doing business. While you should always aim for the guiding light, please remember you may have to adjust and fire for affect.
If, as I perceive, the function of NSPS is to establish control over people and finances then implementation will, inevitably, bring less income to the "average" civil servant; just as we enter a period of inflation and lost purchase power (as per Mr. Greenspan). IMHO, that will lead to a shorter career span, higher turn-over, and a reduction in institutional knowledge for us dedicated and average workers. Which, when combined with the already forecast Baby Boomer exodus, will leave you high fliers surrounded by even less competent co-workers.
We ask not for the world. We ask only for a living wage, protections against the practices of nepotism and the spoils system, and the management and guidance deserved by the American people.
From reformist politicians like John, we ask only "Look before you leap."
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24066
Why doesn't someone address the hiring of new federal employees? It takes months to bring in a new hire and then we do not have the computers and phones in place for them to start work.
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24013
As a member of a "Pay for Performance" organization, I can only say thanks! I am a high performer and I appreciate the extra pay raise and bonus at the end of the year. I also appreciate the non-performers and marginal performers getting thier just deserts, "NOTHING"
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23982
All of these comments should be bundled in a letter and sent to McCain's campaign committee. It appeared that much of the last Republican debate centered on bashing the federal workforce. I wonder if these candidates, who appear to be falling back to 1970s campaign strategy, when this type of bashing seemed to work, now realize the public in general is much more sophisticated than they were 30 years ago and for the most part discounts this low-level negative trashing of our federal work force as so much bluster? These candidates (and in most cases, this term is applied loosely since they don't have a snowball's chance) are so disconnected that I really do fear that whomever gets in really won't be able to deal with the real problems we face today.
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23963
I'd been a strong McCain support for the last several years, encouraging many I know to take a better look at what he stands for. Then this insult, it would be hard for me to imagine anyone in the federal workforce supporting him after this. I know he has lost the support and votes of two extremely hard working feds in our household.
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23924
Republican political apointees are the ones that mismanaged the response to Katrina. Here's a Republican presidential candidate trying to blame the rank and file federal non-politial civil service employees for his own party's (deliberate?) incompetence.
(And no I don't work for FEMA.)
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23918
Sen. McCain:
You were the fresh wind on the horizon! As an ex-serviceman and POW, I am dismayed at your turncoat position on Civil Service. We in the civil service are the most dedicated group of citizens and defenders of this country. I, like yourself, am a Vietnam Veteran. I spend my time as a submarine sailor, and the last 27 years as a repairer of submarines and carriers. I love my country and work very hard at ensuring all of the naval vessels that return to sea are seaworthy, do their mission and then return to port. It's tough job that demands quality work within budget constraints. Come down here and see for yourself, and you will change your tune about us civil servants. We work hard, we are proud of our first-time quality and we resent the implication that we need to have our pay structure "re-engineered" by someone who has not been in the trenches. -
23913
I'm disheartened to hear these kind of ignorant statements about our workforce. According to Army statistics, since 1995, the number of acquisition actions have increased by 80% while the workforce has decreased by 23%. When private sector employment promises higher income and growth potential, it is precisely the sense of purpose and the promise of fairness and stability that draws younger employees, like myself, to public service. To top it all off, the knowledge base required for government acquisition requires years to acquire. What McCain, and many in Congress, fail to "get" is the problem with acquisition is not lack of regulation -- we already have plenty -- but of qualified individuals, and to balance the budget by cutting the very workforce entrusted to spend it wisely is penny-wise and pound-foolish.
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23910
It looks like the Federal Employees of our Nation are once again having their collective names dragged through the mud by one more expert promoting himself as the one who has all of the answers. I guess that I could spin this little prideful boasting that is being done here, but... hey, I could not come up with comedy gold like this stuff in a hundred years.See, see, it's really you and I, the American Civil Service worker that was a day late, and a dollar short responding to Hurricane Katrina after all.
Oh, and by the way.... McCain has now gone five weeks (and 42 roll calls) without casting a vote in the Senate.
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23904
Hey, I'm with Dave. You had my vote until I read what you just wrote. It's amazing to me that the long-term, dedicated civil servants survive inspite of all the beaucratic, grandiose programs implemented to "help us get ahead". NSPS is a prime example. And, OBTW, what happened to the initiative to bring fed salaries up to par with the outside sector (initiative was suppose to be implemented maybe 10-15 years ago). It never did come to fruitition.
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23901
"performance will determine whether they are funded the next year." Yeah, right. I am sure he will de-fund the Pentagon if they fail in Iraq, where they will still be if he is President.
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23898
We can instill in the next generation of public servants higher aspirations and a greater sense of purpose. That statement can only come from a member of congress that currently belittles the current workforce. As for as I am concerned the statement should apply to Congress.. All the workers that I know would never tell anyone what they do and who does it. We already value our country. Do you??
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23896
Dan Ketter
It's obvious by your comments that you have no idea what goes on in the Federal sector. I don't know where you've ever worked where "everyone" exceeded the performance standards, but I can tell you that it ain't anywhere I've ever worked and I've been a Fed for 19 years. More often than not, the budget doesn't allow for such.Federal employees are no different from their private sector counterparts. We all want to be paid fairly for what we do. We try our hardest to uphold the rules and laws that govern our work. We go above and beyond the call of duty on many days, evenings, and weekends. We're intelligent and innovative in the midst of systems that don't always allow for such. We manage to find ways to keep on doing our jobs through changes in adminstrations and political appointees (especially those inexperienced geniuses who come in thinking they're going to revamp or reinvent government and get some real work out of those lazy career feds.) To sum it up, we work hard for the money.
So until you figure out what being a Federal employee is all about, you might want to think about keeping your uninformed comments to yourself.
(P.S. I'm typing this from my government computer; however, I'm at lunch.)
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23895
I am a dedicated military veteran and DoD employee of 26 plus years that has given my all to job and country. You had my vote. You just lost it! Too late now, we all heard what you said and undoubtedly meant. There can be no apology accepted.
Bring out the next contestant!
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23893
As a Contracting Officer for the last 17 years, I can say with some credibility that most of the problems with inefficiency in contracting trace back to the very acquisition laws passed by Congress. Acquisition has for years been used to further social engineering and paybacks to various political constituencies, and has had too many restrictions. If the Senator is willing to view acquisition as being ONLY acquisition, then I am on board, but change must first come from the top.
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23891
I love looking at all the postings of our hard working Civil Servants. All done during the time they are being paid to work.
One only needs to look at the current performance rating system to know that there is no system everyone is exceeding the standard.
EEO has made enforcing the work standards a thing of the past to have to be a murderer to be removed. Stop the Whining and try earning your pay
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23885
Thank you, Government Executive, for easing my job in culling the chafe. As the song goes, "Another one bites the dust." Or as Bill Cosby would say "You! Out of the pool!"
To be honest, I originally considered him as one of the few "voices in the wilderness" decrying the ignorance and waste of the current conflict. As time goes by, he sounds more and more like that which I can't wait to be rid of, an egomaniacal pretender to a throne which does not exist.
I must agree with many particulars posted before me but of particular note was the HR Specialist "The reason for Civil Service protections is to make it hard to fire people in the federal sector to stop patronage-- like what we have seen with the US Attorneys fired for political reasons." They had it right when they lamented the possible return of the spoils system.
It is normally good to know "The Emperor has no clothes." Here, unfortunately, the mental image makes me shudder.
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23882
Senator McCain's remarks should have been put in the context of the need for continuous improvement; building on the great job that both President Clinton and President Bush have done implementing GPRA, PMA, and PART, rather than "rebuilding" a dysfunctional government. We have made great strides in performance management, accountability, transparency, and competition in government over the past 20 years, and will continue to do so by integrating the aging workforce with young professionals, leveraging technology, enabling strong private/public/nonprofit sector collaboration, and continuing to improve communications. Leading these initiatives is a journey marked by achievements and milestones along the way. We the people of the United States (its Federal workforce, and all citizens) just need to keep making progress in the journey. Every candidate will offer their perspective on these issues. Look for the best leaders to recognize and appreciate the work-in-progress.
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23881
I think Senator McCain may have mixed up a very apt description of the current administration (perhaps meant for a later speech?) with the description he gave of the civil service as a "no-accountability zone, where employment is treated as an entitlement, good performance as an option and accountability as someone else's problem." If the senator really wants to reform government service, the place most in need of higher standards is NOT the rank and file or the personnel system (that has been and IS CURRENTLY based on merit and performance), but the politically appointed civil servants. That's where better education, performance and accountability are lacking.
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23879
I've said it before and I'll say it again. Mr. McCain needs to shut his pie hole when it comes to the Federal workforce. He is retired military that somehow made it into a political position. Nothing worse than a politically correct ex-military. He has absolutely no grasp on civilian workforce issues and, probably has never even been employed by a civil organization other than politically. How could he even begin to understand the issues, and/or even begin appreciate the dedication, resourcefulness and "can do" spirit of the Federal workforce. Reorganize entirely? Where has he been? Ever heard of MEO? Centralizing? Higher aspirations and a greater sense of purpose? Who does he think has been collecting the taxes, protecting the borders, fighting terrorism, fighting a protracted war and providing support and assistance for one natural disaster after another, all concurrently, while getting to the MEO and centralizing? Did we spend all our time trying to cut and run or trying to find fault at every turn? Seems to me we're getting it done without having to aspire to higher things or having to have a greater sense of purpose. For "this generation" of the Federal workfoce it just comes natural to "handle it" regardless of lack of media and/or political support because it's always been that way. All I can say is "good luck" to the type of workforce he wants to put in place (i.e., contractors and "here today, gone tomorrow" types). They better hope they have some "old timers" that don't have any aspirations around so they can stay on track with their missions. I agree with alot of the comments about management. I'm tired of them riding our wave. The only good thing about NSPS is management is "supposed" to be held accountable. However, the writing is on the wall. It's going to be the same "good ol boy" system coming back but in a much, much bigger way. My first 2 years under NSPS have been OK (and they were supposed to be, it's the way it's planned. After the first 2 years you're on your own). Thats when the budget/salary crunch comes (as it will when the new administration begins it's search for the financial accountability of the military/contractor sector. And the Federal worker will pay for it as usual), you'll find out real quick how NSPS is a "good ol boy" system.
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23869
Thank you for the opportunity to respond. Are these comments being forwarded to the Senator? Without actually seeing the Senator's proposal, it is very difficult to understand the full intentions. I agree with the Senator that the Federal government needs an overhaul, but not just in the areas he mentions in this article, this is only hitting the surface and is a periperhial view. Its been a very, very long time since a cohesive, compreshensive, and integrated approach has been made to government reform. Attempts in the past, and there are several, i.e. NPR?PMA in previous administrations fall short of the mark, mainly because they are done in a vaccumn or planned and implementated in a very fragmented way. Singleing out specific areas for improvement/reform and not looking at the whole, just compounds the problem. For example, at the present time there are 15 Executive branch offices, 31 independent agencies, 31 boards, commissions, and committies, the Legislative branch, and of course the judicial branch that are in one way or the other involved with their own little niche. Reorganization of the Departments is where the proposal should start, getting rid of duplication and overlap and realignment is a must. This alone would save millions, maybe billions. The whole legislative system needs an overhaul to make this effective, there are numerous laws on the books that are no longer effective and have seriously overlapping requirements. The Senator, needs to look at the whole picture, and not single out an area for improvement/reform.
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23863
John McCain's vision is exemplary in this regard. I believe the message is misunderstood by many, however. Leveraging the coming retirement wave in government to increase efficiency and performance is a plan worth supporting. Those in government with the dedication to serve and perform at high levels should be championed - and McCain is looking to do so. It will take a revolution in knowledge management to ensure that the retirement wave does not wipe out decades of lessons-learned and best practices. McCain has the intelligence to recognize this fact and the good-sense to plan for it.
This is an issue that needs to be addressed even though it is a political hot potato. It takes strength in conviction to express a willingness to hold government programs and especially employees accountable for their performance, especially this early in a political campaign. Performance based management of the government has brought about exceptional efficiencies in the past seven years. The President's Management Agenda encapsulates a framework for steering government operations towards efficiency and accountability and away from waste, fraud, and abuse. Any candidate that is willing to continue on this course deserves the support of responsible citizens.
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23861
Senator McCain said, "We can instill in the next generation of public servants higher aspirations and a greater sense of purpose." After more than 25 years of dedicated federal service, have I just been "dissed"??? What's wrong with THIS generation of public servants??!!!
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23860
Someone should tell McCain that his babbling on about "the new workforce" kind of sounds like an open door for all kind of EEO problems......or is that another "right" that will be taken away? I'm a w/f, have worked in management for 20 of my 32 years, and I have worked by butt off to accomplish whatever issue (no matter how redundant) comes up. His remarks are a slap in the face. You won't get my vote. He needs to apologize to all loyal, dedicated, and hard working public servants. He might want to look at the statistics relating to DOD's reduction and the stress that it has already placed on this so called "stream-lined" workforce. Does he not understand that when the war started, our workload went up, and our workforce went down. GET REAL McCAIN if you even hope to get the vote of the federal employees (the one's that are left). We don't need tough love Mr. McCain, we get enough of it at work every day.
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23858
These comments by Mr. McCain appear to be more of his immature & inappropriate rantings; at least as immature as singing, "Bomb, Bomb, Bomb Iran."
Recently, Mr. McCain has been reported spouting vulgarity laced responses during political outings. He seems to be tolerated in the political community rather than respected.
Mr. McCain's rhetoric targets the usual hot button partisan issues; however, he shows little ability or sophistication in his approach to problem solving. For example, why does he not address more serious personnel deficiencies such as the shadow government issue & the 'Halliburton debacle'. Perhaps he does not want to alienate his friends?
Is Mr. McCain really the best option for the top job in the USA for the next four years?
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23856
Here we go again. Why do politicians always place the blame for everything on the shoulders of government employees? Perhaps because it shifts attention away from the elected folks. Smaller government? Who shall we cut? The people who inspect our meat to insure it is safe to eat? The medical attendants at the VA hospitals taking care of our veterans who have noone else? The National Parks people who preserve what beauty we have left in this country and make sure that visitors stay safe? Maybe the caretakers at the national cemetaries? Who are all these lazy, worthless government employees? They are the people who live next door to you - the people who buy your goods and services - the people who volunteer at your schools and churches. When is an elected official going to stand up and say "Let's hear it for the government employees - who do so much with so little?" Probably never - because they just don't see it - they can't see past the Potomac River.
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23854
"The candidate said a "new bargain" with federal employees would include more speedy firings, as seen in the private sector. He described the civil service as a "no-accountability zone, where employment is treated as an entitlement, good performance as an option and accountability as someone else's problem.""
So the good Senator is stating Government employees are only marginally better than those that are serving in Congress?
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23853
Bloody old fool. How is this any different from Bush or Gingrich--same old tune, over and over again--just beat down the Federal work force with lies and threats and maybe the public will buy into it, once again,and they will vote for me. It has been going on for decades now. The ass assume it is broken--IT IS NOT. He thinks that all the problems are with the workforce not the politicians, like himself. HA. Government agencies and the federal workforce protect Americans every single day, even from politician. The problems are with the politicians who have chosen to politicize government agencies and use them, distort them, for their own self interest.
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23852
Senator McCain, if you want to reform the federal government start pleaseeee from the top down. Your appointees/SES's go to sleep at night and dream up new ways to improve acquisition workers and always forget to improve their performance! There are fewer and fewer working employees (currently half of what is required to do the job) yet Management personnel increase but never decrease in number. Provide our soldiers and our Government with working level personnel and get rid of half of upper management/Mid Management then watch the work roll out.
I am tired of always being some Senators scapegoat for what is wrong with the government! Look in the mirror Senators! Congressmen! Congress put the federal regulations in place, we Sir just follow them.
Senator McCain, it is a shame you opened your big mouth and put your foot in it! It would also be a shame if any government worker is stupid enough to vote for you NOW!
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23848
I expected so much more from Senator McCain. He is my role model, but he is way off base on this issue. Sitting here in my legislativley constructed "cocoon" in the civil service I am surrounded by colleagues who are already well beyond their retirment eligibility but who press on because we have more to contribute, and because our experiences in the past provides us with an informed vision of the future. Senator McCain, please don't put us out to pasture just yet, we are your most valuable resource ... and you don't see it.
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23841
Sen McCain is missing the boat. He seems eager to disrespect the rank-in-file public servants and at the same time ignored the pathetic unprepared and poorly trained managers that lead our union federal employees.
In matter of fact, Sen. McCain should start with his partners in crime. It is a crime what is happening to our oil prices and our oil policy. It's a crime at how the economy has put many good union workers out of jobs, especially is areas like Detroit. How many people have to lose their home before Sen. McCain and all his coworkers do something to turn the tide of economical disater.
The bottom line is that the Senator doesn't need to bad mouth the government work force until he has cleaned up his own house and put his kitchen in proper order.
Senator McCain, please get our politicians out of their cocoons (including you) before you worry about the middle class rank-in-file hardworking government employee.
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23840
DHS is a perfect example of political responses to government organization and management. I think that most elected officials don't understand how day to day government works and their chosen tool for fixes is to legislate that it shall be fixed. Much more effort and insight is spent in finding government jobs for the "loyal".
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23838
It is good to know that Sen. McCain wants to improve the federal government. However well intentioned the good Senator is, he is also under informed and has not his homework. If we change the work rules of what federal employees are required to do they will do it more efficiently and effectively. Ross Perot had the idea implementing a tax form so simple it could be posted on a post card with large print. Make it easier for federal employees to do their job. That will bring down the cost of government.
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23836
Senator McCain is just another politician who has very few ideas on how to fix the problems that face the USA. He and the other politicians who criticize the Federal Employees forget that a great many problems are caused by a Congress that refuses to face the fact that they have not produced very good legislation over the last 30 years and what they have produced usually is near impossible to implement by the Federal Workforce. In addition, the Career Federal Employee at Middle or Senior Management levels has to deal with some incompetent political appointees, who have no concept of what is legal or illegal. Maybe the there should be a Sunset Bill on the Seniority of Politicians, rather than eliminating more Federal Employees.
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23834
I have worked for the government in the military and as a civilian, nothing can be changed until management is trained correctly. In my 25 plus years every appraisal I have had consisted of "your doing a great job, do you have any questions". Now that tells me alot...not
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23832
I applaud Senator McCain's bravery for stepping out and insulting the very workforce that has supported him over the years. I am a career civil servant with over 30 years of dedicated service and over 26 of those in federal contracting. What a big target we are for him when the very rules that hinder us are put into place by Congress. There is a good reason why we cannot function like private industry - it's called taxpayers. WalMart can respond more quickly than Government contracting professionals because they don't have all of the special interest groups to look after before award and no one to answer to after award. Who audits WalMart's contracts for compliance to federal regulations? The contracting folks who responded to Katrina have been under the microscope from every direction. There is no way for them to win. If they don't respond quickly enough, they get criticized and if they move quickly without taking the time to do full blown competitions, they get criticized. I would challenge Mr. McCain to spend a year working at that level and see if he feels the same way. The same thing is happening with the actions being taken to support the effort in Iraq. No matter which way the contracts are written, someone finds fault. Let me also say that civil servants can be fired but it follows due process. What a sad state we would be in if firing could be done without it. Let's talk integrity. Since Senator McCain finds it so easy to lump all federal workers into one group, I dare say that the lack of integrity among presidential appointees and elected officials is probably as high, if not higher, than integrity issues among the "working folks." Good luck to you Mr. McCain, I am sure you will need it after isolating such a large group of voting federal workers.
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23830
Good question...what ABOUT the fraud in Iraq reconstruction and Hurricane Katrina? I don't recall reading about any fraud by rank-and-file government employees, although I'm sure there may have been a small percentage. The reported frauds are committed by contractors and recipients. The lack of oversight caused by a deficit of government auditors and responsible employees is deplorable. Contractors overseeing contractors? How can you NOT expect fraud? As the administration continues to push for contracting out services that should be inherently governmental, fraud will only increase.
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23829
Like Mr. McManus, I am a Contracting Officer with 27 years of experience under my belt and yes, this is an old and tired line. Acquisition reform gets dusted off every couple of years because it's an easy target. Waste and fraud are rampant and we must do something about it.
What most of these chuckleheads fail to grasp is that our jobs are completely dictated by acquisition regulations, which are statutory laws...enacted by Congress!
The pendulum swings back and forth and will continue to swing long after I've finally retired and no longer have to worry about someone "reforming" my career field.
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23828
It is ironic that the Senator would say such a thing as civil service has "mutated into a no-accountability zone, where employment is treated as an entitlement, good performance as an option, and accountability as someone else's problem. If this is true at all, and it isn't for the most part, it has happened on his watch.
The "big boys" in government don't play by the rules as much as they should. There is a leadership crisis at the top (Executive branch and Congress). However, the majority of government workers are honest, hard working, employees who really care to make a quality difference in the lives of the American people, and they are generally tired of being the scapegoats of legislators who don't want to legislate as the founding fathers intended.
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23825
NSPS could be a good system. I am still under GS, however I applied for an NSPS job that just converted--would have been a promotion, but because it was NSPS, I would received a 5% raise instead of what I would have gotten if the job would have been a 12. I received a quality step increase on my appraisal that just closed out. I don't see any benefit to me taking an NSPS job with more responsibility with out a pay raise to go along with the responsibility--which is what NSPS does. It essentially penalizes current employees. The individual who was the hiring official told me--that if I was an outside hire, I could have negotiated my salary for alot higher that I would get being an internal hire. This does not seem fair for those of us who are outstanding performers--it gives us no incentive to try to move into a higher level job and use our gained knowledge and experience to better the government and agency we work for.
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23824
Overhaul the bureaucracy of the government(federal and state) to improve service when something is needed and it gets tied up in red tape taking forever to get results. It took four visits to the Social Security office and over a year to get reimbursed for a check from Social Security that was owed my family. Where is the accountability for the fraud in the restoration of Iraq and the Gulf Coast after Katrina & Rita?
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23823
If Sen. McCain actually thinks "...it is a healthy thing for Americans to be skeptical about the purposes and practices of public officials..." then excuse me if I am skeptical of Sen. McCain's proposal. What he fails to understand (or ignores is probably more accurate) is that these work rules he complains about are there for a reason. While Sen. McCain wants to make firings easier, this creates an unstable environment for employees and makes government employement even less attractive. Why should someone take less pay while having the same risk of being fired as in a private company? Sen McCain wants to increase federal pay, but anyone who's a federal employee knows that will happen only if Congress increases it's pay. Yea, we get our 2% or maybe a 3% adjustment, but it's less than inflation so I lose ground each year. I accept that my pay will never even meet that of a private company. In exchange, I get some additional level of job security; that I won't be fired on a whim or my job 'outsourced.' Sen McCain also seems to forget that federal employees serve a vital function of ensuring that government continues operation during administration changes. That's why the old spoils system was abolished from civil service. While Sen McCain bashes unions, again he forgets they serve a vital purpose of being the political voice for federal employees (which we are unreasonably gagged by the Hatch Act) and protect against management abuses. As a former union steward, I have had to defend many people from heavy-handed and unreasonable 'discipline' meated out by managers who believe they are annointed with special powers.
Yes, we have a "...cocoon of rules and regulations..." Yes, and for good reasons. Like so many that have come before him, tell Sen McCain that it ain't broke and don't need fixin'.
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23821
McCain is just another republican who is out of touch with the public majority. What we want is the war to end, alternative fuels, good jobs, and a stable economy.That is what the candidates need to focus on!
Public servants are not all perfect employees. The same can be said in the private sector...but government employees give up private sector perks for various reasons (job security,a sense of duty,pride in their agency).Can government be more efficient? Yes!But, let's work on that with a postive attitude which would challenge government employees to excel and not make them feel like the ax could fall at any time. Just not the right thing to do!
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23819
Is this reorganization plan going to be another (not well thought out) plan to only affect part of the federal workforce or just a plan to keep our civilian workforce in a state of flux? NSPS has placed our workforce in a turmoil without clear rules, guidelines, or direction for the most part. There are personnel at different bases who perform the same jobs and are or have been treated differently in the NSPS conversion(i.e. some are under NSPS and others are not.
Reorganization is fine, if everything is thought out thoroughly and worked out prior to implementation. NSPS can be characterized by "sending the cart before the horse" or "someone being pushed out from an airplane in flight after telling him/her to build a parachute on the way down without clear instructions."
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23816
Civil servant can be fired, the supervisor can't pull a Donald Trump and fire at will. What if the slacker is a minority or female or the bosses pet? "Can you say EEO?" How will a scared workforce improve anything? How do you expect to attract the best and brightest when NSPS will take the very thing that made civil service a good job? Thank you for thinking thoes of us who already serve are not the best and brightest and are a threat to national security?NSPS has nothing to do with national security and is an insult to the USA.It will harm national security when the best and bright leave government service. Never fear KBR et al is hear to save the day. Mc Cain and others that think that will not get my vote!!!
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23815
"We must streamline our workforce. . . . promote excellence at every level based on merit and accountability, and not let good workers be crippled by the fine print of the latest union contract," McCain said in an address that at times expressed a poor view of public servants."
Blah-Blah-Blah. Another Politician without a clue. I don't really get what this great love of the private sector is about except for the fact that they want "at-will" employment. The reason for Civil Service protections is to make it hard to fire people in the federal sector to stop patronage-- like what we have seen with the US Attorneys fired for political reasons.
Senator McCain wants to go back to the spoils system which would eliminate the professional civil service workforce we have had since President Garfield. OK but he should be honest about his intent.
And the Union bashing is really sad. The Middle class is dying in this country because Corporate America has really hurt private sector Unions and has taken advantage. Perhaps the fine print the good Senator is talking about are things like AWS schedules and day care subsidies and FMLA and other programs to make life livable at work.
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23814
As a Contracting Officer with over 28 years of contracting experience, I've heard this before, and before, and before. In the meantime I still see the same disconnects between program execution, personnel (OPM) and management. By the way, with regards to the new personnel system (NSPS), I offer this equation New system + same management = no change.
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23812
Senator McCain has some a good vision for government management reform, but has failed to recognize the dedication and many successes of the existing federal workforce. As a retirement eligible, I have witnessed continous positive change in how the workforce (DOD) is perceived by the public. Yes there is still much room for improvement but Senator McCain should avoid failing to acknowledge the positive if he expects to be our boss.
His support of PART and acquisition reform is laudable, but we have been through years of acquisition reform as well as holding management responsible only to achieve minimal effectiveness. The difficulty is the implementation of the good ideas and great intentions of the senior leadership. Senator McCain's conclusion "I know these reforms won't be easy. An entire bureaucracy has grown comfortable in its cocoon of rules and regulations and is not about to change its habits without a fight." is on the money. I wonder what he can do differrently from previous administrations if elected.
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23807
Sen. McCain should not paint with a broad brush all federal employees. I have met many dedicated public servants that would be successful anywhere, but they choose to serve their country. We all must remember that many of the rules and processes we follow are legislated!
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23805
Better start with the highest office in the land and work your way down. Take no prisoners and make no exceptions to the punishment delt.
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23804
Perhaps the Senator should be taking a closer look at political appointees (hacks), who usually interfere with an Agency's mission, rather than the hard-working employees who are short-handed.
Oh, and they should shut up about 'sole-source' contracts, the majority of which were fairly competed as Indefinate Quantity Indefinate Delivery contracts, that are awarded at the task (delivery) order level, which the stupid politicos think are sole source. Get your facts straight before you destroy our ability to function!
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23802
1.Pay Compatability: The Pay Compatability Act that the 1st President Bush passed has NEVER been fully implenented. 15% NEEDED TODAY.
2.The political speak, makes it sound like all government workers are lazy. We in the Veterans' Administration Hospitals work very hard with limited resources and have been cited by National Organizations, such as JCAHO, as providing excellent care in spite of short resources. REFORM YES, but do not penalize good workers.
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23800
McCain shows no fundamental understanding of the federal workforce and the issues of federal civilian service. His "new" vision is a rehash of old rheteric that the federal worker is the problem, and the unions are to blame. What he appears oblivious to is the fact that, as compared to 20 years ago, much of the federal work is now contracted out, or otherwise outsourced. For those workers left, they are asked to do more and more with less and less, and as politicians like McCain try to make federal government work operate more like the private sector (a dubious proposal in itself), workers are chosing to leave for the private sector because it is in fact less cumbersome than addressing the latest reform of the week, which he nor his fellow politicians would work under.
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23799
This sounds like the system that is currently being implemented within our workforce now. It has been implemented at the supervisory level and hopefully will be pushed to the lower levels once it clears all the UNION hurtles. Nice idea, it is already in the works.
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23796
Unions are not the problem in government! The incompetence of political appointees and permanent SES staff are the source of the problems. Look at the Dept of Defense. The comptroller who is responsible for all accounting policy and financial activity is a political science graduate with no accounting experience outside of government. She is setting all the rules and is totally in left field when it comes to accrual accounting. The accounting policies are being set by engineers and not accountants and the result is totally oput of line with acocunting standards. That illustrates the problems of the non-accountable government employee that is not motivated to high performance when performance is viewed as adherence to the bad policies set by incompetent personnel at the top!
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23793
Mr. McCain should return to Arizona and begin his own retirement. He has not come up with any new ideas since leaving the prison camps in Vietnam. I once had respect for him, but each time he opens his mouth, the more I see how incredibly inept and ignorant he truly is. As I have stated many times--King George is the only man that could make a life long republican miss Bill Clinton. I am only afraid that if the court jestor--John McCain--replaces King George--I will somehow find myself missing King George--what a cruel and unusual world that would truly be!
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23789
I think that I have a better chance of winning the lottery, then "Amnesty" McCain has of winning the Presidency. And I only play $1 per week!
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23787
I agree with some aspects of Senator McCain's proposals regarding the revamp of the federal workforce. There are employees who do not receive recognition for work performed and at appraisal time receive the same across-the-board performance award as do non-performers. As for contractors, it's like the federal workforce. I'm presently deployed to Iraq and we've contractors here who are non-performers and yet they are extended time and time again without resolving problems and putting our troops at risk. I think it's time to reconsider contracting out. I've seen contractors charge more than the AMDF price for goods since they are unavailable in the supply system. In addition, I'd reconsider DLA as the organization to go to for obtaining parts. Presently, we're experiencing a real problem with A/C parts and the temperatures in the AO are in the triple digits. Once an A/C is inoperable in vehicles, the vehicle is NMC. Presently, DLA waited too long to contract for compressors, condensers, and evaporators, which are the major parts failing. Soldiers are looking at GWDs of 120-180 days, which is NOT the answer. We require replacement parts now, not when the ambient temperature has lowered due to the onset of the fall season. In addition, I've worked with unit personnel who cannot obtain parts for their water system and are unable to shower and/or cook due to the unavailability of parts. This situation must be corrected and corrected now. The secondary parts should be removed from DLA and returned to the NICP for managing. DLA cannot wait until depletion of stock before a procurement request is submitted and expect units to sit idly by until award and receipt, which is months down the road attributed to ALT/PLT. Therefore, in reiteration, the federal workforce requires revamping at many levels, particularly at the top where so many organizations are top heavy and managers agree to disagree and create an inordinate amount of bottlenecks.
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23769
I don't trust McCain.
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23768
First he supports amnesty now he wants to bring back MaxHR? I guess that he doesn't want that nomination too bad, now does he?
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