The Week in Comments: Debt deal, frustration over FAA furloughs
The best in reader reaction to recent articles.
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 Debt deal reached; major cuts coming
This news sounds like just another political drug deal to pass the buck until after the next election.
I still cannot figure out why no tax loopholes were closed. Why are we allowing huge profits for oil companies and other large companies who pay no taxes? Because they are large political contributers to both parties does not cut it.
I recommend cutting all federal jobs in tea party districts. Then see the fur fly.
When will the house and senate take a pay cut?
Don't blame the tea party. They are the only thing keeping us from sliding off the marxist/socialist cliff. The democrats have shifted far left, the republicans have shifted left of center to where the democrats used to be and the tea party has filled in where the republicans used to be. At least the tea party is willing to stand its ground and represent the people who elected them instead of following their party leadership like a bunch of blind sheep the way the democrats and republicans are doing.
Remember, IRS does not make the tax rules, congress does.
On Federal employee groups await the chopping block
Yep, keep the cuts coming. Along with myself and a number of others, we have all either found jobs in the private sector at better wages and benefits or are filing retirement papers as we speak. Thanks feds, it has been rewarding being a public servant but the current political climate has gone too far. We could take just so much abuse and are now enjoying the better pay and benefits we are getting from the private sector. I should be able to retire at least 5 - 10 years earlier than I expected from my federal job based on the increase in pay I got when I went private. Whoever is left, turn out the lights when you leave.
Can some one please tell me where foreign aid falls into this picture of cuts/balance /redistribution, etc? As huge payments are sent abroad to support all manner of idiotic programs and assistance to very questionable leaders or parties...who's watching foreign aid? Also, why do we continue to allow the UN to reside in this country...and fund it as though they actually cared about the American agenda...the UN should be relocated to a developing African country or perhaps Haiti!!!
Boy they are going to cut nurses and doctors it may really effect the efficiency of the hospitals. There are many aging WWII veterans and their care may be compromised. Let's hope this doesn't happen and I really doubt that it will.
Our screwed up priorities fuel our spiral into becoming a developing country. By the time I retire, we'll just be a large banana republic.
Why do federal employees think they are some kind of protected class with a guaranteed job, pay and benefits? Try working out in industry and you'll come back on your knees begging for your federal job. This is the reality that industry employees have been subjected to for decades, get used to it or find another line of work.
On IG: Iraq logistics contractor marked up prices as much as 12,000 percent
When we are fighting a "war", who cares about cost? It's nice to know that all those proposed cuts in civil service pay and benefits along with cuts to Social Security and Medicare is going to a good cause. Remember it's all in the name of freedom. The freedom to lose your job, reduce your pay, cut your health care and eliminate your retirement. But for our business and their subservient political leaders, life at the top has never been better. Indefinite War and No new taxes!
Given the current economic environment, I find this disgusting.
Please do not paint all Defense Contractors with that Tar Brush. Some of us are actually War Veterans who take what we do seriously and are still supporting our fellow soldiers. Do note that the mentioned contractor was where? Do business with US Based companies and hire our own citizens.
Why wasn't this investigation done prior to all the problems Bunny went through trying to say the same things. It is obvious that these contracts were thrown together and money tossed every which way when we started this war.
On FAA safety inspectors paying dearly for congressional inaction
Thanks guys. You are true professionals who keenly feel your work is important as do most Americans. This is shameful of the congressmen to do this to you and to the safety of American skies. Thank you again.
So, these dedicated employees are working on their own nickel to ensure the travelling public is safe, and our illustrious congressional representatives and senators are burning rubber to get out of DC for a five-week vacation?? When I see members of congress on TV pointing out how warped Washington is, and the government is, I'm astounded that they don't seem to include themselves in the criticism.
The GOP will reward these dedicated employees with pay and benefit cuts. Sad, but true.
You mean that due to congressman Mica's (R-FL) insistence that FAA cut a few million in rural airport subsidies, FAA is losing out on over a BILLION in tax revenue? What kind of obstructionist math is at work in Mica's head? As a result, America's air safety is being compromised. I commend the dedication of these FAA inspectors, but this can't go on.
What an excellent example of the true attitude of most federal employees' level of dedication! The Congress should consider this before cutting our pay & benefits. (Or maybe they'd prefer we pay for the government out of our own pockets?)
Interesting - Legislators at recess while govt workers are still on the job. Am I missing something?
The expression "This is no way to run an airline" comes to mind.
What about those dedicated employees being allowed to work while furloughed? Does any realize this is a violation of federal law?
As a tea party supporter, I have to agree with the republicans on this. Yes, the government may miss out on $1 billion in revenues during this inpass, but if we let the democrates win on the $16 million in small airport subsidies, what will they want next? And why should we make it be easier for a person to join a union? That doesn't make sense! 4,000 feds may be out of a job for a little while and 70,000 construction workers were layed off, but this is a small price to make a point!
On 'Gang of Six' pessimistic about special debt panel
1. It is doubtful that the super committee will accomplish what the Bowles-Simpson commission and the Gang of Six failed to. 2. President Obama and the Congress have kicked the can of worms down the road, but the worms are not going away.
The Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction will have to be comprised of members who are set to retire at the end of this term or are so safe that they could agree to anything and still get reelected. Otherwise the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction is irrelevent and the automatic cuts will happen (or not if Congress acts).
On Under debt deal, military pay, veterans programs in play for cuts
This is an appropriate action considering everyone is under the Congressional ax. The Military has been for a long time now a volunteer force and most of the men and women who served are there because of a higher calling and this nation is grateful for their service. However, you do not join the military to get rich and benefits need to be examined just like any other organization within the government.
It is truly sad that our warfighters could be affected by cuts to Veterans health programs. We have ourselves to blame for the present state of our Nation. Without voters electing the same incompetent and unethical politians year after year, The government would never have became so corrupt and illegitimate as we see it is today. We better start making better choices in who we send to Washington. Or is it too late already?
I am not surprised. This administration and this congress are the most anti-military, anti-DoD I have ever seen except for Carter. The military and veterans are not appreciated or liked by these entities. It is clear that they value the nanny state and welfare recipients instead of people who EARNED their way. They should be ashamed of themselves.
NEXT STORY: Obama calls on Congress to end FAA impasse