...'nuff said.

Started by a777pilot, November 24, 2012, 09:54:40 AM

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Lemondrop

Quote from: Solar on November 26, 2012, 06:43:21 AM
Your understanding of the Fed contractual agreement is extremely flawed.
You yourself said it  That's because our hands are tied, if we deviate one iota, the contract is null and void.
I know, because, I'm a retired Defense Contractor, if I did the right thing and didn't stay within the bounds of the contract, I didn't get paid.
The fault is with the Govt and it's contract system, not with the worker.

Oh, and you don't see an issue with $70.0 per hour, as opposed to the private sector?
Who do you suppose built those systems you claim were faulty? The private sector, and it is strict Fed controls over the private sector that tie our hands when performing our duties.
That's right, overpaid bureaucrats making $70.0 an hour because no private industry would hire them.

Welcome to the forum.

Thank you for your welcome.

I'm not disagreeing that the contracting system is flawed - it is.  But some of your statements are equally flawed.

It is the QUALITY of the workmanship I am lamenting - and the individual private contractor workers' quality is substandard... almost universally. 

And the $70?  I'm not talking about someone actually earning $70/hour - I'm talking about the cost of the work, per hour, to the taxpayer - including the actual components being installed, the travel costs, etc.  No blue-collar federal worker makes half of $70/hour.

But my issue was with the post - lumping ALL federal workers into a stereotype, as lazy, incompetent bumbling fools that drink coffee and shuffle papers all day - this IS unfair and inaccurate...

Solar

Quote from: Lemondrop on November 26, 2012, 06:51:31 AM
Thank you for your welcome.

I'm not disagreeing that the contracting system is flawed - it is.  But some of your statements are equally flawed.

It is the QUALITY of the workmanship I am lamenting - and the individual private contractor workers' quality is substandard... almost universally. 

And the $70?  I'm not talking about someone actually earning $70/hour - I'm talking about the cost of the work, per hour, to the taxpayer - including the actual components being installed, the travel costs, etc.  No blue-collar federal worker makes half of $70/hour.

But my issue was with the post - lumping ALL federal workers into a stereotype, as lazy, incompetent bumbling fools that drink coffee and shuffle papers all day - this IS unfair and inaccurate...
My reference to the inequality of the pay scale, Fed workers get an exorbitant amount of benefits as compared to the private sector, where the private sector is forced to work within a competitive mkt place re: pay.

Fact is, Fed workers number 3 to 1 over the private sector in any given field, mostly do to redundancy of a bureaucratic mess of paper work, one person does the actual work, while two push paper.
Personally I don't believe Fed workers that do the actual work are lazy, but they aren't under contract to finish the job in any short time frame, so it's easier to take your time, where the private sector worker doesn't have the same luxury.
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keyboarder

Quote from: The Stranger on November 26, 2012, 06:05:43 AM
Thank you
I already like this forum!

Definitely one of the few things left that are addictive but thoroughly enjoyable in a good way.
.If you want to lead the orchestra, you must turn your back to the crowd      Forbes

Solar

Quote from: Lemondrop on November 26, 2012, 06:11:30 AM
Your characterization of Federal workers is both inaccurate and unfair. 

I have worked for the Federal Government for 25 years, as a civilian electronics mechanic for the U.S. Coast Guard.  Typically, we perform electronics upgrades and installations, often traveling more than 6 months/year.

The man-hour rate for our work - the money it costs the taxpayer - is around $70 / hour.  That's NOT what we earn - it's what it costs you.  I earn around $25 / hour - more than the private sector, yes.

However... two things you must remember:  I have extensive, significant exposure to the work quality of private electronics companies... and - almost universally - their work is VERY substandard, woefully substandard.  On numerous occasions, I have been called out to repair the system they've installed, after they're "finished."  They adhere to the letter of their contracts, and refuse to deviate - even in cases where the installation will NOT work, if wired to the parameters of the contract - they DO NOT care.  At least 50% of the time, it is necessary for follow-up repairs to be made, after private contractors finish an installation.

IMO -  the source of problem is that the individual worker at most private contractors earn $10-$15 / hour - and, as a result, they attract workers of less skill and experience.  Also, the ONLY priority for these workers is SPEED - because time is money, and the more installations they perform, the more money they earn for the company.  Quality is not a priority.

However, private contractors cost SIGNIFICANTLY more - $125 and up - per hour, than the cost of the civilian federal worker, to the taxpayer.  Yes, the workers earn less money, but the company charges the taxpayer more.  Less quality at a higher price...  I could list at least six private contractors I'm very familiar with - and each one costs $100+ / man-hour, to the taxpayer.

The other benefit of federal workers is that we guarantee - for forever - the continuing operation of our installations - because, as (civilian) members of the Coast Guard, we've bought into it - Service to the Fleet is our motto, and we take it seriously.  The moment that private contractors step off the boat, their "warranty" expires - because the profit has been realized.

Your characterization of the federal work force is both flawed and insulting.
I find it interesting how you claim his post is both flawed and insulting, then turn around and use anecdotal evidence in the same way, same claim.
Also, I have to ask, how can you justify your Govt employment at a higher rate than that of the private sector?
What you do can easily be handled via private industry, at a much cheaper bill to the tax payer.
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Lemondrop

Quote from: Solar on November 26, 2012, 12:27:10 PM
I find it interesting how you claim his post is both flawed and insulting, then turn around and use anecdotal evidence in the same way, same claim.
Also, I have to ask, how can you justify your Govt employment at a higher rate than that of the private sector?
What you do can easily be handled via private industry, at a much cheaper bill to the tax payer.
Anecdotal evidence is taking one example and equating it with continual results - and every civilian I work with, every Coast Guard station ET shop, every engineer at the Engineering Center in Virginia, will tell you the same thing - that the lower rates that they pay the private industry workers leads to lower skilled, less capable employees doing substandard installations... which I end up repairing, as a govt civilian.  I'm not talking isolated incidents, but a chronic problem.  The head of the (civilian) ET shop in Portland, Maine - a personal friend - went to a division meeting in Boston begging the D1 Command NOT to employ the (large and well-connected) private contractor at the Maine base - because of substandard work... to no avail.  Talk to any ET shop on the East Coast, they'll tell you the same thing.

Yes, we're paid more than these workers - and, Ruth Chris costs more than McDonalds.  Yet, the overall cost to the taxpayer is HIGHER for the private contractor - I'm friends with several contracting officers, they have the facts.  The workers get paid less, but the overall cost to the taxpayer is more - because the govt does NOT make a profit... private companies do, and the corners they cut lead to more profits, but lower quality.

The $70 man-hour rate - cheaper than the private contractor, as I quoted earlier - includes all of our supposedly "legendary" benefits, also. 

If you look at electricians (for example) in my local area, our wages are commiserate with the local electricians in the area - same with machinists, loftsmen, and other skilled trades.  We don't make an exorbitant wage, but a wage similar to the private industry in our local area.  Every several years, govt. agencies do an analysis of local wages, vs. govt skilled wages, and adjust accordingly... both up and down. 

My overall point though, was that the reputation that govt workers are lazy, overpaid bums is inaccurate - we cost the taxpayer less, and deliver a higher quality product, than many of our private competitors.

And any civilian blue-collar govt worker can verify this...

Not Politically Correct

Quote from: Lemondrop on November 26, 2012, 01:23:39 PM
Anecdotal evidence is taking one example and equating it with continual results - and every civilian I work with, every Coast Guard station ET shop, every engineer at the Engineering Center in Virginia, will tell you the same thing - that the lower rates that they pay the private industry workers leads to lower skilled, less capable employees doing substandard installations... which I end up repairing, as a govt civilian.  I'm not talking isolated incidents, but a chronic problem.  The head of the (civilian) ET shop in Portland, Maine - a personal friend - went to a division meeting in Boston begging the D1 Command NOT to employ the (large and well-connected) private contractor at the Maine base - because of substandard work... to no avail.  Talk to any ET shop on the East Coast, they'll tell you the same thing.

Yes, we're paid more than these workers - and, Ruth Chris costs more than McDonalds.  Yet, the overall cost to the taxpayer is HIGHER for the private contractor - I'm friends with several contracting officers, they have the facts.  The workers get paid less, but the overall cost to the taxpayer is more - because the govt does NOT make a profit... private companies do, and the corners they cut lead to more profits, but lower quality.

The $70 man-hour rate - cheaper than the private contractor, as I quoted earlier - includes all of our supposedly "legendary" benefits, also. 

If you look at electricians (for example) in my local area, our wages are commiserate with the local electricians in the area - same with machinists, loftsmen, and other skilled trades.  We don't make an exorbitant wage, but a wage similar to the private industry in our local area.  Every several years, govt. agencies do an analysis of local wages, vs. govt skilled wages, and adjust accordingly... both up and down. 

My overall point though, was that the reputation that govt workers are lazy, overpaid bums is inaccurate - we cost the taxpayer less, and deliver a higher quality product, than many of our private competitors.

And any civilian blue-collar govt worker can verify this...


Lemondrop:

Let me be somewhat more to the point as i always have this problem with being direct and not so politically correct.

As a Government Worker you are Lazy You make Zero Decisions except to justfify your worthless existence.

As a Government Worker you deserve Less Pay because you DO NOTHING OF SIGNIFICANCE.  You spend your days lamenting the fact that you could not cut in in Private.....because you are a C Student at best and have the personality appeal of each and every bureucrat......pathetic.......

Government Workers when cut by the needed 40% (First Responder Exceptions which include FIELD FF COPS, Service In Harms Way etc)  WILL NOT BE MISSED OR FOR THAT MATTER EVEN NOTICED>   That is how valueless your stated 25 years of experience is worth.

Those Dirtbag Fed Employees who "Double Dip"....will be shot as compulsive thieves known as "Serial Thieves".

I do hope this clears up your apparent lack of understanding.....

NPC

Solar

Quote from: Lemondrop on November 26, 2012, 01:23:39 PM
Anecdotal evidence is taking one example and equating it with continual results - and every civilian I work with, every Coast Guard station ET shop, every engineer at the Engineering Center in Virginia, will tell you the same thing - that the lower rates that they pay the private industry workers leads to lower skilled, less capable employees doing substandard installations... which I end up repairing, as a govt civilian.  I'm not talking isolated incidents, but a chronic problem.  The head of the (civilian) ET shop in Portland, Maine - a personal friend - went to a division meeting in Boston begging the D1 Command NOT to employ the (large and well-connected) private contractor at the Maine base - because of substandard work... to no avail.  Talk to any ET shop on the East Coast, they'll tell you the same thing.

Yes, we're paid more than these workers - and, Ruth Chris costs more than McDonalds.  Yet, the overall cost to the taxpayer is HIGHER for the private contractor - I'm friends with several contracting officers, they have the facts.  The workers get paid less, but the overall cost to the taxpayer is more - because the govt does NOT make a profit... private companies do, and the corners they cut lead to more profits, but lower quality.

The $70 man-hour rate - cheaper than the private contractor, as I quoted earlier - includes all of our supposedly "legendary" benefits, also. 

If you look at electricians (for example) in my local area, our wages are commiserate with the local electricians in the area - same with machinists, loftsmen, and other skilled trades.  We don't make an exorbitant wage, but a wage similar to the private industry in our local area.  Every several years, govt. agencies do an analysis of local wages, vs. govt skilled wages, and adjust accordingly... both up and down. 

My overall point though, was that the reputation that govt workers are lazy, overpaid bums is inaccurate - we cost the taxpayer less, and deliver a higher quality product, than many of our private competitors.

And any civilian blue-collar govt worker can verify this...
Yes, there is so much wrong with this, first it is a very myopic view of a huge bureaucracy, one where people do screw the Govt, I know, I bid against these people and usually won.
And your claim that your wages are based against the scale for those in the electrical field is just Govt unions way of sucking another penny from the taxpayer, not very many electricians work year around and the majority are independent contractors paying for everything out of that twenty or thirty bucks an hour.
So your claim that you cost the tax payer less is, as I said before, purely anecdotal, there is no comparing a full time employee to one hired for spec, especially if you get hurt on the job, the spec employee just gets replaced, you on the other hand still get a paycheck.
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Lemondrop

Quote from: Not Politically Correct on November 27, 2012, 05:26:10 AM

Lemondrop:

Let me be somewhat more to the point as i always have this problem with being direct and not so politically correct.

As a Government Worker you are Lazy You make Zero Decisions except to justfify your worthless existence.

As a Government Worker you deserve Less Pay because you DO NOTHING OF SIGNIFICANCE.  You spend your days lamenting the fact that you could not cut in in Private.....because you are a C Student at best and have the personality appeal of each and every bureucrat......pathetic.......

Government Workers when cut by the needed 40% (First Responder Exceptions which include FIELD FF COPS, Service In Harms Way etc)  WILL NOT BE MISSED OR FOR THAT MATTER EVEN NOTICED>   That is how valueless your stated 25 years of experience is worth.

Those Dirtbag Fed Employees who "Double Dip"....will be shot as compulsive thieves known as "Serial Thieves".

I do hope this clears up your apparent lack of understanding.....

NPC

I'm sorry, I thought this forum was a place where we could discuss different issues across the political spectrum.  I see it is not.  It is a place where people flame a person, the very first time they ever interact with them.  I will be deleting this website from my Favorites and never returning after this post, so I will not see your reply, so enjoy yourself.  Just know you're speaking from ignorance.  And, by the way, I've installed radar, navigations and communications systems on every 210', 270' and 378' Cutter in the Coast Guard fleet, and we respond to 90,000 Search and Rescue missions every year - real lives being saved.  I'm an integral part of that.  I just wanted to clear up some peoples' misconceptions, but you're too ignorant to waste my time with.  Just know that us in the Coast Guard stand ready, despite your foolishness.  Mods - if you're reading this, please delete my account.

walkstall

Quote from: Lemondrop on November 27, 2012, 03:21:11 PM
I'm sorry, I thought this forum was a place where we could discuss different issues across the political spectrum.  I see it is not.  It is a place where people flame a person, the very first time they ever interact with them.  I will be deleting this website from my Favorites and never returning after this post, so I will not see your reply, so enjoy yourself.  Just know you're speaking from ignorance.  And, by the way, I've installed radar, navigations and communications systems on every 210', 270' and 378' Cutter in the Coast Guard fleet, and we respond to 90,000 Search and Rescue missions every year - real lives being saved.  I'm an integral part of that.  I just wanted to clear up some peoples' misconceptions, but you're too ignorant to waste my time with.  Just know that us in the Coast Guard stand ready, despite your foolishness.  Mods - if you're reading this, please delete my account.

Sorry Mods do not delete accounts on this board.   
Wow! one post and you run.  Foolishness is thinking that the government is the answer.  It nice to know you don't fix thing for the Coast Guard like you debate. 
When you come to a Political board, it helps to have thick skin.  If not you have lost the debate before you get started.

A politician thinks of the next election. A statesman, of the next generation.- James Freeman Clarke

Always remember "Feelings Aren't Facts."

Not Politically Correct

Quote from: Lemondrop on November 27, 2012, 03:21:11 PM
I'm sorry, I thought this forum was a place where we could discuss different issues across the political spectrum.  I see it is not.  It is a place where people flame a person, the very first time they ever interact with them.  I will be deleting this website from my Favorites and never returning after this post, so I will not see your reply, so enjoy yourself.  Just know you're speaking from ignorance.  And, by the way, I've installed radar, navigations and communications systems on every 210', 270' and 378' Cutter in the Coast Guard fleet, and we respond to 90,000 Search and Rescue missions every year - real lives being saved.  I'm an integral part of that.  I just wanted to clear up some peoples' misconceptions, but you're too ignorant to waste my time with.  Just know that us in the Coast Guard stand ready, despite your foolishness.  Mods - if you're reading this, please delete my account.


Lemondrop:

Stand your damn ground my token moderate.  Do not allow me or anyone else to deny you the right to present your case and/or your argument with fervor and without fear of the Government Religion of PC.  I will personally defend your right to do so!!!  Capeesh.

Now on the otherhand do not expect me to give you dripping endorsement of the SOS that is profferred by almost every Liberal and Moderate on Earth......"Yes Government is indeed corrupt and lazy and bloated.....but NOT IN MY DEPARTMENT....In "My" department we are overworked and underpaid"......

It is this FALSE TENOR OF serial lying to oneself that perpetuates the BS of Government....

Rather....TELL US WHAT THE HELLL AND WHO NEEDS TO BE CUT.....TODAY.....

BTW....just a suggestion as we move forward....do not leave yourself "Wide Open" with personall antedotes of your value and your prowess.....Trust me on this.....Top Boards are not made up of mental midgets and/or people who cannot read throught the lines.....and seperate Fact from "Personal Aggrandizing".....sp.

Also....if a weak little stupid guy like me can run you off with such a mild post....maybe you should take up Checkers or perhaps do On Line Game....

My experience is you will find some things with BOMB throwers you agree....and somethings that will psss you off.....

On all things....Bomb throwers will make you think....on both sides of the aisle...unless you are really a moderate who is incapable of thinking for yourself and/or ANY LEADERSHIP.

Now this is about as close to a Kindness as you are going to get from me.....

Buck up and kick some damn Ass my man.....But do leave PC crap out of it....I look for that crap and take personal enjoyment in first esposing same for the "Apostacy"...and then Exposing the Follower of Government PC for the FRAUD they always ARE....

Luv

NPC

Darth Fife

I have no problem with government employees - other than there being too many of them - but that is another debate entirely. Realistically, there are some things the people require their government to do for them and for that, you need to hire employees.

Originally, the idea of paying government employees more than their non-government counterparts was actually based on Free Market concepts; if you want to get and keep good employees, you pay them better wages than your competition. What screwed things up was the advent of public sector unions - greedy public sector unions.

Like Kennedy and Roosevelt (to name a few) I believe that public sector unions are not desirable, and I'll go even farther, I think there should be a Constitutional Amendment banning them.

Finally, I also dislike people who can't make a point without making uninformed, bigoted, sweeping generalization about any given group of people - especially a group as diverse as Government Employee. That's not being Not Politically Correct, that just being stupid and rude.

In other words - a jerk!


The Stranger

Quote from: Lemondrop on November 27, 2012, 03:21:11 PM
I'm sorry, I thought this forum was a place where we could discuss different issues across the political spectrum.  I see it is not.  It is a place where people flame a person, the very first time they ever interact with them.  I will be deleting this website from my Favorites and never returning after this post, so I will not see your reply, so enjoy yourself.  Just know you're speaking from ignorance.  And, by the way, I've installed radar, navigations and communications systems on every 210', 270' and 378' Cutter in the Coast Guard fleet, and we respond to 90,000 Search and Rescue missions every year - real lives being saved.  I'm an integral part of that.  I just wanted to clear up some peoples' misconceptions, but you're too ignorant to waste my time with.  Just know that us in the Coast Guard stand ready, despite your foolishness.  Mods - if you're reading this, please delete my account.

If you work as you say for the government then you know they are the problem. Do you really expect a private contractor NOT TO FOLLOW A CONTRACT and NOT get paid?
Your problem seems to be with your own bosses who write the specs for the private contractor. You have been given examples of you either do it their way or you don't get paid. The end!
"Every man is like the company he keeps."
"Show me your friends and I'll show you your Future"

Not Politically Correct

The Real Question for Patriotic Americans?:

"Taking back the Government and Reduing said Federal Government to 60% of Current"..

There is NO ROOM FOR BS...Government Spending MUST BE REDUCED!!!!

This Means Firing Federal Employees.

Non Military and/or NON-First Responders are a BLIGHT ON AMERICAN SOCIETY.

More than 20% of current Federal Employees are in Fact DEAD WEGHT....Capeesh.

FIRE THEM TODAY.....Agreed?

Or are you just another worthless "moderate/liberal" sycophant?

Do you Not just Tire of the repeated BS that Fed Emplyees FIRING IS OFF THE TABLEaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa?

NPC

Darth Fife

Quote from: Not Politically Correct on November 29, 2012, 07:03:29 PM
The Real Question for Patriotic Americans?:

"Taking back the Government and Reduing said Federal Government to 60% of Current"..

There is NO ROOM FOR BS...Government Spending MUST BE REDUCED!!!!

This Means Firing Federal Employees.

Non Military and/or NON-First Responders are a BLIGHT ON AMERICAN SOCIETY.

More than 20% of current Federal Employees are in Fact DEAD WEGHT....Capeesh.

FIRE THEM TODAY.....Agreed?

Or are you just another worthless "moderate/liberal" sycophant?

Do you Not just Tire of the repeated BS that Fed Emplyees FIRING IS OFF THE TABLEaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa?

NPC

Now...

Try taking those disjointed, unsupported, irrationally aligned headlines and organizing them into a logical argument which is supported by verifiable fact. Also, turn the caps lock "off" and the spell check "on".

Your passion is laudable but unless you learn to control it, harness its energy and direct it towards a useful end, it will be your undoing.

Oh, and the word is spelled c-a-p-i-c-h-e.

Capiche?

Not Politically Correct

Are you just another Moderate who really deep down inside wishes to continue the same blah blah dribble of spending insanity and employment of worthless and useless bureaucrats.

There 3 Million Prox Federal Employees.  Firing on or about 10,000 (A tiny fraction) reduces expenses by One Trillion.

I Say fire them from each every department.....No Political BS....no "Games" about which Department is more useless than another.  Fire them from EVERY department across the Board.  We the citizens would not even notice a 10,000 Federal Bureucrat Cleansing.....

Protect only the following:  Military in Harms way, those Fed Employees earning less than $50K (if there are any), Fed Law Enforcement with FIELD ASSIGNMENTS, and FIRST RESPONDERS With FIELD ASSIGNMENTS.

And puppy certainly do not need any assistance on How to Spell.  It is about the Substance and NOT the Form.   

Simply state "How Many DO YOU WANT FIRED TODAY" to reduce Budget Deficit and balance budget.

Simple question.  Can you answer it without complicating dirt which is what most pc moderate weasels have as their only defense to appropriate business logic.

As well......Oh Well....Your turn