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Oh No, Not The Dreaded "B" Word. . .

My Sentiments Exactly

Fiscally Responsible Fed
Somewhere
Thu Aug 20, 2009 7:07 AM

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We now have Chicago-Style Thug Politics where the ends justify the means. In this case, it doesn't matter on whose toes this Administration steps, so long as it rams through it's agenda.

This sends a clear message that us "Federal bureaucrats" need to "get out of the way" if we are going to survive.

What say you, NTEU, AFGE, NFFE, NAGE, IBEW, etc. ????

Re: My Sentiments Exactly

Hoffa
C.O. Dept of Justice Witness Protection Program
Fri Aug 21, 2009 12:03 AM
Obama is about to get a "teachable experience". Union leaders will do their jobs, or they too will get a "teachable experience". I am not dazzled by his celebrity. Obama may be a "one termer". The next election, he re-applies for his job. Same for the union leaders. If they can't keep Obama in line, then they too can be replaced.

Re: My Sentiments Exactly

IRS Agent
IRS
Fri Aug 21, 2009 11:05 AM
Settle down down, this isn't then end of the world. When Obama delivers a speech with a teleprompter, it is like art. When he talks off the cuff, he is choppy, stuttering and confused, much like the previous resident of the White House. This should be a sign to him that he should not speak off the cuff. He will do like every President before him (except for several, notably Carter & Reagan), praise the federal workforce when it behooves him and trash them behind the scences, much like Clinton who used the feds and unions to get elected the turned his back to them after. As for what are the unions going to do about it, what the hell do you think they can. I can remember having a conversation with a union official when Clinton was running for his second term, challenging him why should we support him when he let us down. The answer was simple, he was considered the lesser of 2 evils. Pretty sad but true. If you want to run pols and union officers out of office, good luck!

Well said!

TC
DoD
Thu Aug 20, 2009 8:49 AM

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I've always hated the "B" word...because as a federal employee, many people might consider me "one" - in fact, I'm a "b"argain to the people of this great nation... I could be making much more money in the private sector, but I am proud to be a public servant. Obamalama knocking us down just shows me that he wants to be the only "B"... and that's OK by me... hopefully it will only last another three years and three months and we'll put that "B" (not the same "B" as the others) out of work.

Re: Well said!

Prof
Small College
Fri Aug 21, 2009 10:54 AM
Why are you not in the private sector geting rich?. If you do not call a federal bureaucrat, a bureaucrat, what do you call a federal bureaucrat?

Thanks for remembering Max!

DoD Contractor
USAF
Thu Aug 20, 2009 8:55 AM

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I loved your article. You're one of the few others who has read and remembered Max Weber's theory of bureaucracy. Although Max thought it was the most efficient form of organization, the term "bureaucrat" has never been seen as a compliment--even by the bureaucrats themselves.

After taking an acquisition job with the Air Force in 1973, I labelled my personal folder for personnel-related papers "bureaucratic forms and trivia." An old-time civil servant saw it and reported it to top management. I was called in for counselling. So I explained that the term "bureaucracy" was more positive than negative, discussing Weber's theory of bureaucracy in detail with a Colonel and a GS-15. They went away with their heads shaking and I lived to work as a bureaucrat another 34 years. But I'm guessing they thought I was blowing smoke.

Thanks for your great article.

Oh No, Not The Dreaded B Word

Project Manager
HUD
Thu Aug 20, 2009 9:23 AM

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If people think in terms of bureaucracy, they ain't seen nothin' yet!!!! We have allowed this person to take over auto and banking industries. Health care is next. When (IF) that happens it will be the end of this great experiment in self government. Heaven help us - P L E A S E !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: Oh No, Not The Dreaded B Word

Retiree
DoD
Thu Aug 20, 2009 9:59 PM
I agree. By the way, the Federal Government has no business whatsoever getting involved in health care, it is totally unconstitutional. These politicians and bureaucrats need to educate themselves on what the constitution says; they have no clue ...

Re: Oh No, Not The Dreaded B Word

Assistant to the Deputy Director
Labor
Fri Aug 21, 2009 8:29 AM
How exactly is the government getting involved in health care unconstitutional?? Is Medicare unconstitutional? Are the VA hospitals unconstitutional?

Have some sense about this.

The government didn't take the auto industry or the banking industry. The government is running NEITHER of those. Please do a little research before you post this stuff.

Re: Oh No, Not The Dreaded B Word

Retiree
DoD
Fri Aug 21, 2009 5:49 PM
I HAVE done some research thank you. Most people, need to educate themselves as to what the Constitution is and means. The purpose of the federal government isn't to provide social programs for the people. That is left up to the states, or to the people. That was the intent of the founding fathers, and it's very clear if you read and understand the constitution. The federal government's powers are defined and limited, not unlimited. Please read Article I Section 8 (grants 17 congressional powers, not undefined or unlimited powers). Also see Amendments IX and X.

The Constitution provides for the military, so yes, the VA is constitutional. However, Medicare is unconstitutional. It is not delegated to the federal government. But most politicians don't care, they just do what they want. Universal Health Care, Medicare, food, shelter, jobs, clothes, transportation, etc, are important, but not the responsibility for the federal government to provide.

Re: Oh No, Not The Dreaded B Word

Assistant to the Deputy Director
Labor
Mon Aug 24, 2009 8:47 AM
So, EVERY government program except the military is unconstitutional?

Yeah, OK.

Bureaucrats

Electrical Engineer
Army
Thu Aug 20, 2009 9:27 AM

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The author could have used better examples that just a GS-15 level manager. Tell any engineer, scientist, network or database administrator, technician, nutritionist, technologist, or a hundred others at any grade, that they don't exercise "intelligent judgment" and at best they'd make a rude noise and laugh at you. But when your boss insults you mindlessly it's no wonder everyone else does as well.

Out of Touch

Bill Williams
Postal Servicre Retiree
Thu Aug 20, 2009 9:44 AM

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Well, duh, Obama trashed the Postal Service rather profoundly. Of course, the man does care to set an example, and doesn't, at least not a good one.

Response to reader's comments

Internal Revenue Agent
Internal Revenue
Thu Aug 20, 2009 10:14 AM

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I have been a federal employee for 30 years and as David Orr implied--it comes with the territory. If you guys are that unhappy with the territory, get the heck out of Dodge.

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