| Comment Number: | EM-017601 |
| Received: | 3/15/2005 1:43:52 AM |
| Subject: | Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, Request for Comment |
| Title: | National Security Personnel System |
| CFR Citation: | 5 CFR Chapter XCIX and Part 9901 |
| No Attachments |
Comments:
March 15, 2005 DoD NSPS Comments , DoD NSPS Comments: I am deeply troubled by the changes--and the pace at which this has occurred--within federal civil service. Specifically, I think a review is needed before any final changes are implemented with the Department of Defense (DOD). America used to be corrupt and full of political payoffs within civil service. Patronage was a way of life in the 1800s. The winner of an election would put in their supporters for government jobs. A good example of this corrupt lifestyle was Boss Tweed with Tammany Hall. Civil service reform in the 1900s changed this poor practice. Under the GS pay system, federal workers know what is expected of them and the rules are fair and equitable. It doesn't matter what political party you belong to, what race you are, what your age is, or what your sex is. Why would we--the American people--want to ruin an effective system that has worked for federal employees and change it with something more closely resembling the old patronage system? Is it true that we don't learn from our mistakes (history)? Too much power in too few hands is a recipe for disaster. Pay-for-performance, pay banding, and few (if any) appeal rights will create a civil service system that rewards staff who do whatever their boss tells them (even if it is wrong or not in the tax payers best interest). For example, say employee A does all his work on time, has good people skills, and genuinely is an outstanding employee. Employee B doesn't do his work, is often late, and abuses sick leave. However, employee B takes care of his boss by fixing his car, buying him lunch, and telling upper management how wonderful he is. Employee B gets a huge raise even though it is a fleecing of the American tax payer. Why on earth would we want to even consider a federal civil service system organized like this? There is already pay-for-performance in the current system with items such as Quality Step Increases (QSIs) and cash awards. In addition, if a staff member isn't performing well now they don't receive step increases. In closing, why wreck a system that has proven to work well for the American people and the American tax payer? I strongly recommend that you reevaluate efforts to tear apart a wonderful system and replace it with something that moves us backwards rather than forwards. Sincerely,