| Comment Number: | OL-10509395 |
| Received: | 3/15/2005 3:03:04 PM |
| 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:
As a Federal employee with 26 years service, I must comment on the proposed new personnel system. However, your request that employees cite specific subparts, headings, sections, pages, etc. presupposes that we agree that there is a need for a new system, and that there is something inherently wrong with the "old" system. I do not agree we need a new system. Those who forget history are condemned to repeat it; i.e., why was CSRS implemented in the first place? It was implemented in order to combat nepotism, favoritism and crass subjectivity in the Federal service. So why do we need a "new" system that will take us back to that place? The answer is, we don't. The tragedy of 9-11 is being used to ram NSPS down everyone's throat under the guise of "national security." CSRS got us through WWII, Korea, Vietnam, the Cold War, Grenada, Panama, Bosnia, Libya and Desert Storm, and it is getting us through Afghanistan and the latest venture in Iraq. I have personally witnessed great, incredible, "over and above" work being done by all sorts of dedicated CSRS employees who ask for nothing in return but an honest paycheck and fair treatment in the workplace. All of a sudden, it's not good enough? Give me a break. NSPS will do nothing to solve the real problem in the DOD civilian workforce: poor management. Workers will do amazing things when they feel that management is on their side, sets clear and attainable goals, understands their concerns, and gives them room to innovate, and then gets out of the way so people can do their job. The current administration is just continuing the "bash the Federal worker" syndrome that started with Ronald Reagan, except this time they've stooped to a new low by using 9-11 as a cover to push through a "fix" for a problem that doesn't exist. In summary, to paraphrase an old country song, take NSPS and shove it.