Comment Number: OL-10509902
Received: 3/15/2005 8:41:55 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:

This letter is to give you my opinion of the proposed National Security Personnel System (NSPS). Contrary to politically biased thought, the rules now governing all personnel in the government are not broken. Though originally established in the 1940’s, these rules have undergone constant refinement, by members of congress. The suggested NSPS makes 60 years of work, by some of the finest minds in our country, moot. NSPS will: 1. Remove from congress the right to say how civil servants are paid. (So Congress won’t be able to tell DOD to match raises with the military) 2. Give the Secretary of Defense dictatorial powers over civil servants. (Dismissible offenses to be decided by the Secretary of Defense? Don’t we already have a lot of those in place, placed by Congress?) 3. Potentially bring a return of political cronyism, along with the other sins of favoritism. (Attitude & professional demeanor are factors in an appraisal.) 4. Undermine the rights of employees heretofore granted by congress. (Union representation at the local level and a fair shake at bargaining before actions are taken) 5. Show no concern for loyalty. (The longevity of an employee has no place in NSPS) NSPS will not: 1. Make the government the “employer of choice”. (If you’re going to get treated worse than in an automobile factory, why work for the government?) 2. Make anyone more efficient. (You already have the best civil service in the world. NSPS doesn’t want to play by the rule of Congress) 3. Make anyone more secure. (Security checks are already in place) 5. Cost less. (The costs of changing the system are high, and future adjustments will be even higher. The government hasn’t yet equaled the pay of the private sector; I suggest you look at what we require contractors to pay under Davis-Bacon)