I've been arguing with John Derbyshire about the kind of future you'll have if you get a government job. He thinks it's a great idea.
I say, it may look like high pay, little work, and a pension and medical benefits that the private sector will never be able to match, but it's really just buying into a promise that will never be followed through on. The tax revolt and the demands of the market will come to bear long before this years freshman civil servants ever see a dime of their lofty retirement packages.
If you want to see the future of the US civil service system, look to Greece. Their largest civil service union has called a strike to protest the Greek government facing reality.
4 comments:
I just converted from contractor to government on Monday, now making 74% more money to do the same job ... at least I can pay off my debt before I join a revolt.
Well in truth, I don't have a problem with you doing that personally, but I have a big problem with the incentives that make it possible.
Despite the perks it does leave bit of a bad taste in my mouth. It feels a bit like - if you can't beat em join em, sadly. I've always wanted to work in the service of my country, while at the same time always being sceptical of the size and scope of government. So, it's an odd situation to be in. My ultra libertarian boyfriend gives me a hard time daily, and asked a good question recently: if congress decided to cut the budget in half would you still be in favor of it if it meant you'd lose your job? I like to think the answer would remain a resounding yes! In the meantime, i'll try to enjoy the fruits of government inefficiency.
That sounds admirable enough for me. There are all sorts of unpalatable things I'd do to keep the lights on and if I had to do them, they'd get done. Like you, I might not like it, but you gotta eat right?
If you are actually doing something then you're probably contributing more than most in government.
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