Name:   Talullahhound - Subject:   MM's wish list Date:   1/8/2018 11:11:13 PM

I guess I don't understand why you consider their "total compensation" ridicuously out of whack.  Are you aware that the "old" retirement system was replaced in the 1980s by a new system that isn't anywhere near as generous as the old system.  We all had a chance to chnage over at that time, but I stayed with the old system, because it made sense at that point in my career.  I don't know how you can judge that they are overpaid.  Yes, after 15 years, they get 26 days of vacation a year, but the sad truth is that most people don't use it all.  The sick leave is 8 hours per month, and yes, they can accumulate it, but in the government and you get sick, you get charged for every hour that you are out.  There is no "grace" when you run out and you don't get paid  They can take a disability retirement if it is something long term, but it is not very generous at all.  It's not the great deal you seem to think it is, and given the budget issues with Congress not wanting to fund the govenrment for more than 6 weeks at a time.  I would not encourage a young person to pursue the government as a career anymore.  I have no problem with Trumps plans to reduce the size of the workforce, but I'd like to see it done in an orderly manner and not on Congressional whim and inability to pass a budget.