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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsI am a federal bureaucrat. A professional government employee. And guess what? I’m damn proud of it.
I am a federal bureaucrat. A professional government employee. And guess what? Im damn proud of it....................
Like many federal workers, I have sacrificed: a high-paying job in the private sector; a year of my life (and the first six months of my daughters life) spent in Iraq; long hours; high stress; pay freezes. Im not complaining; in fact, I quite enjoy my career and my life in the Foreign Service. Yet when I hear our politicians talking about fixing Washington, I often wonder to myself: whom would they like to fix? Is it the guy I see on the Metro every day, heading to work at the Food and Drug Administration to ensure that our food is safe? Is it the woman going into Commerce Department headquarters to support U.S. companies abroad? Or do they mean the thousands of people who support our troops overseas? How about my fellow Foreign Service officers, who put themselves in harms way in Baghdad, Kabul, Damascus and hundreds of other places around the world?
I have no doubt that some within the federal bureaucracy simply show up each day to collect a paycheck. I also have no doubt that this happens within any number of multinational corporations, small businesses and law firms. But I know for a fact that most of us do this job not because we want to make a lot of money but because, simply put, we want to serve our country.
There was a time, not long ago, when government service was seen as a higher calling. Thats the reason I decided to join the State Department in 2005 not because I wanted job security or good health benefits, but because I wanted to devote my life to making this country stronger, to making the world a better, safer place and to have a career I was proud of. Seven years later, I still get excited to come to work every morning. I still get a thrill when I enter the State Department and see the flags of every nation with which we have diplomatic relations. And I certainly get chills each and every time I see the U.S. flag on one of our embassies. Im fairly sure I am not the only federal employee who feels this way.
So to all our politicians, I implore you: Stop using the government workforce as a political football. Just stop. It demeans you, it demoralizes us, and it is counterproductive to drive away the best and brightest from working for the betterment of this country.
.....................................
the rest:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/i-work-for-uncle-sam-and-im-proud-of-it/2012/02/14/gIQAVDcdcR_story.html
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I am a federal bureaucrat. A professional government employee. And guess what? I’m damn proud of it. (Original Post)
kpete
Feb 2012
OP
That's wonderful!! She is doing amazing work! She's a phenomenal woman!
Liberal_Stalwart71
Feb 2012
#4
Damn right you should be proud. We don't listen to the republicans. We are greatful to
southernyankeebelle
Feb 2012
#2
I am, too! With two Masters Degrees and a Doctorate. I also teach college part-time. I am somewhat
Liberal_Stalwart71
Feb 2012
#3
cbayer
(146,218 posts)1. So is my daughter, and I am really proud of her.
She is coordinating TB detection and treatment in Kenya.
When I visited the compound where the CDC and it's Kenyan equivalent work together, I was bursting with pride - both in her and in all her colleagues.
Liberal_Stalwart71
(20,450 posts)4. That's wonderful!! She is doing amazing work! She's a phenomenal woman!
cbayer
(146,218 posts)5. Thanks! She is indeed.
southernyankeebelle
(11,304 posts)2. Damn right you should be proud. We don't listen to the republicans. We are greatful to
have the federal,state and local employees.
Liberal_Stalwart71
(20,450 posts)3. I am, too! With two Masters Degrees and a Doctorate. I also teach college part-time. I am somewhat
angry with Obama for using us as a political pawn. We know what the Republicans are doing. They HATE us. The problem is that if Obama and the Democrats don't stand and fight for us, then we're screwed. Contrary to widespread belief. We work hard!!
jwirr
(39,215 posts)6. I am a recipient of government aid and if you are doing your job well then there is not reason you
should not be proud of it. Without government we would be Somalia right now.