There are many times in the news biz, especially in the fast-fading glory of being a Washington-based columnist, when the readers outshine the writer. They take a thought, proposal or concept and either expand it, make it better, debunk it, or otherwise fill-in-the-blanks. Like yesterday.

The subject of the column was politics. Specifically, the politics of active and retired federal workers. People who have dual nationality: They work for the government but they also, as taxpayers, help pay for it. They see, from the inside, what most of us outsiders can only speculate about.

For a long-time now, the general consensus — among the public and national politicians — seems to be that most federal-postal workers are Democrats. Those who weren’t overtly so were assumed, by many, to be in the political closet.

We tackled the subject this week both here in the column and on Wednesday’s Your Turn radio show. Interesting stuff whether you are a long- time fed, a brand new employee or just an outsider wondering what makes Uncle Sam tick.

A number of feds contacted us to say that they are political free-thinkers. They vote the man (or woman) not the party. Many had good things to say about Democrats. Many had good things to say about Republicans. Most decried (I’ve always wanted to use that word!) the political gridlock and back-biting in Washington. The furloughs, the shutdowns, the penny pinching (with feds as the coin of the realm) from politicians who — after creating a problem — flew off on expensive junkets or state visits while feds still allowed to work remained behind on the job. But back to business …

The point, my point (if I have one) is that despite what those of us on the outside observe and think about government, most of us really don’t have a clue how it works at various levels. That includes everything from whistleblowing (after all we don’t do such a good job in the media when it comes to the media) to favoritism and coverups.

When people call or email me, I try to respond ASAP. When people post something in the “comments” section I check them out. But my feeling is that is meant for everybody, not me, and it would be unfair — plus time consuming — to get into a dialogue. But Friday is one of those exceptions. The comments — about the political leanings of feds — are too good not to share. Do me, and maybe yourself, a favor. Checkout the column, then go to the “comments” and see what real feds say about real feds have to say about the issue. Enlightening for sure. Thanks!

NEARLY USELESS FACTOID

By Michael O’Connell

Remington-Rand developed the first high-speed printer in 1953. It was used for the Univac computer.

Source: Inventors

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