Ask just about anybody who covers (or is in) the federal service how things are and many will tell you it’s never been worse. Annual surveys by good- government groups all report the same thing: Morale is at an all-time low. Even lower than was shown in the previous year’s survey.

For some, the question is how low can it (morale) go? For others, the question is, really? Are things really that bad and getting worse each year? Is fed-bashing, by politicians and the media, worse than it’s ever been? Or, when you back off and look around, are things — like working conditions, job security, pay and benefits — not so bad? Maybe, compared to the rest of the country (Wall Street/Hollywood Fat Cats exempted) life in government is pretty good.

Last week my colleague Tom Temin wrote a column about the state of mind of (at least some, maybe many) government workers. It started out like this:

“Fed-bashing might headline a lot of articles and interviews, but I question whether fed-basing exists as a palpable phenomenon. Or whether it’s loud or prominent enough to justify hang-dog morale on the part of federal employees.”

Then the fur hit the fan.

Many readers responded. Most said, to cut to the chase, that Tom was flat-out wrong. That feds have long been under attack, that it does seem to be getting worse, and that people in the private sector just don’t understand what it’s like to be a political (deflated or not) football.

So guess who’s our lead-off guest today (10 a.m) on our Your Turn radio show? Answer: Tom Temin. He’ll step away from his a.m. Federal Drive duties to talk with us about his last two thought- provoking columns. One about the assaults (real or perceived) on feds and the other about job security. Federal Times senior writer Andy Medici will also be on the show to bring us up to speed about what feds and retirees can expect after the Memorial Day congressional break. Listen if you can. If you have questions or comments you can call us at (202) 465-3080 during the show, or email me before the show at mcausey@federalnewsradio.com.

NEARLY USELESS FACTOID

By Dena Levitz

Tom Brady’s endorsement deals in 2014 alone earned the New England quarterback $7 million.

Source: Wikipedia

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