We have a few friends and acquaintances who are government workers.
Too many of them tell us of the boredom on the job, of the lack of ambition by fellow workers. We also drive by state and county road construction workers and more often than not, observe more than a few of those in the bright orange vests standing idly by, chatting away.
That is not to imply that all government workers are lazy. We know a fair share that put in many hours and their heart and soul into their jobs.
But ask yourself: Do you believe landing a state job, say, in Olympia, means you have hit pay dirt as far as finding a cushy job with great benefits and pay, better than in the private sector?
The best jokes have a kernel of truth in them. Take the following:
A state worker finds a small metal lamp one day while cleaning out his work desk. He rubs it and POOF! out comes a genie. The worker is given three wishes. A bit shocked, he wishes for a cold beer, POOF! which he then drinks. His mind a bit settled, he then wishes to be stranded on an island with hundreds of beautiful women. POOF! again. With his final wish, he asks never to work again. POOF! He’s back at his government office.
Our point is that despite the groanings of labor unions, education advocates, health insurance lobbyists and environmentalists, our state and county governments have room to tighten.
It is no surprise that those just mentioned are in high gear fighting against Initiative 1033, which will be on the ballot this coming November general election.
I-1033 would cap the growth of state, county and city government, similar to Initiative 601 which was passed back in 1993 but watered down by amendment after amendment. If I-1033 passes, it would reduce state revenues by $5.9 billion, $2.1 billion in lowered revenues for cities, and another $694 million for counties from 2010 to 2015.
We have seen our state, county and cities already get hit hard by lost revenues during this deep recession. Yet for the average person, we have not experienced a dramatic drop in services. Roads are still being repaired, our schools are open and vibrant.
If you think government doesn’t need such restraint as would be imposed by I-1033, open your paycheck and look at the taxes being pulled out. Think of your property tax bill. Don’t forget the ever-present sales tax.
The state’s Republicans aren’t buying the doom and gloom being predicted by opponents of I-1033. At its quarterly state committee meeting late last month the Washington State Republican Party’s full state committee with representatives from all 39 counties voted unanimously to endorse I-1033.
The time for government spending limits is upon us.
Steve Bell
Having worked closely with WSDOT, I can tell you that some of these people are private contracts, not state employees. And sometimes the "idleness and standing around" is because they are waiting for the asphalt, quarry spalls, gravels or some other key element to arrive so they can spread, compact, roll or oil it. Sometimes these can come from sources far away. In reality, it is often the nature of the job to work like heck for a short while and then wait for the next truck. It's just the way logistics work out sometimes. Cutting crews will not make repairs or new construction happen faster with less people.
randydutton
Why do some road crews have a second barricade vehicle to protect a first barricade vehicle to protect workers on a sidewalk not using the street?Why do some projects use electronic stop signs white other use people to hold signs?When I asked two separate road sign holders, when gas was $4 a gallon, why their vehicles were running all day, one said "because we're allowed to listen to the radio", the other said "to run the flashing yellow light". When I returned, the road supervisor yelled at me because I had asked a question.
randydutton
Having worked in city and federal gov't I can tell you the people are good, but the motivation to work fast and smart IS NOT. Nothing but the profit motive brings out the most efficient processes. State government is twice as big as is necessary.Road construction is a good example where a crash barrier vehicle protects another crash barrier vehicle that protects worker fixing a side walk who aren't even on the street. How about multiple sign holders on one job, and electronic sign boards on another. One remotely stops and starts vehicle lines, and many can be monitored from a single location. I once questioned sign holders why they let the work truck idle all day, the answers "to listen to the radio" and "to operate the yellow light". Next time I passed, the road supervisor said I was rude by asking the worker a question.
Sam Spade PI
Roads are being repaired and schools are vibrant because of the hard work of people who make this area home.If a policeman sits in his car, does that mean he is not needed? If a fireman sits in the fire hall, does that mean he is not needed? If people sit in City Hall or the Courthouse, why does that automatically mean they are not needed?Save money by combining the city halls of Chehalis, Centralia and Olympia in Olympa. Save money by combining Lewis and Thurston County by moving Lewis County offices to Olympia.If people here hate government so much, get rid of it. Move Greenhill and all other state offices out of Lewis County.That way, there will be less government to criticize.By the way, there will be less jobs, less money for small businesses, less advertisement income and less newspapers delivered.Hmmmmm, on second thought.Maybe we should figure out how to get more government jobs here.