Make America incompetent again? Trump wants to ruin our merit-based federal jobs system.

[riversedge]

Well worth a read of the full article.


Make America incompetent again? Trump wants to ruin our merit-based federal jobs system.
Trump wants to bring back a corrupt system of political patronage. Congress and Joe Biden must undo this attack on the capability of our government.


https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2020/11/29/trump-plan-gut-civil-service-bring-back-incompetence-column/6347462002/


Max Stier Opinion contributor

Federal agencies across the government are quietly moving ahead with an 11th hour plan to fill vacant, nonpartisan career jobs with political appointees as well as fire and replace civil servants with individuals loyal to President Donald Trump.

With only two months to go before President-elect Joe Biden takes office, agencies are rushing to implement an executive order that would undermine the merit-based, nonpartisan civil service system, eviscerate employee due process rights and replace professionals with partisans.

Although the Oct. 21 executive order has brought congressional scrutiny and legal challenges, and would most likely be rescinded by Biden, Trump administration appointees are hoping to place as many allies as possible into key government positions as they head for the exits.
Loyalty would replace competence

While the conversion of political appointees to career positions, often referred to as “burrowing,” has long been a concern during presidential transitions, such conversions have been rare and ordinarily undergo a rigorous review process. ..................

[kurtcagle]

1. Two questions to ask appointees

When were you appointed?
Who was your predecessor?

Most political appointees will end up being replaced by Biden as a matter of course. I think as a new cabinet official is appointed head of a department, the FIRST thing they do is find out who the plants and force them to go through a reinterview process. Unfortunately, it's just one more headache that Trump is leaving behind.

[CanonRay]

2. I've always maintained our civil service is what keeps us from being a 3rd world country

You don't have to bribe someone to process your Social Security or VA claim. There are far too many political appointees in government already. When I started in government in 1973 there were probably less than a half dozen in any given agency. Now there are thousands.