I hope the press and opinion pages don't let this one slide

[La_Serpiente]

Bush has been deciding whether to get rid of the 21 federal employees at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda. He told them that if they don't do a better job, he is going to outsource their jobs to the private sector.

However, I wonder if Bush realizes this, but all of them are mentally retarded and/or disabled. I am not saying that they are bad or anything, but they deserve to have jobs and be accepted in mainstream society as much as possible.

Here is the link.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A21575-2003Oct13.html

[JasonBerry]

1. Seems so basic, doesn't it?

Thanks for posting this. I think the part of the Post article that seems so basic is this:

Jerry Leener, whose son Mike, 27, has worked at the hospital for eight years, said that even a White House focused on the bottom line should realize there is little to be gained by contracting out the work. Displaced employees would turn to government entitlement programs, including federal disability payments, Medicaid and food stamps.

"If our kids lose their jobs, the federal government is still going to have to compensate them," Leener said. "Either way, it's going to be coming out of federal funds. So we haven't had a cost saving as it relates to these kids. What's more, we've displaced them from their passion. They love working here. They love being a part of this."

It doesn't take an economics degree to know that it's a better to pay them for working, than pay them in benefits if they're fired. And you are right, they have every right to a job. The lady even said in the article that, "Job performance isn't an issue." Everything cannot come down to the bottom-line.

[Cronus Protagonist]

3. So they'll just be rehired by Bechtel

That's all. No big deal. Then they'll have to pay for their own health insurance and accept a pay cut... Cheap Labor Conservatives. Remember the cheap labor angle and your perception will never be far from the truth.

Click Here To See Fair & Balanced Buttons, Stickers & Magnets

[izzie]

5. But you forgot how the "business' will milk the Navy

The business will be costing us a lot more than these people, in the end even if the workers get less pay. Mark my words and re-do this study in 2 years.Bush and Co is draining the taxes out of our gov to give to the rich. He had better watch it as there will be no money for the arms and army.Profits from war can only go so far.

[PennyLane]

2. Another Example

This is just another example of Bush's blind-sided thinking. I'm
sure the intention was all well and good. "Let's contract out some
jobs"! But once again, his cronies did not take into consideration
the impact it would have on the special interest groups. Just like
the debacle in Iraq. No body in his posse has any intuition, or they
would nip these problems in the bud. Why doesn't someone tell him
ahead of time, that these are bad ideas? Makes me wonder if someone
on his team likes to see him make a fool out of himself. Don't know
who they are, but it may be safe to assume they are a donkey in elephant's clothing!!!:crazy:

[Cronus Protagonist]

4. So it was a Democrat's decision/fault?

I don't like your way of thinking here. But what do I know? I never even watch cable news.