|
Dear Mr. Businessmen,
Today I read an opinion piece where you stated that government employees "provide nothing" and have "no skills"; therefore, you have no reason to pay their salaries, let alone their retirements. You see, I get it that you, as a businessman think that if you do not provide a good or a service that it somehow disqualifies a person as a bonafide member of society. I know that this concept is hard for you grasp, but there are some endeavors that, no matter how much this dismays you, are not profitable. As a civil servant, I thought I would clear the air a bit, just so you understand.
First of all, let's clear the air. I demand a higher salary because, chances are, I am smarter than you and better educated. Now, I am not saying this to diminish you, it is simply a fact. The latest statistics show that 50% of civil servants have at least a bachelor’s degree and 30% of them have a master’s degree. In general, about 14% of Americans have a college degree. Now, I am sure you can understand that elite athletes demand higher salaries because they can do things other people are not physically capable of doing. You understand that very beautiful people might get paid more too as actors or models, yes? Well, as much as you do not like to admit it, it goes for folks that more intelligent than the average person as well.
You say we have no skills? Really sir, what silliness abounds. Do you really believe that? You are so wrong.
If you are a farmer, chances are we built the damn and maintain the reservoir you used to irrigate your crops. Without us, you can try growing dry land beans for a living.
If you drive a truck, we built your interstate, your bridges, and we keep the snow clear. We keep it safe from poor drivers so you can safely haul your load and collect your paycheck and go home and play with your children.
If you make a product, we keep the rivers dredge for you to barge your goods, we provide the mail service for you to send your bills and invoices, and we keep the airports safe that you use to ship your product.
Chances are that the oil you use in your vehicle was drilled on federal lands, or if not, was cleared in a federal port. Do you really think you could AFFORD fuel if a private company ran the ports or held the mineral leases for much of our gas and oil?
Speaking of gas, we let the private guys get it off of OUR land. We do the studies and provide the protection to make sure it they do not pollute your water while they extract it. We built the pipelines too, because the private industries thought building such infrastructure was too “cost prohibitive”.
Finally sir, to be blunt, the only reason you exist, is because young men and women have been willing to pay for your freedom with their own bodies and blood. They keep you safe, and we keep THEM safe! We provide them medical services for their families. We provide the engineering support they need to keep them going in foreign lands. We educate their children.
Ah yes education! You get angry because you have to pay for teachers, children’s lunches, and God forbid, their health care. Do you really think you live in a vacuum? Sir the chances are that your doctor was educated in a public school, the engineer who designed your car was educated in a public school, and the architect who designed your shopping center was educated in a public school. Despite the beating our schools take, they do a fine job of educating our youth. They provide our youth with a good general education.
However, where they really shine is in our college and universities. It is there that we really shine. Our public colleges produce brilliant doctors, lawyers, and scientists. The guys who are making the new drugs, the new engines, and the new textiles were probably educated in a public university. You think you do not benefit from that? Seriously sir, do you assume to live in a bubble?
In closing, I am sorry you do not like to pay for the services that you receive from your public servant. However, I am sure that, as a businessman, you realize that goods and services come at a cost. You sir, live in this society, and you sir, are asked to pay for those things that you so much enjoy. I am sure that as you go forth in your self-absorbed profit driven endeavors, you will stop and thank your Utilitarian brothers without whom, you could not operate.
In closing, that you for your payments. An honest day’s work is certainly worth an honest day’s pay, and like you, we do not like providing services for free.
Sincerely,
Your Public Servant.
|
Printer-friendly format
Email this thread to a friend
Bookmark this thread
(482 posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
