[grobdriver]

We are not a drain on the national economy

Yes, you are - every time you get a paycheck.

[cripplecreek]

We are not a drain on the national economy

Even those who are truly essential are a drain on the economy. Its not an attack, its a basic law of economic physics.

[C. Edmund Wright]

I’ve noticed none of the (few) gubmint workers on FR are not around lately.....

[Night Hides Not]

Yes, you are - every time you get a paycheck.

IMHO, there's one agency out there that's doing it right: the FDIC. When the bank crisis hit 4-5 years ago, they hired 1500-2000 employees (I could be wrong on the numbers), all as terms, i.e. two year contracts, with the FDIC option for two additional years.

I am one of those, and I can honestly say I've paid for my salary many times over. One example: two years ago, I was asked to do a quick forensic analysis of a borrower's tax returns in preparation for a settlement conference. Their original offer was about 40% of a property originally appraised at $40 million.

After reviewing the tax returns (I have 30+ years of tax return experience), I prepared a list of questions for my supervisor to ask, and they proved to be "uncomfortable."

Shortly after, the next offer came in above $25 million, or nearly $10 million above the first.

The federal government would be wise to follow the FDIC example: a smaller, permanent, cadre staff, hiring term workers to fill in the gaps as needed.