NIH Scientist Says He's Paid To Do Nothing

Washington Post ^ | 4 July 2003 | Tania Branigan

[CodeWeasel]

Every weekday at 6.30 a.m., Edward McSweegan climbs into his Volkswagen Passat for the hour-long commute to the National Institutes of Health. He has an office in Bethesda, a job title -- health scientist administrator -- and an annual salary of about $100,000.

What McSweegan says he does not have -- and has not had for the last seven years -- is any real work. He was hired by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in 1988, but says his bosses transferred the research grants he administered to other workers eight years later, leaving him with occasional tasks more suitable for a typist or "gofer."

Complete article here.

[CodeWeasel]

Garbage like this is why we have a budget deficit; tax cuts are just a liberal scapegoat.

[evad]

"It's not my idea," said McSweegan, 47. "I have pointed it out repeatedly over the years. I suppose they are just waiting for me to get bored and frustrated and quit...

This story just doesn't pass the smell test.

[gunnedah]

Government waste,fraud and abuse is more directly responsible for the debt than anything one can name.
All those tax and spend idiots in Congress are directly responsible and it is time to take a stand.
They use pork barrel ammendments to pay back their donors,families and friends.
All of Congress should be arrested and tried for fraud and abuse of their positions.They scratch each others backs while dividing us.If the rest of the country were of one accord like the Republicans and Democrats when it comes to taking care of themselves America would have few problems.
I said ALL! That is the only way to ever stop it.
All of you older people need to get ready for the Democrat spiel over Social Security and Medicare in the up coming election while they all get their big raises and perks.

[aristeides]

This story just doesn't pass the smell test.

Why not? As a government bureaucrat, I find the story quite believable. Care to tell us what you think is really going on here?

[Tijeras_Slim]

This guy has accepted a paycheck for 7 years for doing nothing. That says as much about him as the system that allows it to happen. I'd go nuts, no matter what they paid me. (Of course imagine unlimited FR time!)

[bvw]

If it doesn't pass the smell test to you, then it's unlikely you live near a major Federal facility, or have worked with people in such facility. For if you had, you'd know that smell you claim to fail to smell here is pervasive, inescapable, fetid, overpowering and undeniable.

[xrp]

Welfare without food stamps.

[Reeses]

Working for the government he's lost part of his mind and just doesn't care anymore. He's begging to be laid off because he can't rationally walk away from a paycheck, but there's no mechanism to help him out. Let this be a lesson before accepting a government job. The guy found time during his busy day to put up a home page: www.qis.net/~edwardmc/

[veronica]

He appears to have much in common with Rep. Patrick Kennedy.

[Reeses]

As a government bureaucrat, I find the story quite believable

I'm curious: do you vote for Democrats being that it's in your financial interest? I'm convinced getting a government job is the best deal around but I'm not sure it's such a good idea. Most government workers end up voting for Democrats. I just can't do it.

[evad]

For if you had, you'd know that smell you claim to fail to smell here is pervasive, inescapable, fetid, overpowering and undeniable.

Wow..that's very good...I think.

No, the smell that I can't rectify is that this guy would rat himself out and throw away a 100 grand a year freebie.

If we were just talking about government officials who are highly paid with no meaningful job to do, then I am sure there are plenty of those.

Oh, bye the bye, in my job I have witnessed plenty of those people.

[Fresh Wind]

Incompetent or lazy Federal workers and managers that demonstrate an unwillingness or inability to do their jobs are simply given no meaningful work to do. That way, they don't screw anything up, and they don't interfere with those who actually do their jobs (and, yes, there really are some of those). It is so difficult to discipline or fire a Federal worker (especially one who is from one of those "protected" groups), managers just give up. The money that is paid to these people is considered part of the "overhead". Such people are useful, though, and are often tapped for important jobs like collecting donations for retirement gifts, and organizing luncheons.

[The Great RJ]

Unlimited government waste is not confinded to this instance. My brother-in-law is getting a $23,000 check from the feds along with all the other homeowners in the small northern Minnesota town where he lives. The money is to be used to "fix-up" the exterior of their homes. Where was this program when I shelled out a couple of grand to have my house painted?

[raybbr]

I kind of agree with you. I can't for the life of me figure out why this guy would tell on himself. Unless, of course, he has socked away plenty of his pay and is ready to move on to a more challenging job, or, he wants to spend more time with his family.

[ml/nj]

I know we must supply links to Washington Post stories here on FR because of their successful copyright claim. But are we obligated to supply links to their main news page with all the advertisements and pop-ups when alternatives exist? This link which the Post identifies as "Printer Friendy" contains the same story, but without the annoying extras. I wish people would start using such links whenever they are available.

ML/NJ

[bvw]

Ditto, but even worse are the Federal Sinecure holders who *think* they are proper in claiming the taxpayer's dolloars for doing whatever fancy flits into current fad -- for example diversity training, seminars, running the "Federal Employee ONLY" fitness center, or day care center, attending seminaras and meetings on subjects such as "How to Make Our Facility the Best Workplace Possible". And far far worse than that can be the Federal Sinecure Holders teaming up and developing programs that harrass, overregulate, and demean the taxpaying citizens. Such as forcing toilets that don't flush and showers that are flaccid on us, or running ponzi schemes such as Social Security and Medicaid, or helping people who really already have plenty of access to easy money get Federal Grants and Loans to export jobs and plants overseas so that people -- othere hard-working citizens -- who really need the money and jobs may have less.

If this man's tale is the straw that breaks the camel's back of the false value and honor in Federal Sinecures, why then he has more than earned every taxpayer's nickel and dime that he has been paid for seven idle years.

[evad]

The smell that I can't rectify is that this guy would rat himself out and throw away a 100 grand a year freebie.

If we were just talking about government officials who are highly paid with no meaningful job to do, then I am sure there are plenty of those.

[sandydipper]

What about the ATF, CBI, BLM, DEF, EDS, TRA, OPP, FBI, NEA, DEA, HFF, HEW, HUD, NSB, NEF, BSO, RAA, NAA, TIB, etc, etc, etc - and the National Bee Inspectors. None of which make less than $65,000.00.

[bvw]

See post above. Also consider the ancient role of a Lighthouse Keeepr. Not a job that took much "work" at all, yet it was a necessity to have and pay someone that could handle it.

[rabidralph]

this is why the guy is speaking out:
SNIP

'McSweegan used to be NIH's program officer for Lyme disease but was removed from the post in June 1995 after a dispute over his repeated criticism of a politically influential support group for sufferers and his allegations that NIH had been too accommodating of the group. He had publicly described the Lyme Disease Foundation as "wacko" because he disagreed with its theories about the disease. The dispute led to his suspension without pay for two weeks for insubordination and conduct unbecoming of a federal employee.

In spring 1996, his responsibilities for an unrelated program were also removed. He maintains they have never been replaced.

In an interview Monday, Grassley accused NIH of "an absolute management vacuum" and said it is "ludicrous" that the administrator is being paid to do nothing.'