Forest Service Outraged by Loss of Jobs

[katusha]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20031115/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/forest_service_jobs&cid=542&ncid=716

WASHINGTON - Dozens of Forest Service employees in Utah and Montana were told last March they would be among the first victims of the Bush administration decision to bid out work by government employees to private contractors, who could do it cheaper.

A required analysis three months later showed it's going to cost the government $425,000 a year more for the same work that was being done by the 41 members of the Forest Service's Content Analysis Team in Salt Lake City and in Missoula, Mont.
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wow! another brilliant move by the bush administration. at least hoover did nothing while the economy tanked, bush seems to be egging another depression on so he can highlight his "leadership" skills.

[Old and In the Way]

1. And why would we think that the private contractor will have

our best interests at heart? He's obviously going to maximize his profit potential....which means looking the other way when developers are abusing their permits, shorting the workforce and analysis, etc.

This stinks on so many levels. The national destruction on the federal government is breathtaking...virtually no area of this has been spared. The assault on America continues.

A question for the Republican lurkers here.....when we've sapped the vitality out of this country; when we've shrunk government to the size when we can drown it in a bathtub; when we turn this country into a banana republic that will make us a 2nd/3rd world country....will you still be taking credit for the ruination?

[LiviaOlivia]

2. Well said

eom

[Hubert Flottz]

7. If Bush manages to win in 04, the party is over!

A nationwide right to work law will be stampeded through congress as quick as Bush finishes swearing to treat us all right again, with his hand on that Bible he reads every day! The unions will be history if Bush wins!

Speaking of history, didn't Hitler run all the unions out of business in Germany the 1930s? Oh well, just another parallel here in parallel hell!

[Judi Lynn]

3. This is so discouraging, isn't it?

Can only hope that these pathetic measures to put the _Bush grubby handprint on every aspect of American life and endeavor will be corrected some day.

From the article:

Worried that the $24 million was being taken out of other Forest Service programs, some lawmakers threatened to cut off all money for the studies. When the White House countered with a veto threat, Congress put strict caps on the privatization effort. Next year, the Forest Service can spend only $5 million for privatizing studies. The Interior Department is limited to $2.5 million, and the Energy Department to $500,000.

"We had to slap them around for that a bit," said Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D. "They were out wasting the taxpayers' money doing these studies they shouldn't have been doing."

Thomas Mills, deputy chief for business operations at the Forest Service, defends the studies and the decision to privatize Vester's team.

He said competitive sourcing will save the Forest Service $6.1 million a year, meaning the initiative will pay for itself in four years. And it has dispelled the myth of government inefficiency while forcing managers to run a tighter ship.

[hang a left]

8. I wonder where Mr. Mills next job will be? Hmmmmmmmmmmm.

[JeebusH]

4. Dozens of Forest Service employees in Utah and Montana ...

bet most voted for Bush too

[0rganism]

5. no kidding

Sad as it may be, a lot of these guys are getting exactly what they voted for.

[4dsc]

11. And they will still vote for bush

next time too.. Repug's just don't get it..

[eileen_d]

13. I don't know about that bet

An alternative view from the field: http://www.fseee.org/ (Forest Service Employees for Environmental Ethics)

Sure, Utah and Montana are red states, but Republicans have been threatening national forests and the jobs associated with them for years. Would you vote for a party who has been working explicitly to eliminate your job, whether via outsourcing or funding cuts? There are many more constituencies more likely to be Republicans than folks in the Forest Service - e.g. farmers and ranchers.

[Malva Zebrina]

6. the White Mountain National Forest has been privatized

for the past three years--I am not sure if it was before under Clinton, but I do not remember it being so, at least the campgrounds are. Also, persons parking anywhere--in the lots for instance that lead to the hiking trails and on the lots that provide views need to buy a permit. All checks are made out to the corporation, which is something or other "sport" can't remember the name. I am certain that the prices of the campgrounds will go up without the benefit of anything being added for the camper-the bulletin boards were loaded with garish red, white and blue signs that clashed with usual subdued looking kiosks. Next we might see Pepse and Coke machines on the many hiking trails in the forest.

[Mountainman]

10. Get ready for a Mc Lodge, Big Mac's in the woods. n/t

[The Backlash Cometh]

9. Bush lied, again.

This is an election issue. The Democrats should be showing by dollars and cents that claims that privatization is cheaper, are false. The park forest service is only one of many, many examples. Show the people how much privatization is costing them and tell the people the truth: The Republicans LIED!

[pretzel4gore]

15. lies? you should hear the attacks on canada's healthcare system!

which cost vastly less while serving everyone regardless of situ compared to the US which generates 10 times the paperwork per contact, in triplicate....
illogic should be the republicrat's Achiles Heel, but it's their meal ticket!

[Snellius]

12. But everyone knows union government employees are Ds

Besides they don't contribute to the Republican coffers like private contractors do. So they win double.

[goforit]

14. Does anyone care anymore? Planet will be nothing but tar and cement

So sad!!!

[pretzel4gore]

16. goforit needs a hug kids!

;-)

[glitch]

17. Halliburton is the private contractor

This year I was driving through the N. CA Redwoods and there was a forest fire. I saw tons of big red trucks all over with Halliburton on the side.

[bleedingheart]

18. The Red States are now going to Bleed more Red

can't feel sorry for them at all....