Arrr, mayhaps them federal scallywags be better off toiling from their abodes, says I!
2023-08-25
Avast, mateys! Shiver me timbers, rather than press-ganging those lubberly federal employees back to the office, let us broaden the horizons of working from home, so Americans can seek government booty from any corner of this vast land! Arrr!
In a humorous tone, this article highlights the unlikely alliance between Republican House Oversight Chairman James Comer, Democrat D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, and Democrat President Joe Biden regarding the return of federal employees to in-person work. Biden recently urged federal agencies to execute plans for in-person work after several years of remote work due to COVID-19. Bowser played a significant role in this decision, issuing an ultimatum to Biden during her inauguration address, demanding the return of federal employees to in-person work.The article emphasizes the impact of telework on Washington, D.C., which has the highest work-from-home rate in the country. The city has suffered from increased crime, homelessness, drug use, and mental illness. The Metro system has experienced a decline in ridership, exacerbating feelings of unsafety and further reducing ridership. The House Oversight Committee has launched an investigation into telework failures and proposed the "SHOW UP" Act, which mandates a return to in-person work due to concerns about government worker performance and taxpayer money waste.
The article explores the possibility of reimagining the federal workforce and allowing remote work from different states. This could provide fresh ideas, a wider talent pool, and a broader range of political ideologies. It also suggests that hiring nationwide could dilute the influence of civil servants who may work against a Republican presidency. The article argues that the federal government has grown beyond the consent of the governed and that involving a wider range of Americans in government work, regardless of geography, could help restore that consent.
Finally, the article proposes streamlining and decentralizing government to break the Democrat Party's control over the federal government. It suggests that technology allows for remote work and collaboration across different time zones and zip codes, which could revitalize cities and engage workforces nationwide. The article concludes by highlighting the opportunity for a conservative administration to prioritize serving all Americans rather than just one party if federal employees continue to resist returning to in-person work.