To: TimF who wrote (12688 ) 5/10/2002 8:45:52 PM From: Solon Read Replies (2) | Respond to of 21057 "So far no major Pentagon leader (military or civilian) has been disciplined because of this, or as far as I know even investigated. " Do you think they will turn out to be as unproductive/inefficient/crooked as Enron? I don't see why not."And if you spend more time doing one thing the net result is the total of what is being done is lower " Unless the "benefit" is fully arrived at there is NO productivity--zero, zilch, nada. A certain amount of time is required to realize the "benefit". Going to another task before one has arrived at the "benefit" is unproductive and also quite stupid in most cases. Of course, it is justified to leave your corn in the pan and turn off the burner if you have to take your spouse to bed for some reason."I was entirely serious and intended no disrespect either to you or to public center " I said it sounded flippant to me--right?? Can you accept that? I see a difference between your original statement that public EMPLOYEES were less productive than private sector employees, and your subsequent statements on the matter. Can you accept that I consider your statement that employees are less productive, means (to you) that they are less productive?? I can accept that you meant no disrespect by it, if you insist on the truth of this. It does not mean I am not puzzled by your choice to speak of employee productivity rather than agency productivity, if you felt that public employees were decent and dedicated people? It is not like you could be unaware of the idiotic insults that are often directed at people just because they are part of "Government". It is not like you are not thoughtful enough or tactful enough to consider the feelings of people who work for the public service and sit down to read a thread that states: "I CAN . People who work for the public service are less productive than workers in the private sector." Anyway, you are wrong. Productivity can be improved and advanced, but there is just as much room for improvement in the private sector. Much of the private sector doesn't even go to work. That is why they sit here posting all day long. But this is simply the tip of the iceberg... "the motivation for them is political not economic supply and demand. " You miss it entirely. No wonder we argue. MONEY is not the value which feeds supply and demand. MONEY is a MEASUREMENT. Do you know what "value" and "benefit" mean apart from money, Tim?? Maybe you ought to take a break...