[Superman]

On another thread, a hero is identified. A gifted athlete who chose to risk, and ultimately forfeit, his life for the country and values that he loved. A true hero to anyone who recognizes the highest in human values. I didn't want to sully that thread with politics, and actually believe and hope I am not doing that here, but I have often wondered why "government worker" is right down there next to "father-raper." Doctors and judges get respect and deference. Teachers SHOULD get all that.

Sure, we all know stories of how a government office took too long, or was handcuffed against doing what made sense. And yes, there are lazy government workers. But my experience in government, and outside government, tells me that government workers are often people who are working toward a social good that they hold dear, and some of them are foregoing more lucrative careers in the private sector. Government workers are not doing their jobs because they pay obscene money. They pay WAY below their private-sector counterparts. Washington State is struggling to keep their workers at 80% of private sector pay for the same positions. Government workers are also not in it for the prestige. They sometimes are a little quiet about their line of work.

So, underpaid and under-appreciated (perhaps hated), they sometimes feel and seem (from the inside) like "Resistance" commandos, workign undercover serving society. Some of you who get your information from talk shows will not understand what I am talking about, but others will. This is not a question, though you guys are welcome to treat it as such, or comment. It's just my observation that government workers have that team spark that you get from doing really important work, at a sacrifice to yourself. It is, as they say, like peeing your pants in a dark suit. It gives you a warm feeling but nobody notices.