Letters to the editor

Following are responses to an FCW.com poll question that asked "Do you support giving the proposed Homeland Security Department its own personnel rules to hire, fire and retain employees?"

The merit promotion system in place is a joke now. How could a new system be better if a controlled system is abused? This new system will give greater opportunity for mischief. This observation comes from almost 30 years of government personnel experience and abuse. Abuse includes favoritism, very poor personnel staffs and least-qualified selected candidates for promotion (promote your friends and screw your enemies).

Stephen Hudak Drug Enforcement Administration

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The long-established civil service system has served that nation well. Don't fix it if it ain't broke! Naturally, the administration would like to increase their top-down control to the detriment of federal employees.

Alan Budreau Air Force

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It is not a question of one agency having this ability. Rather, all large government agencies should have it if one agency has it. The Office of Personnel Management has failed as a governmentwide personnel agency. It should become an oversight agency, sort of like the Office of Management and Budget. Letting agencies establish their own personnel policies will be much more efficient and cost effective. The current system is sort of like having every business use IBM's personnel policies.

Name withheld upon request