This serves two purposes. The second a 50% less likely chance of being called to jury duty in most states. I worked for an Army Colonial once. For those of you military rank impaired types, this is one grade below the political appointee level of General. This guy told the whole division at one meeting he no longer voted or registered, due to the appearance of conflict of interests (his next promotion). We could take this idea one step further and ban every federal employee (and contractor) from the voting booth. Remove the contractor from this, feds by themselves do not rate above the cut line for most politicians to even be concerned which way we vote. In part due to the Hatch Act, limiting us from forming a voting mob, er block, that might make a difference in a tight race.

I wholeheartedly agree with Larry at Social Security. We are entrusted with the money of taxpaying Americans and we have a duty to use the funds wisely. Federal employees and elected officials must be held to a higher standard. Sadly, our society as a whole lacks the moral compass that was present in “the olden days”. Integrity, personal accountability, honesty, loyalty, respect for others, common courtesy, and placing the needs of others ahead of our own personal wants have been largely replaced by hypocrisy -“do as I say not as I do”-, onus, greed, self-centeredness, and irresponsibility. The effects of today’s “norms” permeate every aspect of society, from children’s behavior in the classroom and on the playground; to multinational corporations who pay little to no tax to our country due to legal gimmicks; to Wall-Street bankers and mortgage brokers who were largely responsible for the meltdown in 2008; to those who can work but would rather collect welfare; to elected officials who cannot keep their trousers zipped; to high-ranking federal executives who are more concerned about the lucrative private-sector job waiting for them at the end of their government service. It is incumbent upon all government employees and elected officials to perform their duties with the utmost care and to adhere to the highest standards of moral behavior. I completely disagree with Anon’s statement that “I know there are good, hardworking feds out there. I have had the privilege of working with them. I also know there are a much larger pool of feds that should not have their job, much less still be employed.” Anon – are you omnipotent? How do you know that there is a much larger pool of federal employees who do not deserve to be employed? Are you personally familiar with the work habits of all two-million of us? This is a very unfair statement, and it sadly reflects the private sector’s general view of government employees. When there is a scandal, such as the GSA conference or the Secret Service’s sexual escapades, it further mars the public’s perception of all of us. Speaking of perception – the perception of impropriety must be avoided by all federal employees and elected officials. It is one thing for feds attending a conference or training class to responsibly consume alcohol in the hotel bar or at a local restaurant. It is another thing to become intoxicated and to dance on the table while pulling up one’s shirt to show off one’s abs. I have been a fed long enough (25 years) to know that whenever there is an issue, the initial reaction is more of a “shotgun” approach rather than a “surgical approach”. It appears that this is more of the immediate shotgun approach. As the saying goes, “this too shall pass”.

I wholeheartedly agree with Larry at Social Security. We are entrusted with the money of taxpaying Americans and we have a duty to use the funds wisely. Federal employees and elected officials must be held to a higher standard. Sadly, our society as a whole lacks the moral compass that was present in "the olden days". Integrity, personal accountability, honesty, loyalty, respect for others, common courtesy, and placing the needs of others ahead of our own personal wants have been largely replaced by hypocrisy -do as I say not as I do - onus, greed, self-centeredness, and irresponsibility. The effects of today's norms permeate every aspect of society, from children's behavior in the classroom and on the playground; to multinational corporations who pay little to no tax to our country due to legal gimmicks; to Wall-Street bankers and mortgage brokers who were largely responsible for the meltdown in 2008; to those who can work but would rather collect welfare; to elected officials who cannot keep their trousers zipped; to high-ranking federal executives who are more concerned about the lucrative private-sector job waiting for them at the end of their government service. It is incumbent upon all government employees and elected officials to perform their duties with the utmost care and to adhere to the highest standards of moral behavior. I completely disagree with Anon's statement that "I know there are good, hardworking feds out there. I have had the privilege of working with them. I also know there are a much larger pool of feds that should not have their job, much less still be employed. Anon, are you omnipotent? How do you know that there is a much larger pool of federal employees who do not deserve to be employed? Are you personally familiar with the work habits of all two-million of us? This is a very unfair statement, and it sadly reflects the private sector's general view of government employees. When there is a scandal, such as the GSA conference or the Secret Service's sexual escapades, it further mars the public's perception of all of us. Speaking of perception,the perception of impropriety must be avoided by all federal employees and elected officials. It is one thing for feds attending a conference or training class to responsibly consume alcohol in the hotel bar or at a local restaurant. It is another thing to become intoxicated and to dance on the table while pulling up one's shirt to show off one's abs. I have been a fed long enough (25 years) to know that whenever there is an issue, the initial reaction is more of a shotgun approach rather than a surgical approach. It appears that this is more of the immediate shotgun approach. As the saying goes, "this too shall pass".

Obviously no one should drink while "on the clock." But if I want to have a beer during my lunch time...for which I'm not being paid...at an off-site restaurant, that's totally my business. I don't know of anyone who's becomes impaired by a beer or a glass of wine. What would be next? Maybe a supervisor can tell an employee not to take a prescription painkiller because it could make them woozy and affect their performance? I know, prescriptions are different than beverages, but they both are relevant to the general issue of "job performance." This isn't Puritan England or Saudi Arabia. Supervisors need to use common sense and not be in the nanny business.

Telling FEDS to not consume alcohol while off duty OR off duty in travel status is an immature overreaction by managers/agency heads.This is not kindergarten.We're adults,folks.Some FEDS drink alcohol,some don't.Most if not all agencies have conduct rules and alcohol is one of them.Get hammered at lunch,get a DUI,abuse alcohol and you're getting disciplined up to losing your job.I'm not a teetotaler and enjoy an occasional cold beer,but never,ever in the work environment.If the managers start telling us to not consume alcohol what's next? Dress code,no smoking,no gambling,no swearing,no immoral behavior,no candy,no caffeine,etc. Please,lets stop the madness asap!!

Obviously drinking on the job, should be out. Although I have known a couple who did. A beer at lunch, I have no problem with it as long as you can work in the afternoon. Personally, the 2 times I tried a drink at lunch (to celebrate birthdays), I about fell asleep in the afternoon, so stopped that occasional practice.........While traveling on government business? Depends what you are doing. When the Secret Service is in the field, they are basically on duty or on call the whole time. (or I would assume so), then I agree no alcohol, nothing to impair their job (like call girls). But, if they are at home and not on call, I have no problem. It is their personal choice. We have only been told not to drink and drive the government vehicles. Which makes sense to me. I know too many people while on business travel for CPE to come in drunk to class the next day. But, if you can stay awake and concentrate (at least in your opinion), what ever. I can't do that. But, when it comes to drinking, I am a light weight!

I do not know what "higher standard meams because it is too general. I also do not use alcohol only because I do not like the taste of those beverages. However, to tell someone not to drink off duty is not correct. If they are traveling on their own time then the same applies. If they are at a government conference they are on government time and must follow the rules. However, even off government time, do not embarrass the government. Then you are liable. See Fed employee comments

I was talking to some co-workers, Miller and Schlitz, and we are in agreement with Bud. Please don't try to blame this on Busch.

Thanks for a good laugh!!