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Comment by the_optimist | Hacker News Reader

"If they really wanted to know how to use technology to build a more efficient country, they would ask us."

What a powerful statement.

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We really tend to miss that 90% of federal workers have forsaken massive financial opportunities to work at the federal government. Most of them are doing it because they truly believe they can improve the world by sacrificing their personal enrichment (within reason).

You can see this on full display in the federal reserve. There is no one that the federal reserve would hire who cannot get 10x the pay working in The private sector.

>There is no one that the federal reserve would hire who cannot get 10x the pay working in The private sector.

I'm sort of skeptical. Perhaps they are not receiving direct salary, but reaping other benefits. I don't mind if this comment is downvoted either.

How do you know the motivations of "most" federal workers?

I work for a government agency (not in the US). Working in private would have certainly made me more money but I really love the ample time off (4 extra weeks compared to a similar private-sector role) that we get which allows me to focus more on family and personal persuits. Additionally deadlines are pretty much non-existent as projects can drag on for years.

I realise that this might not be a good environment for ambitious people, however it pays the bills and I get to do whatever I want with my time.

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