Social Security Execs....Should be fired.

[monmouth]

Recently received an e-mail about SS Execs. at a lavish 3-day conference totaling $700,000 for their partying. This is disgusting in view of the economic situation of the day. www.abcnews.com Just type in social security executives if it doesn't pop right up. Personally I think they should be fired.

[Henryman]

1. Easy there with the knee-jerk reaction!

Business people go to business conferences all the time. Why is the government any different? $700,000 for 700 employees is $1000 per person. $1000 for airfare, hotel and meals for three days is reasonable. How can you call this "lavish"?

[Kittycat]

15. Because it's our tax dollars.

I cannot get behind these trips. Sorry, I can't. It's not like this is a for profit company rewarding their top sales people for doing their fucking job and selling. It's bullshit, and I don't like seeing tax money wasted like this, when there are so many other problems that need funding.

[JVS]

2. It sounds like you got emailed by teabaggers who want to destroy SS

[damntexdem]

3. Amen to that. CMS is a horrible bureaucracy, but much more efficient than a private health insurer.

Whether there was really a need for the conference in question can be argued. But there may have been a need. And in the case, the costs are not excessive if there was a need.

And this thread is another argument for the brilliance of 'unrecommend.'

[monmouth]

4. Their excuse for this trip seemed IMO lame. Sorry, just struck a wrong

chord with me. This "meeting" could have been conducted for far less money and in a less luxurious venue...

[endarkenment]

5. Your concern is noted.

I suggest you try to organize a 3-day conference for 700 people for less than 1,000/person.

[monmouth]

6. Explain the necessity of 700 ppl attending???? And please, I used

to arrange conferences like these all of the time. This is an administration who is asking people to tighten their belts. This could have been done far more economically.. And thank you for your concern for my concern. It is noted.

[Statistical]

7. That is a strawman

Was the conference even needed? If not then cost could be $0.00

If the conference was needed did 700 people need to go? Anyone ever heard of "train the trainer"
If 700 needed to go could it have been made 2 days vs 3?
Instead of a single conference w/ higher airfare how about a few smaller conferences?

Even business is cutting conferences. Those that aren't are trimming back number of people or length.

[Cerridwen]

12. See post #8. n/t

[Cerridwen]

8. Here is some perspective for you... (edited)

700 of 48,000 employees attended. How many branch offices do you think there are in the World-wide (SS ain't just in the US)?

A clip from a recent report of the stress levels of the 48,000 people working for the SSA that, "Since its inception, <has> delivered quality service to America’s retired and disabled."

A January 2009 GAO report documented the current conditions at SSA field offices around the country. SSA staff visited by GAO indicated that they have less time to spend with customers, “potentially leading to mistakes and also limiting the ability of staff to ensure that customers fully understand their options and benefits.” That, in turn, has increased the stress on SSA employees.

GAO asked 153 SSA employees at 21 offices to rate their stress levels they experienced trying to complete their work in a “timely manner,” and 65 percent reported feeling stress to a “great” or “very great” degree. The stress, GAO said, was felt most acutely by office managers, 74 percent of whom described high levels of stress. Moreover, the workload pressures have “led to cutbacks in the amount of time allocated for training and mentoring new staff,” while SSA has reduced the number of continuing disability reviews and SSI redeterminations that are conducted to ensure that disability beneficiaries are paid the correct amounts. from this link

I'm always amazed that people presume those who help people, rather than say, run hedge funds or banks, are less deserving of "luxuries" or decent pay.

In comparison, let me remind you of the real outrage that's happened with our tax dollars:

(AP) Banks that are getting taxpayer bailouts awarded their top executives nearly $1.6 billion in salaries, bonuses, and other benefits last year, an Associated Press analysis reveals.

The rewards came even at banks where poor results last year foretold the economic crisis that sent them to Washington for a government rescue. Some trimmed their executive compensation due to lagging bank performance, but still forked over multimillion-dollar executive pay packages.

Benefits included cash bonuses, stock options, personal use of company jets and chauffeurs, home security, country club memberships and professional money management, the AP review of federal securities documents found.

The total amount given to nearly 600 executives would cover bailout costs for many of the 116 banks that have so far accepted tax dollars to boost their bottom lines. from this link

Less than $1000/day (most of which was probably for meeting space) for about 1.5% of an agency that provides services to

46.5 million people

so they can, hopefully, continue to be one of the best government agencies. Seems like a deal to me.

As one of my favorite seniors used to say, "Where's the beef?!"


eta: world-wide - SS has offices world-wide, not just in the US

[monmouth]

9. I forwarded your post back to her. Thank you for your perspective...n/t

[Cerridwen]

10. You're welcome. n/t

[Cerridwen]

11. I updated my post. FYI n/t

[endarkenment]

13. thank you.

excellent research to counter the kneejerkery.

[lumberjack_jeff]

14. Very well said. n/t