Two hundred thousand families — that’s the number that may be impacted by the decision to terminate recent hires in the government. What did they do wrong? They went to work for the U.S. government. That is it. Since when did that become a terrible employment decision?

We need to remember that this isn’t just 200,000 people; it’s their families, many of whom were uprooted and moved. They left schools, families, friends to do what they felt was going to offer them a better life. What if this was your son, your daughter, brother, sister — what would you think?

Any of you who have run a business know you lose the best and brightest because they have the most opportunities to go somewhere else. If you had a daughter or a son, would you encourage them to work for the government under the current situation?

As a former executive of a Fortune 10 company who ran the human resources division, if you treat people with respect and dignity, you will be amazed at the return you get. If you don’t, then don’t be amazed at what you get.

Again, their big mistake was going to work for the government. Think about that, and the message that sends to every person deciding where to work! This brain drain in the government will be felt for years, and will impact each of us. Do you honor the commitments you have made? Shouldn’t our government do the same?

MIKE BROSIUS

Astoria