I was a government employee for six years and I was certainly required to wear a uniform every day. This suggestion comes from an observation I made on my first trip to China. I noticed a fair number of uniformed people in the business district of Shanghai the first day I was there, so I asked my guide who are these people, the Army? No, I was told they are public service employees and all public service employees wear uniforms in China. I though it was a good idea.

This morning in my Tampa Tribune is an article by US Representative Adam Putnam, R. FL. He laments that as our nation soars to 10% unemployment, the growth of government employment is enjoying a boom unprecedented since the Johnson New Society days.

Some key points:

-Since Obama has taken office, 75,000 permanent jobs have been added. Department of Energy up 15%; Department of Health and Human Services up 10%; Department of Labor up 14%; Agency for International Development up 29%; Office of Personnel Management up 16%.

-The nation faces a $11.9 trillion deficit and the total continues to grow.

-No end seems to be in sight to the expansion of the Federal Government bureaucracy as Obama’s agenda items are being accomplished on the back of the US taxpayer.

Now I don’t object to the folks who provide services to our community and our nation. As I indicated, I did my bit for six years and am proud of my contribution to my country. I applaud the policemen, firemen, school teachers and other public service employees. I also don’t mind paying for the 535 representative we send to Washington, although I question their huge staffs and perquisites.

So I would suggest, as China does, lets put every government worker who draws a salary from the US taxpayer in a uniform. The emblem of their agency should be displayed as well as the particular department they work for. A name tag should identify them. I would make exception for the CIA, as unlike the current administration, I believe they should remain clandestine.