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Opinion
The following is presented as part of The Columbian’s Opinion content, which offers a point of view in order to provoke thought and debate of civic issues. Opinions represent the viewpoint of the author. Unsigned editorials represent the consensus opinion of The Columbian’s editorial board, which operates independently of the news department.
News / Opinion / Letters to the Editor

Letter: Don’t go back to spoils system

By Larry Mastin, VANCOUVER
Published: August 10, 2024, 6:00am

A Republican priority in 2025 is “Schedule F,” which would reclassify 50,000 federal employees as political appointees. They could be fired without cause and replaced with political cronies, back-scratchers and apparatchiks. This abuse, known as a spoils system, was rampant in the federal government until it was ended by the Pendleton Act in 1883. Most federal employees are now hired based on merit, not party connections. Do we really want to go back?

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