Mike Collins disrespects civil servants

In Flagpole’s September 16 issue (page 6, Mike Collins’ Greatest Hits) City Editor Blake Aued lists - with solid evidence - some “misdeeds” of our elusive 10th District Representative Mike Collins. I suggest adding another egregious example of his manifest incompetence that should make his Greatest Hits. 

In April of 2025 Rep. Collins claimed during a strange phoned-in town hall that “federal employees are lazy and stupid.” The repugnant Mr. Collins also said something disgusting about bathroom breaks for federal workers that I won’t repeat. (Flagpole News, April 30, 2025, p. 5). 

Extraordinary claims like that demand extraordinary evidence, but Rep. Collins has offered none. I retired after 53 years both with the EPA in Atlanta and with the Air Force Tactical Air Command in Kennesaw. I am here to tell you that practically all my coworkers regardless of GS level or military rank were skilled, well trained and dedicated. 

So I emailed Rep. Collins (after much rigamarole) on May 4, 2025 and asked him for anything resembling evidence to support his outrageous claims. He hasn’t responded and after all these months I’ve given up. Last year his aide (“Jimmy”) called me to say that the congressman is oh-so-busy and may never get around to my inquiry. Busy doing what?

Come November 3rd the congressman may find that many Georgians, regardless of political or religious views, respect our civil and military workers and are offended by such disparaging and disgusting statements. 

Duke Geddis 

Athens