It’s hard not to become cynical when GAO reports like this one illustrate how hard-earned tax dollars are being used and abused.  The Washington Examiner reports:

The federal government has shelled out more than $700 million in paid leave to more than 57,000 employees who were home from work for time periods stretching from one month to three years, a Government Accountability Office report has found.

In a 62-page report published Monday, the GAO analyzed why so many federal employees were home and getting paid for such long periods of time and they discovered a variety of reasons.

In many cases, employees were home awaiting the outcome of investigations into alleged misconduct and criminal actions. Some racked up paid leave for “physical fitness activities,” and others were away from work seeking professional development. Employees also took paid leave for “recuperation” from overseas work.

Hundreds of federal employees remained at home, collecting a paycheck, for years.

As you work hard today, remember how some of the dollars you’re forking over to the feds is being used. This GAO reports is one of many examples of what happens when government grows to the point where keeping abuse in check is a monumental task.