So, looks like the Republicans shut down the Government. No big deal for the legislatures 'cause they will still get paid during the shutdown but the Military will not… So my question is, since the Government is breaking their contract with the troops by not paying them, can they leave their posts at this point and be considered a deserter?
Late,
grmpysmrf
I wish we could scrap all of them and start over. Unfortunately, that probably won’t happen. I don’t expect this to really last too long.
Just read that Obama signed a bill that would keep the Military paid. Good for him.
you know I read somewhere that it’s noted that teabaggers and neocons jump and down and scream about how government is the problem and then they get elected thus ensuring that government continues to be the problem. self fulfilling prophecy.
Late,
grmpysmrf
I wish we could scrap all of them and start over. Unfortunately, that probably won’t happen. I don’t expect this to really last too long.
Saw a poll a week or so back showing several things. number one, American’s HATE obamacare but they LOVE the affordable care act. No shit.
Also, the american people will hold the republicans responsible by a 60-40 margin for the shutdown.so if that’s true hopefully all these fuckers will get voted out and we can see John Boehner cry for real on the way out the fuckin door.
Late,
grmpysmrf
Aliens = Demons = Ghosts.
God is real, evolution is true, humans are bad at generating random numbers.
(Translation: this is nuts, but what can I do? I have little money, a fairly low-powered gun, and zero clout with the local good ol’ boys. Best to just carry on like I always do. Step correct and not worry too much. Fear is the mindkiller, and dis/mis/overinformation is the new opiate of the masses. Eat that watermelon, sho’ is good. Tyree, you stabbed my dad.)
Just read that Obama signed a bill that would keep the Military paid. Good for him.
Yeah, so the military will get paid - all good and proper - but they are saying that around 800,000 government workers will not.
Sounds great. Thanks Obama.
Sounds great. Thanks Obama.
More like thanks Boner… The Reps are the ones who are assholes and holding US hostage. The health care passed by Americas but the rich say no so here we are! I agree it won’t last long though.
[reply]Just read that Obama signed a bill that would keep the Military paid. Good for him.
Yeah, so the military will get paid - all good and proper - but they are saying that around 800,000 government workers will not.
Sounds great. Thanks Obama.[/reply]
Thanks obama? Obama didn’t shut the government down. You sound like one of those dudes who beats their wife and then complains “why did you make me do that” as if the beating was the fault of the woman
Late,
grmpysmrf
There are approximately 800,000 direct Federal employees on furlough out of over 2 million (not counting military). There are additional support contractors that are also not working due to the Federal furlough. The support contractors’ pay depends on how their employer wants them to charge (direct overhead, etc.). There are a some direct Feds still working without pay (FAA, TSA, DEA, USCBP, USPS, etc.). Contrary to popular belief, most regular direct Feds are not overpaid fat cats. They are average working-class people who live pay check-to-paycheck. This directly impacts their bottom line.
This also impacts the bottom line of the economy in their local communities and tourist areas if people are not out spending money when every penny now counts. Mortgages, taxes, and bills will not get paid because the income is now zero for an indefinite period of time.
I watched the live vote on CNN last night when the moderate Republicans tried to pass a cleaner CR but only received only 6 vs. the 17 votes they needed.
- The House and Senate each author their own versions of legislation (in this case a Continuing Resolution vs. an appropriations bill), 2) then they have to approve each others version, 3) then it goes to the Prez to either sign into law or to veto (back to step 1). Nothing has reached the Prez yet.
Most Senate and House personnel are independently wealthy. Thus, they do not need their fed salary or insurance benefits: they can pay their bills and afford their own health insurance without it being footed by the tax payers. Unlike delayed commercial flights as a result of the sequester that directly impacted the House and Senate’s ability to travel, this Fed shutdown does not impact their ability to put a roof over their head and provide food for their family like it does the rest of the Fed employees. Until something trickles down to hit them where it hurts, they have no direct incentive to stop this nonsense.
First-hand account of the impact: If we are not back to work by Monday, I will have to file for unemployment. If this goes past Monday, I will incur additional costs that will put further strain on my already stressed finances because I’m still recovering from the housing crisis/HAMP failure.
OMG!!! Government Shutdown!!! Whatever shall we do??? Oh, wait. My TV still works, I got internet, and the beer store is open as usual. False alarm. Seriously, though, I never get why Joe Public would even give a crap. The TV bobbleheads make it sound like we’re all gonna die without our beloved government working for a few days (as if they don’t just sit in their offices playing Farmville and Tweeting pictures of their wieners to each other). More retarded scare tactics to justify something inevitably stupid and costly . . . Remember when we had to save the economy from impending doom and it only cost us $900 Billion? Yeah, call me skeptical, but I’m pretty sure life is gonna go on regardless . . .
As per usual . . . I predict after a couple days of screaming about economic apocalypse they’ll have an emergency compromise or some radical solution that will put everything back online. Then they’ll proclaim themselves as our heroes again, and no one will mention that the government “of the people, by the people, for the people” just squeezed a bunch of citizens’ balls just because they can.
During the Clinton years, one shutdown lasted 21 days.
I am optimistic for a resolution by Monday, but I suspect that this is not going to be quickly resolved.
There are approximately 800,000 direct Federal employees on furlough out of over 2 million (not counting military). There are additional support contractors that are also not working due to the Federal furlough. The support contractors’ pay depends on how their employer wants them to charge (direct overhead, etc.). There are a some direct Feds still working without pay (FAA, TSA, DEA, USCBP, USPS, etc.). Contrary to popular belief, most regular direct Feds are not overpaid fat cats. They are average working-class people who live pay check-to-paycheck. This directly impacts their bottom line.
Yeah, a lot of my friends and relatives work for the government (at various levels) and none of them are rolling in money.
[reply]Contrary to popular belief, most regular direct Feds are not overpaid fat cats. They are average working-class people who live pay check-to-paycheck. This directly impacts their bottom line.
Yeah, a lot of my friends and relatives work for the government (at various levels) and none of them are rolling in money.[/reply]
These are the rate tables: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/
G1-G15? What’s that? Do they go up one for each year they worked or something?
G1-G15? What’s that? Do they go up one for each year they worked or something?
http://govcentral.monster.com/benefits/articles/1757
A GS-13 is the Senior level right below lead/management. A GS-14 is a Technical or People Lead: Section Chief and a GS-15 is Management: Branch Chief, Division Chief, Director. Senior Executive Service (SES) is above GS-15 but less than a Jr. Congress person and is made by selection.
Step Increases based on years of service: Step 1 through 4 is every 12 months. Step 4 to 7 is every 24 months. Step 7 to 10 is every 36 months.
[reply]
Sounds great. Thanks Obama.
More like thanks Boner… The Reps are the ones who are assholes and holding US hostage. The health care passed by Americas but the rich say no so here we are! I agree it won’t last long though.[/reply]
At least congress is still getting paid!
You sound like one of those dudes who beats their wife and then complains “why did you make me do that” as if the beating was the fault of the woman
You leave my woman-beating OUTTA THIS!!!
[reply][reply]Just read that Obama signed a bill that would keep the Military paid. Good for him.
Yeah, so the military will get paid - all good and proper - but they are saying that around 800,000 government workers will not.
Sounds great. Thanks Obama.[/reply]
Thanks obama? Obama didn’t shut the government down. You sound like one of those dudes who beats their wife and then complains “why did you make me do that” as if the beating was the fault of the woman
Late,
grmpysmrf[/reply]
During the Clinton years, one shutdown lasted 21 days.
I am optimistic for a resolution by Monday, but I suspect that this is not going to be quickly resolved.
I don’t think this will be resolved very quickly either. As you pointed out, congress has all of their necessities covered so this really is no sweat off their back. The fact that they still get paid during all of this is just insult to injury. (imagine, could you get paid large bills for NOT working? lazy fuckers!)
Yeah, Newt Gingrich shut the government down for 21 days back in the mid 90’s. more proof the Repubs are children who basically hold their breath and tantrum when they don’t get what they want. fuckin’ assholes.
Gunnar it’s bigger than TV, internet, and beer.
Social security doesn’t go, social programs aren’t funded. it is a big deal
Late,
grmpysmrf
Gunnar it’s bigger than TV, internet, and beer.
Social security doesn’t go, social programs aren’t funded. it is a big deal
Late,
grmpysmrf
Yeah. Sure it is.
But it’s not, really.
It’s just more pantomiming of an idiot clown troupe to distract as usual. Trust me, life is gonna go on.
I honestly don’t care if the government shuts down.
What, Yogi and Booboo don’t get to see Ranger Dave at Jellystone Park this week? So what? The IRS isn’t typing away at their laptops deciding if they go after P.Diddy or Lil Wayne this year? Big deal.
I would NEVER be so silly as to seek employment from a boss that’s $3 Trillion in debt with no plan for recovery. That’s just a bad gamble. So forgive me if I fail to weep hysterically.