Wake me up from this nightmare

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I cannot believe that we may be facing double unemployment. I'm a federal contractor and my spouse is a fed. At the end of 2024 we both received promotions and were doing well and happy in our careers. My company is crumbling around me with contracts being terminated and layoffs and all I can do is watch. We are in our 40s with two young kids and a mortgage. We are financially conservative and can live on one income comfortably without childcare, which has always given us piece of mind. However, we are now in what would usually seem like a remote possibility that both of us would be unemployed at the same time for a potentially extended period. I cannot focus on anything--my work, my kids. I'm depressed just thinking about how happy everyone was in December and now the future looks bleak and uncertain. My kids have no idea what is going on.

I really wish someone would shine a light on what is going on, because we can't be the only ones. DOGE has not even started with NIH, FDA, and SAMSHA and RIFs--Montgomery County is going to a disaster. I think the rest of the country doesn't care.

This is so stressful and I'm sorry you're going through it. I hate what Trump and Musk are doing, and I'm so scared for our country. And if they manage to layoff and cut as many workers and contracts as they want, our family faces a similar risk since our jobs rely on that spending.

I will just say that many communities in the US have been decimated in recent history by cuts in manufacturing jobs since the 80s and most recently during the Great Recession. Obama was in office for 8 years and those manufacturing jobs did not recover. I think we need to be sensitive to that when we talk about others not caring about Montgomery County.

Also - Montgomery County Government is hiring! Look into their budget office for jobs.

Re: Great Recession, (1) there were so many bailouts and jobs programs and retraining programs, to say nothing of later efforts like the IRA that have been great for manufacturing, and (2) the 2008 crash was caused by the kind of deregulation that is happening again now.
We are trapped in this cycle of Republican policies crashing the economy, the government bailing them out, and then people complaining about the government not doing enough so let's fire them.

Manufacturing jobs did not recover.

I'm not saying Obama didn't do anything. But the reality is that none of these government programs address the root causes of the loss of jobs in the manufacturing sector, which was driven by globalization that both Republicans and Democrats supported. And I don't know what the answer is, nor am I equating that with Trump and Musk's illegal actions, but if we are talking about elected officials making decisions that decimate communities and then saying nobody cares about the risk to our community - we need to be sensitive to that.

Multiple government bailouts and recovery plans is, by definition, people caring.
I don't see any congressional program to train fired feds to be solar technicians or electricians, like we had for those communities.

It matters because this tone policing is part of the problem. Feds are supposed to shut up and take it on the chin because we always have before, and our elected reps are used to us doing that so they are indifferent.

+1

Also last I checked Obama did create a billionaire commission to send daily emails to manufacturing plants letting the employees know how useless they are, enticing them into a fraudulent resignation offer, fire them for reasons unrelated to market forces or misconduct, gloat all over the media about their job losses, and move their worksites to far flung locations just to make them miserable.

Like you just cannot even begin to compare what is going on now to manufacturing job loss.

None of what you are posting remotely negates any of what I said. I even bolded where I clearly stated that I don't think what is going on is "the same" and you chose to ignore that.

I will repost below for your convenienI agree and sympathize with OP and may even be in the same boat soon. I don't think anybody should shut up but specifically, I think talking about how other people don't care about Montgomery County is going to fall flat in many places, so maybe focus on the numerous other horrific aspects of what is happening right now?

I'm not saying Obama didn't do anything. But the reality is that none of these government programs address the root causes of the loss of jobs in the manufacturing sector, which was driven by globalization that both Republicans and Democrats supported. And I don't know what the answer is, nor am I equating that with Trump and Musk's illegal actions, but if we are talking about elected officials making decisions that decimate communities and then saying nobody cares about the risk to our community - we need to be sensitive to that.

NP - nah. Stop scolding people for having a normal human reaction to deliberate attempts by a vindictive megalomaniac (several of them, actually) to terrorize them. No one was cackling gleefully about closing manufacturing facilities. Moreover, those closures were not done sheerly out of spite. Move along if you have nothing supportive to contribute.

Who here is cackling? Jfc

I agree with OP on everything but one statement that she wrote about other people not about herself. Sorry you don't like that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are one fed and another in a field that will be affected. Our oldest is a senior and did really well with applications and merit, but it’s not enough to go to any of the distant states. They will have to stay in state. I don’t mind so much for myself and I’d take whatever job as needed, but this is going to crush the upcoming generation.

I’m sorry but having to stay in state for college is not a hardship. It’s pretty privileged to spend more than necessary for higher education just because you want to. If your kid is going to be crushed by this life is going to be really difficult for your child.

Agree, most people I know stayed in state or close for college even with top grades. Even now, many choose this b/c it is/may be financially more responsible.
I don’t like what is happening, especially the way it is happening, but this is not one of the items we need to prioritize.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I cannot believe that we may be facing double unemployment. I'm a federal contractor and my spouse is a fed. At the end of 2024 we both received promotions and were doing well and happy in our careers. My company is crumbling around me with contracts being terminated and layoffs and all I can do is watch. We are in our 40s with two young kids and a mortgage. We are financially conservative and can live on one income comfortably without childcare, which has always given us piece of mind. However, we are now in what would usually seem like a remote possibility that both of us would be unemployed at the same time for a potentially extended period. I cannot focus on anything--my work, my kids. I'm depressed just thinking about how happy everyone was in December and now the future looks bleak and uncertain. My kids have no idea what is going on.

I really wish someone would shine a light on what is going on, because we can't be the only ones. DOGE has not even started with NIH, FDA, and SAMSHA and RIFs--Montgomery County is going to a disaster. I think the rest of the country doesn't care.

This is so stressful and I'm sorry you're going through it. I hate what Trump and Musk are doing, and I'm so scared for our country. And if they manage to layoff and cut as many workers and contracts as they want, our family faces a similar risk since our jobs rely on that spending.

I will just say that many communities in the US have been decimated in recent history by cuts in manufacturing jobs since the 80s and most recently during the Great Recession. Obama was in office for 8 years and those manufacturing jobs did not recover. I think we need to be sensitive to that when we talk about others not caring about Montgomery County.

Also - Montgomery County Government is hiring! Look into their budget office for jobs.

Re: Great Recession, (1) there were so many bailouts and jobs programs and retraining programs, to say nothing of later efforts like the IRA that have been great for manufacturing, and (2) the 2008 crash was caused by the kind of deregulation that is happening again now.
We are trapped in this cycle of Republican policies crashing the economy, the government bailing them out, and then people complaining about the government not doing enough so let's fire them.

Manufacturing jobs did not recover.

I'm not saying Obama didn't do anything. But the reality is that none of these government programs address the root causes of the loss of jobs in the manufacturing sector, which was driven by globalization that both Republicans and Democrats supported. And I don't know what the answer is, nor am I equating that with Trump and Musk's illegal actions, but if we are talking about elected officials making decisions that decimate communities and then saying nobody cares about the risk to our community - we need to be sensitive to that.

Multiple government bailouts and recovery plans is, by definition, people caring.
I don't see any congressional program to train fired feds to be solar technicians or electricians, like we had for those communities.

It matters because this tone policing is part of the problem. Feds are supposed to shut up and take it on the chin because we always have before, and our elected reps are used to us doing that so they are indifferent.

+1

Also last I checked Obama did create a billionaire commission to send daily emails to manufacturing plants letting the employees know how useless they are, enticing them into a fraudulent resignation offer, fire them for reasons unrelated to market forces or misconduct, gloat all over the media about their job losses, and move their worksites to far flung locations just to make them miserable.

Like you just cannot even begin to compare what is going on now to manufacturing job loss.

None of what you are posting remotely negates any of what I said. I even bolded where I clearly stated that I don't think what is going on is "the same" and you chose to ignore that.

I will repost below for your convenienI agree and sympathize with OP and may even be in the same boat soon. I don't think anybody should shut up but specifically, I think talking about how other people don't care about Montgomery County is going to fall flat in many places, so maybe focus on the numerous other horrific aspects of what is happening right now?

I'm not saying Obama didn't do anything. But the reality is that none of these government programs address the root causes of the loss of jobs in the manufacturing sector, which was driven by globalization that both Republicans and Democrats supported. And I don't know what the answer is, nor am I equating that with Trump and Musk's illegal actions, but if we are talking about elected officials making decisions that decimate communities and then saying nobody cares about the risk to our community - we need to be sensitive to that.

NP - nah. Stop scolding people for having a normal human reaction to deliberate attempts by a vindictive megalomaniac (several of them, actually) to terrorize them. No one was cackling gleefully about closing manufacturing facilities. Moreover, those closures were not done sheerly out of spite. Move along if you have nothing supportive to contribute.

Who here is cackling? Jfc

I agree with OP on everything but one statement that she wrote about other people not about herself. Sorry you don't like that.

DP. Pretty sure the PP was referring to members of the present Admin rather than DCUM posters (omitting that one PP who got reported and deleted for such an attitude and accompanying potty mouth). There is a gleeful and vindictive attitude surrounding these job losses that was never present in job losses in other sectors under other Admins, including previous Republican Admins.

[Anonymous]

My DH is in a supervisory role that will likely be deemed schedule F and I'm at the same agency, but not likely to be deemed schedule F. He's 4 years from minimum retirement age and years of service and I'm 3 years away. We both have had exemplary performance reviews for our whole careers.

Our youngest son is a college junior and has Crohn's disease, which requires costly infusions to treat. I'm terrified we'll lose our health insurance and my son won't have access to his treatment. I sob about this regularly when I'm alone.

My DH is strongly considering the Fork, but only because he qualifies for VERA and would take that. I qualify for VERA, too, but am scared the whole thing will be a scam and we won't have insurance.

I'm just so tired.

Sending hugs to everyone going through this terrible time. Know you're not alone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I dont get the issue. It is 5 years since COVID.

What are you talking about?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I cannot believe that we may be facing double unemployment. I'm a federal contractor and my spouse is a fed. At the end of 2024 we both received promotions and were doing well and happy in our careers. My company is crumbling around me with contracts being terminated and layoffs and all I can do is watch. We are in our 40s with two young kids and a mortgage. We are financially conservative and can live on one income comfortably without childcare, which has always given us piece of mind. However, we are now in what would usually seem like a remote possibility that both of us would be unemployed at the same time for a potentially extended period. I cannot focus on anything--my work, my kids. I'm depressed just thinking about how happy everyone was in December and now the future looks bleak and uncertain. My kids have no idea what is going on.

I really wish someone would shine a light on what is going on, because we can't be the only ones. DOGE has not even started with NIH, FDA, and SAMSHA and RIFs--Montgomery County is going to a disaster. I think the rest of the country doesn't care.

This is so stressful and I'm sorry you're going through it. I hate what Trump and Musk are doing, and I'm so scared for our country. And if they manage to layoff and cut as many workers and contracts as they want, our family faces a similar risk since our jobs rely on that spending.

I will just say that many communities in the US have been decimated in recent history by cuts in manufacturing jobs since the 80s and most recently during the Great Recession. Obama was in office for 8 years and those manufacturing jobs did not recover. I think we need to be sensitive to that when we talk about others not caring about Montgomery County.

Also - Montgomery County Government is hiring! Look into their budget office for jobs.

Re: Great Recession, (1) there were so many bailouts and jobs programs and retraining programs, to say nothing of later efforts like the IRA that have been great for manufacturing, and (2) the 2008 crash was caused by the kind of deregulation that is happening again now.
We are trapped in this cycle of Republican policies crashing the economy, the government bailing them out, and then people complaining about the government not doing enough so let's fire them.

Manufacturing jobs did not recover.

I'm not saying Obama didn't do anything. But the reality is that none of these government programs address the root causes of the loss of jobs in the manufacturing sector, which was driven by globalization that both Republicans and Democrats supported. And I don't know what the answer is, nor am I equating that with Trump and Musk's illegal actions, but if we are talking about elected officials making decisions that decimate communities and then saying nobody cares about the risk to our community - we need to be sensitive to that.

Multiple government bailouts and recovery plans is, by definition, people caring.
I don't see any congressional program to train fired feds to be solar technicians or electricians, like we had for those communities.

It matters because this tone policing is part of the problem. Feds are supposed to shut up and take it on the chin because we always have before, and our elected reps are used to us doing that so they are indifferent.

+1

Also last I checked Obama did create a billionaire commission to send daily emails to manufacturing plants letting the employees know how useless they are, enticing them into a fraudulent resignation offer, fire them for reasons unrelated to market forces or misconduct, gloat all over the media about their job losses, and move their worksites to far flung locations just to make them miserable.

Like you just cannot even begin to compare what is going on now to manufacturing job loss.

None of what you are posting remotely negates any of what I said. I even bolded where I clearly stated that I don't think what is going on is "the same" and you chose to ignore that.

I will repost below for your convenienI agree and sympathize with OP and may even be in the same boat soon. I don't think anybody should shut up but specifically, I think talking about how other people don't care about Montgomery County is going to fall flat in many places, so maybe focus on the numerous other horrific aspects of what is happening right now?

I'm not saying Obama didn't do anything. But the reality is that none of these government programs address the root causes of the loss of jobs in the manufacturing sector, which was driven by globalization that both Republicans and Democrats supported. And I don't know what the answer is, nor am I equating that with Trump and Musk's illegal actions, but if we are talking about elected officials making decisions that decimate communities and then saying nobody cares about the risk to our community - we need to be sensitive to that.

NP - nah. Stop scolding people for having a normal human reaction to deliberate attempts by a vindictive megalomaniac (several of them, actually) to terrorize them. No one was cackling gleefully about closing manufacturing facilities. Moreover, those closures were not done sheerly out of spite. Move along if you have nothing supportive to contribute.

Who here is cackling? Jfc

I agree with OP on everything but one statement that she wrote about other people not about herself. Sorry you don't like that.

DP. Pretty sure the PP was referring to members of the present Admin rather than DCUM posters (omitting that one PP who got reported and deleted for such an attitude and accompanying potty mouth). There is a gleeful and vindictive attitude surrounding these job losses that was never present in job losses in other sectors under other Admins, including previous Republican Admins.

Thanks, PP - yes, I was referring to the current administration and contrasting them in particular with administrations in charge during manufacturing job losses. No one was cheering those on. The cruelty currently on display is a large part of what makes this situation a nightmare.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FYI the teacher spammers may want to pay heed to OP's point about the impact this will have on our local community. That means schools too. That means MCPS will get the bare minimum because that's all that we'll be able to afford if our tax revenues crater.

I don’t get it. Why are we attacking teachers right now?

no one is.

[Anonymous]

If it is any consolation, you are not alone in this boat. Same exact situation here. Total lack of sleep and non-stop stress for the last 3 weeks. Affecting kids, which is the biggest disappointment for me.

[Anonymous]

It is seriously time to purchase guns. Soon people will be breaking into our homes looking for food. And it won’t be pretty.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m sorry, OP. And it’s all for nothing— it is just to be cruel.

I am sorry.

Yes, just wanton cruelty. I don’t believe in god, but I wish I did so I could know that there is a special place in hell for Musk. There are children dying of aids because of what he is doing.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I keep hearing of people sad about losing their job or their world is burning down but i never hear what value they provided and why it seems like this is their only job possible in the entire world.

People should be looking to move on.

The social compact around govt jobs is likely permanently changed.

Safest to grieve it from a stable financial place.

Where would that be? Kentucky? California? Alabama? Or maybe Canada?

[Anonymous]

The only one who can change your situation is you, OP. Change is hard and scary but sitting in a sense of powerlessness is pointless and risky. Best of luck in your job hunting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I keep hearing of people sad about losing their job or their world is burning down but i never hear what value they provided and why it seems like this is their only job possible in the entire world.

People should be looking to move on.

The social compact around govt jobs is likely permanently changed.

Safest to grieve it from a stable financial place.

Where would that be? Kentucky? California? Alabama? Or maybe Canada?

Finding new work.

[Anonymous]

Why do people think they would have a right to work in Canada? Baffling?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If it is any consolation, you are not alone in this boat. Same exact situation here. Total lack of sleep and non-stop stress for the last 3 weeks. Affecting kids, which is the biggest disappointment for me.

I have not lost my federal job and hopefully I won’t, but stress has made it hard for me to sleep as well. I talked to my doctor about it and she recommended melatonin. I tried it (just 1.5 mg to start with) and really loved how much it helped me get rest. When I’m not sleeping everything else is so much harder. I highly recommend trying melatonin and / or talking to your doctor.