Furlough Q: Are You (or DH) "Essential"?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My buddy who is in with the Repugg's big cheeses told me it was very unlikely that they would agree to back pay on this occasion, so I wouldn't hold my breath.

It would cause a revolt if they did backpay right now. It is hard to justify paying people when they are at home sitting on their buttocks. It is different if everyone is working, but how can you tell taxpayers they are going to reimburse people for doing nothing?

What are you talking about? People didn't choose to sit home. It's hard to justify sending 800,000 people home without any paychecks and the ripple effect means more economic trouble for many other Americans. Federal workers didn't cause this situation. The fact that Congress will be paid throughout the shutdown, particularly given that they are currently on vacation, is a total outrage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My buddy who is in with the Repugg's big cheeses told me it was very unlikely that they would agree to back pay on this occasion, so I wouldn't hold my breath.

It would cause a revolt if they did backpay right now. It is hard to justify paying people when they are at home sitting on their buttocks. It is different if everyone is working, but how can you tell taxpayers they are going to reimburse people for doing nothing?

What are you talking about? People didn't choose to sit home. It's hard to justify sending 800,000 people home without any paychecks and the ripple effect means more economic trouble for many other Americans. Federal workers didn't cause this situation. The fact that Congress will be paid throughout the shutdown, particularly given that they are currently on vacation, is a total outrage.

Lots of people have gotten laid off in the last two years and they didn't choose the situation either. For the last two years, I've watched all of the government workers pat themselves on the back and be all smug about job security. Now all of the government workers are worried about paying their bills. Gee, it hurts when the shoe is on the other foot.

You are right, the goverment workers didn't choose this situation, but it is a sign of the times.

[Anonymous]

Yes. All Patent Examiners were deemed essential during the last Gov shutdown back in '96.

I think it is more because the PTO generates their own fees...which by the way Congress is always trying to divert to support other agencies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lots of people have gotten laid off in the last two years and they didn't choose the situation either. For the last two years, I've watched all of the government workers pat themselves on the back and be all smug about job security. Now all of the government workers are worried about paying their bills. Gee, it hurts when the shoe is on the other foot.

You are right, the goverment workers didn't choose this situation, but it is a sign of the times.

Misery loves company, eh? Except there's a difference. Most Federal workers made a choice when they took their jobs. They sacrificed higher private sector pay for better benefits and more job security. Those who chose to go private, did so knowing their higher pay came with additional risk. Interesting that this never comes up in the Republican rhetoric about public employees.

In any event, i'll take the occasional shutdown threat over the risk of permanent lay-offs. Do I want to take an unpaid vacation? No, but I'm still quite happy with my choice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lots of people have gotten laid off in the last two years and they didn't choose the situation either. For the last two years, I've watched all of the government workers pat themselves on the back and be all smug about job security. Now all of the government workers are worried about paying their bills. Gee, it hurts when the shoe is on the other foot.

You are right, the goverment workers didn't choose this situation, but it is a sign of the times.

Misery loves company, eh? Except there's a difference. Most Federal workers made a choice when they took their jobs. They sacrificed higher private sector pay for better benefits and more job security. Those who chose to go private, did so knowing their higher pay came with additional risk. Interesting that this never comes up in the Republican rhetoric about public employees.

In any event, i'll take the occasional shutdown threat over the risk of permanent lay-offs. Do I want to take an unpaid vacation? No, but I'm still quite happy with my choice.

We can't all work for the government: unless you think the government should keep growing? I'm sorry, but your argument is ignorant.

[Anonymous]

I'm essential, but not comfortable saying where I work.

For those worried about their payhecks, most people think a shutdown wouldn't go beyond one or two weeks, at most. The longest shutdown so far was those two weeks in 1995. Back in 1995, when average citizens realized they couldn't get passports, or apply for Social Security, or get small business loans, they got really mad - at the Republicans, not at the democratic administration.

Boehner and company seem to realize that their party's reputation could take another nose-dive, like in 1995. The problem for Boehner is reigning in some of the newer fundamentalists. But a big segment of the republican party wants to avoid a shut-down and a repeat of 1995.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Lots of people have gotten laid off in the last two years and they didn't choose the situation either. For the last two years, I've watched all of the government workers pat themselves on the back and be all smug about job security. Now all of the government workers are worried about paying their bills. Gee, it hurts when the shoe is on the other foot.

What an asshole.

But this shows how successful the republicans have been - they have deflected the blame for the crisis away from the Wall Street fraudsters that caused it onto the ordinary public servants who have done nothing wrong. In fact, a stronger government would have prevented the abuses that led to the crisis. Instead, the republicans are trying to defund the very institutions that could prevent the next crisis.

I always used to despise Marxist theory as infantile but the kleptocrats really do seem to have created a hegemony and false consciousness here. This country is going to the dogs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lots of people have gotten laid off in the last two years and they didn't choose the situation either. For the last two years, I've watched all of the government workers pat themselves on the back and be all smug about job security. Now all of the government workers are worried about paying their bills. Gee, it hurts when the shoe is on the other foot.

You are right, the goverment workers didn't choose this situation, but it is a sign of the times.

Misery loves company, eh? Except there's a difference. Most Federal workers made a choice when they took their jobs. They sacrificed higher private sector pay for better benefits and more job security. Those who chose to go private, did so knowing their higher pay came with additional risk. Interesting that this never comes up in the Republican rhetoric about public employees.

In any event, i'll take the occasional shutdown threat over the risk of permanent lay-offs. Do I want to take an unpaid vacation? No, but I'm still quite happy with my choice.

We can't all work for the government: unless you think the government should keep growing? I'm sorry, but your argument is ignorant.

Um, who said everyone should work for the government?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Lots of people have gotten laid off in the last two years and they didn't choose the situation either. For the last two years, I've watched all of the government workers pat themselves on the back and be all smug about job security. Now all of the government workers are worried about paying their bills. Gee, it hurts when the shoe is on the other foot.

But this shows how successful the republicans have been - they have deflected the blame for the crisis away from the Wall Street fraudsters that caused it onto the ordinary public servants who have done nothing wrong. In fact, a stronger government would have prevented the abuses that led to the crisis. Instead, the republicans are trying to defund the very institutions that could prevent the next crisis.

I always used to despise Marxist theory as infantile but the kleptocrats really do seem to have created a hegemony and false consciousness here. This country is going to the dogs.

+1
The book "What's the Mattter with Kansas" touches on this topic. The Republican have been uber successful at conveying the image that they are the party of the average voter when they serve only the interests of a large corporations and Wall Street. Meanwhile, the average Republican voter votes against his interest, thinking that his/her vote means that someday s/he will be filthy rich and/or above the law.

[Anonymous]

OP, at my agency they haven't yet decided who is essential and who is not. I was told that I'd be deemed essential because of a particular project on which I'm working, but I'll believe it when I see it in writing and from someone who actually has the authority to decide.

[Anonymous]

If it is like last time, Agencies really dont know yet. Last time each Agency essentially tried to call everyone essential. The Agencies are working this out with OPM.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If it is like last time, Agencies really dont know yet. Last time each Agency essentially tried to call everyone essential. The Agencies are working this out with OPM.

I'm hoping that anyone who authorizes funding is considered essential. Otherwise, money will not be leaving our agency and is going to shut down many businesses.

[Anonymous]

So essential employees will continue to get paid? I just thought they'd be required to continue working, but without a paycheck. (my DH is essential).

[Anonymous]

I cannot fathom that I would be considered essential as I work for an agency that generally protects the rights of federal employees. DH is at DHS but in an office that I also can't imagine would be considered essential. I'm optimistic that there won't be a shutdown (for some of the reasons PPs have mentioned), or maybe I'm just in denial. Right now I'm most irritated by the fact that Congress stayed away this week with all of this looming.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Right now I'm most irritated by the fact that Congress stayed away this week with all of this looming.

Yeah, no kidding. What's up with that?