The arrogance and entitlement of govt employees is startling

rab79 said:

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HollywoodBQ said:

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TommyBrady said:

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Blessed to have 2 years of expenses covered if I were to lose all income. Make less than $100k a year but I live within my means.

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How are you even on this board under $200k? LOL

Seriously though, nice work.

One of the problems of earning a high wage is trying to find another job at that same wage. But... teaching HS Math is looking more and more attractive all the time.

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One daughter teaches, it isn't the teaching that is the problem it is all the bs red tape that goes along with the job. Of course she has classes that only the self motivated students sign up for.

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I know it all too well.

I sat down last night with my favorite teacher with 4 decades of experience and watched her fill out the new flavor of the week forms which have zero to do with teaching kids Math. But... the Administration wants it done this way so... you have to do it, I guess.

Unfortunately, she's been teaching on the wrong side of the tracks with kids who want to sleep in class and eat the Takis they brought instead of learn anything that could improve their financial future.

What people need to understand is that Democrats are voting against their own budget. The Republicans are doing a very bad job of messaging this. This budget was the Schumer/Biden budget. They are voting no against themselves because it is politically useful.

As a fellow federal government employee deemed essential, as is my husband, the most frustrating part about many of these replies is there is no empathy. I was a 20-something one time living by myself in DC, and I was living paycheck to paycheck. When we went through the Obama shutdown, I came close to asking my parents for money to pay for my rent. The DC area is expensive. I no longer live there, but I still live in a very expensive metro area and if you're not married and have 1 single income it's damn hard to get a savings. And prior to the shutdown, many employees do not have to take out loans, or pull from their TSP. But missing 2.5-ish paychecks in this economy? Living in expensive areas? My husband and I were fine during the 2019 Trump shutdown, but realized another one could last even longer so even though we're bleeding money with mortgage, daycare, etc - we are fine. But for the new employees starting out - who maybe didn't have the chance to build a security system for themselves? So many other financial circumstances. And many don't leave and quit - especially in the agency my husband and I work for- because they care too much about wanting to protect this country. Too idealistic? Probably. But the people I work alongside are truly passionate about their mission.

Lack of empathy is a huge issue in this country and it didn't start with the government shutdown. Lack of accountability is even more important and I think that probably has a bit to do with the lack of empathy.

When you tack that general malaise onto the perception (and mostly reality) of DC and government employees, it shouldn't surprise.

PeekingDuck said:

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What people need to understand is that Democrats are voting against their own budget. The Republicans are doing a very bad job of messaging this. This budget was the Schumer/Biden budget. They are voting no against themselves because it is politically useful.

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THIS.

And it is on them. For once, the MSM wasn't entirely carrying Schumer's water. Tapper, Cooper and others were initially affirming outright that it was the Democrats shutting down when the choice was an easy one to just continue the status quo.

But something about the Republicans remains spectacularly unable to message shortly and clearly.

TampaBayAg08 said:

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As a fellow federal government employee deemed essential, as is my husband, the most frustrating part about many of these replies is there is no empathy.

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This is troubling to me too, and one of the reasons I started this thread.

So many keyboard warriors are all "F 'EM" and "FIRE 'EM ALL".

... and then when there is a major cyberattack, those same people will be "My God why didn't we have adequate defenses for this?"

Well, you had all these people willing to work for less because they believed in the mission. But the parties fighting over who to blame made them work for free for months on end so you finally beat the dedication out of them.

You can see it illustrated clearly on this thread.

"This is hard on dedicated federal workers"
"OH YEAH IT'S THE DEMS TO BLAME GO BLAME THEM"
"I'm not assessing blame - just pointing out how we're damaging ourselves"
"SCHUMER IS TO BLAME - CALL HIM - GO MARCH IN THE STREETS - SCREW THE DEMS"

fc2112 said:

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TampaBayAg08 said:

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As a fellow federal government employee deemed essential, as is my husband, the most frustrating part about many of these replies is there is no empathy.

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This is troubling to me too, and one of the reasons I started this thread.

So many keyboard warriors are all "F 'EM" and "FIRE 'EM ALL".

... and then when there is a major cyberattack, those same people will be "My God why didn't we have adequate defenses for this?"

Well, you had all these people willing to work for less because they believed in the mission. But the parties fighting over who to blame made them work for free for months on end so you finally beat the dedication out of them.

You can see it illustrated clearly on this thread.

"This is hard on dedicated federal workers"
"OH YEAH IT'S THE DEMS TO BLAME GO BLAME THEM"
"I'm not assessing blame - just pointing out how we're damaging ourselves"
"SCHUMER IS TO BLAME - CALL HIM - GO MARCH IN THE STREETS - SCREW THE DEMS"

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Do you know what else 'beats the dedication out of workers'?!?! SOCIALISM!!!

Getting what they voted for.

PeekingDuck said:

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Lack of empathy is a huge issue in this country and it didn't start with the government shutdown. Lack of accountability is even more important and I think that probably has a bit to do with the lack of empathy.

When you tack that general malaise onto the perception (and mostly reality) of DC and government employees, it shouldn't surprise.

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This country has the opposite problem: toxic empathy. https://www.booksataglance.com/book-summaries/toxic-empathy-how-the-left-exploits-christian-compassion-by-allie-beth-stuckey/

The biggest issue in our country is not the lack of empathy. It's the combination of the lack of shame and lack of gratitude. Which has resulted in the most warped mindset of entitlement imaginable.

fc2112 said:

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TampaBayAg08 said:

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As a fellow federal government employee deemed essential, as is my husband, the most frustrating part about many of these replies is there is no empathy.

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This is troubling to me too, and one of the reasons I started this thread.

So many keyboard warriors are all "F 'EM" and "FIRE 'EM ALL".

... and then when there is a major cyberattack, those same people will be "My God why didn't we have adequate defenses for this?"

Well, you had all these people willing to work for less because they believed in the mission. But the parties fighting over who to blame made them work for free for months on end so you finally beat the dedication out of them.

You can see it illustrated clearly on this thread.

"This is hard on dedicated federal workers"
"OH YEAH IT'S THE DEMS TO BLAME GO BLAME THEM"
"I'm not assessing blame - just pointing out how we're damaging ourselves"
"SCHUMER IS TO BLAME - CALL HIM - GO MARCH IN THE STREETS - SCREW THE DEMS"

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There have been plenty of folks giving some level of empathy on this thread.

But what would you have people do? Are we to simply roll over and let the Democrats have everything they want to express full empathy?

No.

I think what myself and other federal employees want is for the public to acknowledge:

1. We have no input in the politics of the shutdown.
2. We have no input in the establishment of laws and regulations citizens personally disagree with.
3. We're not beholden to any particular political party on a monolithic basis.
4. We're all not part of a union, and even for those who are - it is the weakest union in history as federal employees by statute can be imprisoned for striking.
5. Even if you fired every federal employee (not military), you would only save ~5% of last year's budget.
6. We are federal tax players too - and unlike other pension systems you hear about, ours is fully self-funded and solvent (personally I support giving up my pension for higher pay or 401k contribution).
7. We're American citizens who follow the law, love our nation, and have families just like you.

I think if most people understand these points than all the edge-lordism over ****ing up federal employees dissipates. My wife says I've become much more optimistic since having our son though so idk ..

I don't have any issue with federal employees. I was one too many years ago when I served.

I do have a huge issue with the Democrats wanting to make permanent an enhanced insurance subsidy that they themselves decided should be temporary when they last passed the legislation.

And I have an even bigger issue with them refusing to fund the government on a temporary basis in an effort to throw a fit to try and get what they want when the votes were already counted during the big bill earlier this year and it was clear they simply didn't have the votes.

That's how democracy is supposed to work. You vote. Sometimes you get what you want and sometimes you don't. They didn't have the votes. It's as simple as that. Win the next election and you might have the votes then.

But to take the government hostage and disrupt the lives of so many people is terrorist behavior. I hope the R's can find the courage to carve out a filibuster exception for the CR and tell the Dems to pound sand. You get nothing for your intransigence!

Thanks.

You describe the type of federal employee that is worth empathy. While I can't say I know any such folks, your first two points I would agree with completely. The problem with 3 and 7 is that while the statement may apply to your and those you know best, it is not absolute. Those are the people that I have difficulty having any empathy for, knowing that they support (via their votes) the policies that have led to this shutdown.

5Amp said:

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Now is the time to nuke the filibuster

It is time.

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Nope. If they nuke the filibuster there would be no obstruction to your ilk authorizing trillions on wealth transfer, dumbass DEI, and your global warming religion.

TampaBayAg08 said:

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As a fellow federal government employee deemed essential, as is my husband, the most frustrating part about many of these replies is there is no empathy. I was a 20-something one time living by myself in DC, and I was living paycheck to paycheck. When we went through the Obama shutdown, I came close to asking my parents for money to pay for my rent. The DC area is expensive. I no longer live there, but I still live in a very expensive metro area and if you're not married and have 1 single income it's damn hard to get a savings. And prior to the shutdown, many employees do not have to take out loans, or pull from their TSP. But missing 2.5-ish paychecks in this economy? Living in expensive areas? My husband and I were fine during the 2019 Trump shutdown, but realized another one could last even longer so even though we're bleeding money with mortgage, daycare, etc - we are fine. But for the new employees starting out - who maybe didn't have the chance to build a security system for themselves? So many other financial circumstances. And many don't leave and quit - especially in the agency my husband and I work for- because they care too much about wanting to protect this country. Too idealistic? Probably. But the people I work alongside are truly passionate about their mission.

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I don't have empathy….because no jobs are forever. No one cries over lost paychecks when the peace dividend hits and military contractors are laid off, or bad energy policy slow oil and gas production down and those folks loose their jobs, or the coal folks or the timber harvesting folks…..nope no one sheds a tear. I worked 25 years in O&G and witness many up/down cycles.

When employees that work for an entity that is fat with over paid employees that is not profitable …….will only be able to get a few loans until they go bankrupted.

It is undeniable our government is wayyyyyyy to fat, expensive and now that we have done away with a bunch of agencies……life goes on and the economy is getting better.

And those poor *******s (me) if we lose our government…..we will have to potentially move elsewhere. I will give no empathy to an employee whose job is subsidized by taxes.

Azeew said:

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5Amp said:

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Now is the time to nuke the filibuster

It is time.

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Nope. If they nuke the filibuster there would be no obstruction to your ilk authorizing trillions on wealth transfer, dumbass DEI, and your global warming religion.

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Nukung the filibuster is the correct move. Get as much done as possible. Since when did the democrats care about rules.

Quote:

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1. We have no input in the politics of the shutdown.
2. We have no input in the establishment of laws and regulations citizens personally disagree with.

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Well now, I suppose Fed Employees did not have the opportunity to vote in the same election process I did. I don't like the shutdown, and I darned sure don't like hostage taking- which is what the Democrats are doing.

I would prefer a clean CR not kicking the can down the road into the 2026 election cycle as Shummer would like to do.

fc2112 said:

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I love it. "If you're not willing to assign blame, you're just yelling at the clouds".

I'm just pointing out the reality of what real people are dealing with right now.

Those in power need to reach a compromise, that great virtue of American government that has served us so well for 250 years. Alas, blame is more fun and helps you feel more self righteous.

And keep in mind - the difference is these employees do NOT have the option of not performing their job. As I said, the bad guys are not stopping for the shutdown. So We The People need them to serve us but are not bothering to pay them.

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A compromise happens when two sides in a negotiation get something that the other side doesn't necessarily want them to get. What exactly are the republicans asking for that the democrats do not want to give them?

The republicans have made the mistake of assuming that the people in this country would be smart enough to figure this out on their own. But here you are asking for "compromise" where by definition, none can happen. As usual we see the dumbing down of America on full display.

Ol_Ag_02 said:

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Your beef is with the Democrats, sir.

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This x1000.

To fund my agency, YOU pay $3. I have worked nights, weekends, holidays - double shifts on Christmas - missed countless important life events because I wanted to protect fellow Americans. I believe in our mission. And if you want to abolish my agency, I can tell you right now private sector will absolutely not do things as well because they'll only "protect" major metro areas... if you can even call it protecting. I'm not asking for empathy on everything I have missed in my career so far because I chose that, my husband chose it. We did it because we love our country that much. It really is disheartening that I've spent 17 years thinking I've put in so much time, passion and effort for my fellow Americans - and we're in this ridiculous situation where we are pawns and having to show up to work and not get paid - and so many people in this thread and on this message board does not care.

I truly empathize with private sector and the layoffs they go through. I did look into private sector when I figured, as a new mother having gone through a C-section and severe pre-eclampsia, that I was going to need to look for new jobs. All my fellow Aggies that went into the private sector said it's unstable, they were also worried about being laid off. That's an awful way to live - being in that kind of limbo. Im not trying to give them special treatment, all I'm doing is acknowledging it's a terrible situation and I hate that for them - even when they're all hard working and also care about what they do.

Every time I come onto this corner of Texags - it's pretty crappy, knowing fellow Aggies are not only having lack of sympathy, but actively rooting for how Aggies and others are being treated. We've lost our way as a society. I've given so much of my career to caring for the safety of all of you with the nature of my jobs, but that doesn't matter. "To fat", as you say.

Everyone gets to choose their employer. Everyone is forced to pay taxes.

You might start to see why there is a difference of opinion on how those taxes are spent.

I have spent 34 years helping society so have many others. We the true tax payers are tired of the bloated government. The top 10% are carrying this country while many live off the backs of others. You are caught in the crossfire. It sucks but maybe have sympathy for those of us that get ass raped by the fed income tax system.

I also would love to see your math of $3.00

Your attitude is terrible. 'Look at all the cancelled vacations I've sacrificed for my country' -boo hoo.

I'm a civil servant and not getting paid. This shutdown is not a burden. I was expected to come into work every day before the shutdown and I'm expected to come into work every day during the shutdown. Nothing has changed there.

On the financial side, Texas is paying unemployment to civil servants right now and my credit union has zero percent interest loans for any civil servants with direct deposit with them. Food pantries were even set up at our rec center for anyone who feels the need to virtue signal.

TampaBayAg08 said:

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To fund my agency, YOU pay $3. I have worked nights, weekends, holidays - double shifts on Christmas - missed countless important life events because I wanted to protect fellow Americans. I believe in our mission. And if you want to abolish my agency, I can tell you right now private sector will absolutely not do things as well because they'll only "protect" major metro areas... if you can even call it protecting. I'm not asking for empathy on everything I have missed in my career so far because I chose that, my husband chose it. We did it because we love our country that much. It really is disheartening that I've spent 17 years thinking I've put in so much time, passion and effort for my fellow Americans - and we're in this ridiculous situation where we are pawns and having to show up to work and not get paid - and so many people in this thread and on this message board does not care.

I truly empathize with private sector and the layoffs they go through. I did look into private sector when I figured, as a new mother having gone through a C-section and severe pre-eclampsia, that I was going to need to look for new jobs. All my fellow Aggies that went into the private sector said it's unstable, they were also worried about being laid off. That's an awful way to live - being in that kind of limbo. Im not trying to give them special treatment, all I'm doing is acknowledging it's a terrible situation and I hate that for them - even when they're all hard working and also care about what they do.

Every time I come onto this corner of Texags - it's pretty crappy, knowing fellow Aggies are not only having lack of sympathy, but actively rooting for how Aggies and others are being treated. We've lost our way as a society. I've given so much of my career to caring for the safety of all of you with the nature of my jobs, but that doesn't matter. "To fat", as you say.

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Cry some more. I promise you that you and your spouse are not actually critical. You could eliminate 90% of federal civilian employees and nobody actually paying for this bs would even notice. You don't want to deal with it quit and join the private sector.

I am a former fed Leo by the way. You could eliminate most of them as well.

I am sympathetic for your situation. Are you, your husband, your children, your friends, and your neighbors marching in the street demanding that Democrats vote yes to opening the government back up. Action is needed....not words.

evestor1 said:

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When private sector workers were laid off and had no hopes of backpay in 2020 the same federal workers collected checks and sat on their couch for 18 months.


to answer your question - i dont care

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The Golden rule sport

Private sector gets paid a lot more than the government.

Regardless
It was bad for you it's bad for them. And yes the commies are enemies and traitors but for some unknown and stupid reason so many people keep voting for them

Mr.Milkshake said:

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The arrogance and entitlement of govt employees is startling

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Imagine wanting to get paid for your work.

TampaBayAg08 said:

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As a fellow federal government employee deemed essential, as is my husband, the most frustrating part about many of these replies is there is no empathy. I was a 20-something one time living by myself in DC, and I was living paycheck to paycheck. When we went through the Obama shutdown, I came close to asking my parents for money to pay for my rent. The DC area is expensive. I no longer live there, but I still live in a very expensive metro area and if you're not married and have 1 single income it's damn hard to get a savings. And prior to the shutdown, many employees do not have to take out loans, or pull from their TSP. But missing 2.5-ish paychecks in this economy? Living in expensive areas? My husband and I were fine during the 2019 Trump shutdown, but realized another one could last even longer so even though we're bleeding money with mortgage, daycare, etc - we are fine. But for the new employees starting out - who maybe didn't have the chance to build a security system for themselves? So many other financial circumstances. And many don't leave and quit - especially in the agency my husband and I work for- because they care too much about wanting to protect this country. Too idealistic? Probably. But the people I work alongside are truly passionate about their mission.

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Most federal employees do not "protect this country" nor do most federal employees have a mission to be passionate about that is beneficial to anyone.

Choosing a job where shutdowns are possible while living in an expensive area with little or nothing to fall back on is not an intelligent decision.

Daddy said:

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evestor1 said:

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When private sector workers were laid off and had no hopes of backpay in 2020 the same federal workers collected checks and sat on their couch for 18 months.


to answer your question - i dont care

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The Golden rule sport

Private sector gets paid a lot more than the government.

Regardless
It was bad for you it's bad for them. And yes the commies are enemies and traitors but for some unknown and stupid reason so many people keep voting for them

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lol. Feds get paid a LOT more than private sector at a minimum. And they usually work 37.5 hours per week and have insane benefits.

ThunderCougarFalconBird said:

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lol. Feds get paid a LOT more than private sector at a minimum. And they usually work 37.5 hours per week and have insane benefits.

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Bull ****

Cybersecurity analysts with 10+ years experience in government - $100,000+
Cybersecurity analysts with 10+ years experience for major defense contractor - $200,000+

fc2112 said:

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TampaBayAg08 said:

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As a fellow federal government employee deemed essential, as is my husband, the most frustrating part about many of these replies is there is no empathy.

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This is troubling to me too, and one of the reasons I started this thread.

So many keyboard warriors are all "F 'EM" and "FIRE 'EM ALL".

... and then when there is a major cyberattack, those same people will be "My God why didn't we have adequate defenses for this?"

Well, you had all these people willing to work for less because they believed in the mission. But the parties fighting over who to blame made them work for free for months on end so you finally beat the dedication out of them.

You can see it illustrated clearly on this thread.

"This is hard on dedicated federal workers"
"OH YEAH IT'S THE DEMS TO BLAME GO BLAME THEM"
"I'm not assessing blame - just pointing out how we're damaging ourselves"
"SCHUMER IS TO BLAME - CALL HIM - GO MARCH IN THE STREETS - SCREW THE DEMS"

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Federal employees overwhelmingly vote Dem. It's hard to be empathetic to people who make their own bed and complain about the lack of blankets.