Sacrifice
Times are tough. Want to know how tough? The President is planning on preventing raises in pay for Federal employees of the US Government for two years.
I mention this because it's part of a larger story. Social Security hasn't had a cost-of-living adjustment for two years. VA disability payments haven't increased either because the two are linked. Interesting. I remember President Clinton denying federal employees a raise one year in the early 1990's under authority he had. If I remember the story right, it was because the country was in the red. It was only a matter of time before this happened. It affects me because I work for the Government.
I haven't been talking about social issues lately. I've been a little focused on the things happening in and around my life but I think this is important to discuss, and it may surprise you the position I'm going to take on this. I agree.
If we can't justify increasing fixed-income payments for the elderly and those who suffer disabilities as a result of their service to our country, then how should I justify my pay raise? I think it's time we start asking EVERYBODY to sacrifice. I mean that.
Before everyone jumps to the conclusion that I'm climbing on the Tea Bag express, let me assure you, I'm not. I disagree with the notion that it's not in the interest of promoting the general welfare (seem to remember reading these words someplace...) for this country to fix its broken healthcare system.
Some gripe about the size and scope of Government. I'm curious though about what government programs we could live without. It seems to me that most of the programs we have actually have a reason for their existence. I liken Government to working on airplanes in the Air Force. In the Air Force there are rules for just about everything and almost all of them can be traced back to one or two individuals doing something that got them hurt or damaged an airplane. It seems to me that most Government regulation exists to prevent people from taking advantage of others.
Let's talk too about health care. My pay raise this year was just about 43 cents (I hate it my computer doesn't have a cents character) an hour. That's about $34 per pay period. My health insurance premium went up $14.14 per pay period. My deductible on this plan went up $50 for self, and $100 for family total. I was one of the lucky ones. If you're a federal employee and had Altius, that premium increased almost $28 a pay period. That little raise gets beat up pretty good by health insurance premiums and I'm wondering if our insurance companies are going to hold the line on premiums for the next two years that I don't get a raise so at least I don't lose money on the deal.
I mention this because it's part of a larger story. Social Security hasn't had a cost-of-living adjustment for two years. VA disability payments haven't increased either because the two are linked. Interesting. I remember President Clinton denying federal employees a raise one year in the early 1990's under authority he had. If I remember the story right, it was because the country was in the red. It was only a matter of time before this happened. It affects me because I work for the Government.
I haven't been talking about social issues lately. I've been a little focused on the things happening in and around my life but I think this is important to discuss, and it may surprise you the position I'm going to take on this. I agree.
If we can't justify increasing fixed-income payments for the elderly and those who suffer disabilities as a result of their service to our country, then how should I justify my pay raise? I think it's time we start asking EVERYBODY to sacrifice. I mean that.
Before everyone jumps to the conclusion that I'm climbing on the Tea Bag express, let me assure you, I'm not. I disagree with the notion that it's not in the interest of promoting the general welfare (seem to remember reading these words someplace...) for this country to fix its broken healthcare system.
Some gripe about the size and scope of Government. I'm curious though about what government programs we could live without. It seems to me that most of the programs we have actually have a reason for their existence. I liken Government to working on airplanes in the Air Force. In the Air Force there are rules for just about everything and almost all of them can be traced back to one or two individuals doing something that got them hurt or damaged an airplane. It seems to me that most Government regulation exists to prevent people from taking advantage of others.
Let's talk too about health care. My pay raise this year was just about 43 cents (I hate it my computer doesn't have a cents character) an hour. That's about $34 per pay period. My health insurance premium went up $14.14 per pay period. My deductible on this plan went up $50 for self, and $100 for family total. I was one of the lucky ones. If you're a federal employee and had Altius, that premium increased almost $28 a pay period. That little raise gets beat up pretty good by health insurance premiums and I'm wondering if our insurance companies are going to hold the line on premiums for the next two years that I don't get a raise so at least I don't lose money on the deal.
Folks, we've financed two wars in this country on our credit card and now the bill is coming due. We can't continue to keep borrowing money. At some point either we as a people have to make some choices about what parts of government we can live without or we're going to have to start paying more to make it work.
It's time to let the Bush tax cuts expire. Don't give me this crap about the people with the most money creating all the jobs. If that were true, then the Bush tax cuts should have prevented the economic mess that HE left us when he left office. I'm disappointed in Mr. Obama myself and I voted for him. But, rich people, where are the jobs? You want tax cuts, show me the jobs. You didn't create any new jobs? Maybe if I can't have a pay raise, you should pay a little more in taxes to cut down on the red ink.
Seriously, it's time for someone in charge to start taking these issues seriously. I don't mind sacrificing for the common good but I'm reminded of this old chestnut..."For those to whom much is given, much is expected!"
We really gotta start paying some attention to what our politicians are doing with not our money, but our children's and grandchildren's money.
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