My husband is a federal employee and it makes me righteously indignant when the general public assumes all federal employees make $100,000 a year. I wish!! My husband is a good man, who works hard for what he earns. He appreciates having a job, never calls in sick, always shows up on time, and frankly works his butt off to support his family. He works overtime when asked and does job that some might think were beneath them. Yes, he makes a decent wage, but a large chuck of that goes towards federal taxes, medicare, medical, vision, and dental insurance, social security, and a small retirement savings plan. There are those who assume we don't live within our means. We pay rent and utilities, buy groceries and clothes for for three growing teenage boys, purchase fuel for the vehicles, and do occasional house and vehicle maintenance. We drive a 7-year-old pick-up truck and borrow my parents van from time to time. How are we overspending? Unlike the government - we can't print more money or live beyond our budget. We have been given advice to make cuts in our spending - not to go out to movies or dinner, bring lunch from home, cut out extras (i.e. premium cable channels) - but why do we have to make sacrifices when Congress doesn't? We were also told to FIND money - take a second job or sell unwanted items. Any one want a 1996 Bayliner Capri Bowrider boat?
It also makes me mad when talk show hosts like Rush Limbaugh poo-poo the fears of us federal workers. Yes, I know there is a lot of fear mongering going on at there on both sides of the aisle, I also understand there is a lot of misinformation floating around, i.e. teachers losing their jobs, and police and firefighters losing their job - when that is not possible, since their salaries are controlled by state and local taxes and not the federal government. However, what about those who work supporting our armed forces?
Why the cuts in our wages? Why not cuts in foreign aid, especially those countries who want to destroy us? What about no free rides for those who are in this county illegally? Now, before I am called a racist or worse - I have ZERO problem with immigration. America is the great melting pot - my problem is ILLEGAL immigration. And I don't think taxpayers should pay for food stamps, medical, housing, schools, etc. for those who are breaking the law. Period.
Yes, I am worried. I am worried how to pay for the surgery I had in January. I am worried about feeding the boys, although if furloughs hit, our income could be reduced enough to qualify for reduced school lunch. How's that hope and change?
Yes, the federal government must get a handle on spending and it is well past time that the President begin working with Congress to find real budget solutions, but why take it out on those of us who work hard at keeping America running?