I don't quite understand the 'belt tightening' - no one is taking a pay increase and inflation is non-existant.
Justamomof4, If this is in regard to my statement, I hope that you please note that I was talking about my own (and Pima's) personal situation (3rd kid entering college soon, car needing to be replaced / added as more drivers in the family, stuff like that), and was not talking about the situation for ALL federal employees. Thus the words: "Guess I'll have to tighten my belt..."
However, life goes on and people do tend to want to do just a little better every year than the year before. Those raises will be missed, as I had plans for them. Oh well, guess I'll have to put off that new patio a few more years.
As to inflation being stagnant, I guess you haven't pumped gas in a month or so. 20% increase since the summer. Ouch! And unless these gas prices fall drastically again as they did several years back, those fuel costs will only be passed down in a rippling effect. I think as the economy staggers forward, increased inflation is only right behind the corner....
-- Edited by Bullet on Thursday 2nd of December 2010 10:02:35 AM
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You can't handle the truth! Son, we live in a world that has walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with guns. Whose gonna do it? You? I have a greater responsibility than you could possibly fathom.
Federal employees will still receive step increases. I think this is the next income benefit that will be cut for government worker, federal, state, police, fire and teachers. I have seen both R's and D's speak out against these longevity raises for some time now. You would be surprised how much of a difference these pay increases make.
I was actually wondering about this. Federal pay is based on a matrix of step and position - similar to teacher's contracts. Move another step and you get an automatic longevity raise. Hence, many people will actually get a raise - just not as big a raise.
I don't quite understand the 'belt tightening' - no one is taking a pay increase and inflation is non-existant.
Won't the gov't do what it always does in 3 years time if the economy is better? When the pay freeze is over won't the workers fight to have their compensation upped by the normal amount plus try to gain back what was lost during the freeze? I can easily see this happening. It isn't going to be so much of a freeze as it is a delay. Instead of x% increase they'll get x%+1% until they make up the 5% they "lost". Wait, watch and see... Yes, I'm very cynical about all of this...
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Don't make someone in your life a priority when they've made you an option!
For all those who are not intimately aware of the pay raises for fed. employees, it has been for yrs 0.5% below COLA. SO if COLA is 3% the fed employee gets 2.5%. For a fed employee that has been doing this for 5 yrs, it means every yr their salary is deterioriating.
Sorry. This isn't directed at you pima and I know you aren't complaining but for those of us lucky enough to still have a job and particularly those who don't. We don't really give a rat's ass that the gov't workers salary is deteriorating. I, like so many others, am making less now than I was 3 years ago. There have been no raises and no bonuses since '07. Literally my W-2 is smaller now than 3 years ago so I have little sympathy. I'm not complaining and like where I work but I don't feel sorry for them (I do feel sorry for you though pima )
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Don't make someone in your life a priority when they've made you an option!
Actually, govt pensions for new hires have gone the way of buh-bye.
It is a modified 401K program.
The problem with govt employees is unless they kill someone, that job is theirs for as long as they want after their probationary period is over.
Obama has demanded that the majority of contractor jobs be converted to govt. This will cause long term costs that will appear long after his tenure as President is over.
The govt did pay more for that guy at the desk in the short term because of contracting, but in the long term the govt actually saved money because they are not paying for health care or retirement. It was nothing more than a shell game when he did this option.
I heard an interesting premise on Randi Rhodes of why he called for this freeze. He needed to because he is increasing the size of the federal govt and thus, to keep the numbers from ballooning he did the pay freeze.
For all those who are not intimately aware of the pay raises for fed. employees, it has been for yrs 0.5% below COLA. SO if COLA is 3% the fed employee gets 2.5%. For a fed employee that has been doing this for 5 yrs, it means every yr their salary is deterioriating.
If you follow the media they talk about how the avg salary of a fed employee has increased dramatically over the past few years, however, they never say that is because they have converted contractor jobs to fed. Obviously, as you convert these jobs, mainly sr. mgmt to govt, you will raise the median salary.
-- Edited by pima on Wednesday 1st of December 2010 07:13:53 AM
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Raising a teenager is like nailing Jello to a tree
Unions are a counter to collusion among employers.
And don't give me any "magic of the marketplace" crap.
Those who can attain power, whether management or labor, use it to gain advantage. This may be written in human DNA, a legacy from our primate forebears.
If the US labor market were "free", CEO compensation would be closer to world norms. Almost all CEO's are "hired guns", not founders or entrepreneurs.
Unions are a counter to collusion among employers.
And don't give me any "magic of the marketplace" crap.
Those who can attain power, whether management or labor, use it to gain advantage. This may be written in human DNA, a legacy from our primate forebears.
If the US labor market were "free", CEO compensation would be closer to world norms. Almost all CEO's are "hired guns", not founders or entrepreneurs.
Like most things the majority of people do not know all the facts/details of other peoples compensation or how the government or private employer pays. What we know is that we are underpaid and the other guy is overpaid.
1) Unionized positions are overpaid. That's the entire purpose of the union. 2) I don't have a problem with government pay. I have a problem with government pension. It doesn't exist in private industry anymore - it shouldn't exist in government either. No new hire gets a pension. Period. Local/State/Federal.
Like most things the majority of people do not know all the facts/details of other peoples compensation or how the government or private employer pays. What we know is that we are underpaid and the other guy is overpaid.
I think it was a great move. Many companies (including my employer) have frozen wages. At our hospital they have been frozen now for 2 years. Many people have lost jobs. Federal employees have recently come under a lot of criticism for the supposed high salaries they make. This move makes a lot of sense. Not saying it's going to benefit the economy but it it was smart strategy on Obama's part.
Federal employees will still receive step increases. I think this is the next income benefit that will be cut for government worker, federal, state, police, fire and teachers. I have seen both R's and D's speak out against these longevity raises for some time now. You would be surprised how much of a difference these pay increases make.
As Bullets wife, I guess it means for me I will be cutting more coupons.
Honestly, I am okay with this because nobody can ever look me in the face and ask what I am willing to pay. Obviously the answer is clear, a PAY RAISE.
I will spit nails if in the next 2 yrs Congress gives themselves a pay raise. I remember back in the early 90's when Congress gave themselves a 50% pay increase while they gave the military who were sitting in a sandbox a 2% increase. That was the 1st yr I voted against every incumbent regardless of their party.
Woodwork, alot of people don't know how hard it is to get BUDS, for those that don't it is like graduating as the valedictorian of your college, not hs, college. What an amazing thing. Amazing is under-playing the statement. My best hopes and thoughts for him.
Please thank him from us for serving our country.
We were very fortunate back in 94 to live next door to the commander of the Seal team that Black Hawk Down was based on. He was so down to earth and humble, we didn't know he was the Commander until many months later when SOD Perry awarded him the Navy Cross. His wife didn't know he was there until they recited his actions.
Seals actually even have their letters read prior to handing them over to the family, and anything that might give the illusion of where they are at are redacted. I remember being at their home while he was gone, a Chevy Tahoe pulled up, and handed his wife a letter, she handed him a letter. She came back in and said that was the mailman. I looked at her in confusion and she said that is how I get the mail from Eric.
It is a hard life. Just imagine never being able to talk about your job and how hard that is.
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Raising a teenager is like nailing Jello to a tree
Governments and populace have bigger problems than STEM degree'd people. That's why STEM will be affected. Then there are some countries that will sell their student loan bonds to attract the best to their universities and companies.
We're concerned if we should file for SS benefits in 2011 or wait until 2012. DS has another never years before SS eligibility. He works at an university in STEM.
Yes, our SS and Medicare is more important than his future employment.
-- Edited by longprime on Monday 29th of November 2010 11:37:39 PM
I can't imagine how proud you and your family must be of your nephew! Sounds like an awesome individual (note I didn't say "kid"; anyone worthy enough to be accepted to BUDS is NEVER a kid in my eyes).
He has my upmost repsect for his dreams, his dedication, and his drive. Wish him godspeed and best of luck form all of us. BUDS has to be one of the most physically and mentally challenging experieinces any indivudual could ever experience. Most, including myself, would never even consider it; just too tough for this old flyer!
As to not getting any pay raises for a while? Oh well. But it does get me curious to see f Lockheed or Beoing are hiring. Just don't like to sell my soul for a cheap buck!
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You can't handle the truth! Son, we live in a world that has walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with guns. Whose gonna do it? You? I have a greater responsibility than you could possibly fathom.
Bullet, you do have my sincere sympathies here. It may be good for the country, at least symbolically, but I tend to prioritize friends and family first.
Fwiw, knowing you are military, my nephew, a recent Michigan grade (with honors) was just accepted into the BUD/s program for the Navy seals. He’s been working towards it for 2 years. It’s been his dream since high school. We are all of course proud of him…though worried. He’s an amazing kid.
Best of luck over the next couple years to you and your family.
As one who is impacted by this decision, I have to (reluctantly, for my own selfish reasons) agree with it.
Guess I'll have to tighten my belt just like a lot of others in the country. And THAT is why I can agree with it. Tough to talk about everyone making sacrifices if you aren't willing to make some for yourself.
Now, if we can get CONGRESS to also ensure a pay freeze for themselves, that would be something...
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You can't handle the truth! Son, we live in a world that has walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with guns. Whose gonna do it? You? I have a greater responsibility than you could possibly fathom.
A very savy move by the president. Chris Christie-ish, I'd say.
It will now give a great many Republicans some pause. They will now need to reconsider the cagey political skills of their opponent down-on-his-luck while imagining they are simply going to run him down. Obama is neither stupid nor naive...not by a long shot...and he would like to get re-elected with or without congress. Shakes things up a bit. Well done! Symbolic but the presidency is largely symbolic to most voters. It is at least Clintonesque, if not Christiesque.
Governments and populace have bigger problems than STEM degree'd people. That's why STEM will be affected. Then there are some countries that will sell their student loan bonds to attract the best to their universities and companies.
We're concerned if we should file for SS benefits in 2011 or wait until 2012. DS has another never years before SS eligibility. He works at an university in STEM.
Yes, our SS and Medicare is more important than his future employment.
-- Edited by longprime on Monday 29th of November 2010 11:37:39 PM
Payne, We have seen budget controls in Bill's era, W's era, and we won't see it happen in Obama's era? Don't you remember the posts in CC in the mid 2000's?
Obama froze many agency and department budgets in his first budget. If the R's and TP's mean what they say in 2010, this time, there's a good chance it will happen in 2011. The Tp's will hold the R's to their promise.
What do you say of the future?
I think you are being a bit chicken little when governments the world over are going to be cutting spending, don't you think?
We have far bigger problems related to PhD/MS/BS in the STEM fields.
Payne, We have seen budget controls in Bill's era, W's era, and we won't see it happen in Obama's era? Don't you remember the posts in CC in the mid 2000's?
Obama froze many agency and department budgets in his first budget. If the R's and TP's mean what they say in 2010, this time, there's a good chance it will happen in 2011. The Tp's will hold the R's to their promise.
Newly minted phD's, MS, and BS in STEM programs will be hit. In the name of shortterm budget goals and deficit reduction, we may see R & D go to those countries who we already owe $ to.
-- Edited by longprime on Monday 29th of November 2010 07:27:49 PM
Newly minted phD's, MS, and BS in STEM programs will be hit. In the name of shortterm budget goals and deficit reduction, we may see R & D go to those countries who we already owe $ to.
-- Edited by longprime on Monday 29th of November 2010 07:27:49 PM
[quote=romanigypsyeyes]I know there's a reason for this, but I can't think of it... why wouldn't this affect Congress? Is it because they set their own salaries, or is it simply for the heck of it?
Congress is one leg of the Government platform. The President, by Constitution, has little control over Congress.
-- Edited by longprime on Monday 29th of November 2010 07:13:18 PM
Good move by the President. Most states have pay freezes in place. It only makes sense for the federal government employees to also experience a pay freeze.
I know there's a reason for this, but I can't think of it... why wouldn't this affect Congress? Is it because they set their own salaries, or is it simply for the heck of it?
I say we make Congress work for the average income and benefits of either the country, their state, or their district. Remind them what it's like to live in America.
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